In this conversation, Michelle sits down with Andréane Gaulin, a rare dual-licensed SLP + BCBA, to unpack the gut-wrenching moment many parents of neurodivergent kids face: when their toddler still isn’t talking—and no one seems to have real answers.

Andréane shares:

🧠 Why “wait and see” is often the wrong advice. Pediatricians mean well, but if your child isn’t talking by two, it’s not “just a phase.” Early intervention can rewire outcomes—but only if you start early.

🗣️ The speech therapist’s secret skill: decoding behavior. Apraxia, ADHD, autism, GI issues—these can all show up as “bad behavior” when in fact, they’re a cry for help from a child who literally can’t say what they need.

🎯 What makes a great SLP—and how to find one. Why “Do you treat apraxia?” isn’t enough. The better question? “How do you treat apraxia—and how is that different from other approaches?”

🧰 AAC, sign language & multimodal tools that don’t delay speech. Whether your child signs “more,” taps a speech device, or gestures with foam letters, Andréane explains how every form of communication lays the groundwork for verbal breakthroughs.

📚 Inside the IEP room. Andréane has attended dozens of school meetings—and shares exactly why having your private SLP on the call (and in sync with the school therapist) can make or break your child’s support plan.

Quote to tape on the fridge:
“If someone doesn’t love your child the way they are—go find the people who do.”

Whether you're dealing with missed milestones, medical gaslighting, or meltdowns that make you question everything, Andréane’s message is clear: Speech is never “just” speech. It’s connection. And no child is too complex to communicate.

👤 About Andréane Gaulin, CCC-SLP, BCBA
Andréane Gaulin is a bilingual, neurodiversity-affirming speech-language pathologist and board-certified behavior analyst based in Orange County, CA. She specializes in treating children with complex communication needs, including autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and ADHD. She is the founder of Speech Point
, a multidisciplinary clinic that blends SLP and ABA strategies to meet each child where they are.

🔗 Connect with Andréane
• LinkedIn: Andréane Gaulin, CCC-SLP, BCBA
#ComplexKidsSimpleSolutions #ChildhoodApraxia #SLPBCBA #SpeechTherapyWorks #NeurodivergentSupport #AACforKids #IEPHelp #AskBetterQuestions #EarlyInterventionMatters #AndréaneGaulin #MichelleChoairy

Listen to this episode and more at
https://wisdom4complexkids.com/complexkidssimplesolutions

🎧 Connect with Michelle:
Website: www.wisdom4complexkids.com
Instagram: @michellechoairy
Join the community: Wisdom 4 Complex Kids Facebook Group

💌 Have a question or want to share your story? Email Michelle at [email protected]

🧠 Want simple tools that actually work?
Download the free advocacy toolkit: wisdom4complexkids.com/the-ultimate-advocacy-toolkit-pdf