The Evolution of “Whole Body Listening Larry” & Why it Matters

Embracing Neurodiversity: A Journey to Strengths-Based Support

When I started my career as a speech-language pathologist, my training followed a more traditional medical model, focusing on diagnosing and addressing behaviors to help neurodivergent kids conform to neurotypical norms. I even co-authored the Whole Body Listening Larry series, which aimed to teach listening and attention skills by engaging the whole body. While the series was created with the best intentions, I’ve come to recognize that it inadvertently reinforced ableist ideas by promoting conformity rather than acceptance of neurodivergent ways of being.

Through my experiences and the growing neurodiversity movement, I’ve shifted my focus to a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach. This means celebrating and advocating for the unique ways neurodivergent individuals experience the world. As part of this mission, I’ve been instrumental in updating the Whole Body Listening Larry series. The revised book, now titled Listen, Learn, and Grow: A Whole Body Listening Larry Story to Help Kids Regulate, Listen, and Engage, reflects a more inclusive and empowering perspective. It’s all about fostering self-awareness, regulation, and individual strengths.

My goal is to see this updated version replace the original wherever it’s found—in classrooms, libraries, and homes. I believe it’s crucial to create inclusive environments where all learners, neurodivergent and neurotypical alike, feel seen, valued, and supported.

Things You’ll Learn from This Episode

• How I transitioned to a neurodivergent-affirming model in my work as an SLP.
• Why listening looks different for everyone, and that’s okay!
• How the Whole Body Listening Larry book series and poster have been rewritten to emphasize strengths, self-awareness, and regulation.
• The importance of modeling and discussing your own listening styles with children—and how to do it.
• Ideas for creating inclusive educational environments that benefit all learners, not just neurodivergent individuals.