I am autistic, and I could not be more proud of that. Childhood struggles I was born in a time that autism was hardly recognized at all, let alone recognized in girls who are hyperlexic and extremely talkative. In the 2020s, most people would hear their pediatrician say “your daughter is not bonded to you”Continue reading “Through the Eyes of an Autistic Therapist”
Author Archives: brookeslemmer
The Neurodiversity Affirming Model: What is it?
Differences are normal. The Neurodiversity affirming model is based on the idea that everyone has differences in the way they think and interact with the world. There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a disability or being neurodivergent. The problems arise when society won’t accommodate for differences in needs. Who is neurodivergent? The term “neurodivergent” refersContinue reading “The Neurodiversity Affirming Model: What is it?”
Music Therapy for Children with Autism
You may have heard about the strong correlation between diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder and a great affinity for music. Many children with autism have been noted to have an echoic memory for music, natural musical ability, or even perfect pitch. So, it should not be surprising to hear that Music Therapy for children withContinue reading “Music Therapy for Children with Autism”
A Sneak Peek at our Summer Parent-and-Me Group
I am so excited to tell you about our Summer Parent-and-Me Group happening Saturdays on Zoom, starting July 2021!
Music for Processing Grief
Last week, I attended a mental health awareness event called #BeWell at Samsung 837 in Chelsea, NYC. I RSVP-ed knowing little about the event and its presenters – just that Dr. Jess, the main speaker, is a young, Black, female psychiatrist, and that I get excited about representation of all of those traits in theContinue reading “Music for Processing Grief”
Music Therapy, Explained
I’m a music therapist. And announcing my occupation, most of the time, requires an explanation. The thing is, there is really no short explanation, which is pretty much the only thing that frustrates me about what I do. I was at a friend’s birthday party recently, and as always, the dreaded question came up fromContinue reading “Music Therapy, Explained”