AI, human connection and the future of neuroaffirming support with Shae Rodgers
Hosted by
Laetitia Andrac
Host of The Neurodivergent Pulse, CEO and co-founder of Understanding Zoe, and a neurodivergent parent.
With
Neurodivergent speech pathologist and AI educator, Speech Pathology Resources
Shae Rodgers is a neurodivergent speech pathologist and AI educator based in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and the founder of Speech Pathology Resources. In July 2026, Shae launched speech-pathology.ai, Australia's first AI tool library for speechies, where tools are curated, reviewed and compliance-checked by a practising clinician. Shae is also partnering with Understanding Zoe as a clinical advisor and featured Understanding Zoe on the library's homepage at launch.
The Neurodivergent Pulse is Understanding Zoe's podcast for families raising neurodivergent children in Australia. Hosted by Laetitia Andrac, each episode is an honest conversation about autism, ADHD and everyday family life. In this episode, "AI, human connection and the future of neuroaffirming support with Shae Rodgers", you'll hear practical, neuroaffirming ideas you can use today.
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Show notes
What if AI could give clinicians more capacity for human connection, rather than replacing it?
In this episode of Neurodivergent Pulse, Laetitia is joined by neurodivergent speech pathologist and AI educator Shae Rodgers for a conversation about the intersection of artificial intelligence, communication and neuroaffirming care.
Shae has been a speech pathologist for almost 20 years, with a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent children, teens and young adults. When AI became more accessible, her neurodivergent brain immediately became curious about its possibilities, particularly how it could reduce the enormous administrative load clinicians carry and create more time and capacity for meaningful clinical work.
They explore what responsible AI use can look like in allied health, why AI literacy matters, and the questions families have every right to ask when AI is being used as part of their or their child’s care.
Shae also shares the exciting possibilities emerging at the intersection of AI and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), including how technology can support more personalised and efficient communication while still protecting autonomy, consent and each person’s authentic voice.
And underneath it all is something neither of us believes technology can replace: human connection.
✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 7 days – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 👇
🧠 How AI can reduce some of the behind-the-scenes administrative load carried by speech pathologists and allied health professionals.
🧠 Using AI to create highly personalised, interest-led and accessible resources for neurodivergent clients.
🧠 Why AI isn't about replacing clinicians, but potentially creating more capacity for the parts of care that require human connection.
🧠 The importance of AI literacy, privacy, compliance and ethical decision-making.
🧠 What clinicians should consider before bringing an AI tool into their practice.
🧠 Why families have the right to ask how their information is being used and protected.
🧠 The importance of clinicians having a voice in how new AI tools are developed.
🧠 How high-tech tools can sometimes enable beautifully simple, low-tech and deeply personalised communication supports.
🧠 Why technology works best when it quietly supports the human connection happening around it.
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ABOUT THE GUEST 👇
Shae Rodgers is a neurodivergent speech pathologist and AI educator based in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, and the founder of Speech Pathology Resources.
Her clinical work supports school-aged children, teens and young adults, with a focus on AAC and communication technology alongside strengths-based, neuroaffirming practice. In Shae's words, her work is about helping young people develop communication skills in ways that work for them.
Shae also teaches AI literacy across the speech pathology profession. Guided by her motto, "saving you time with every resource", she runs a self-paced AI course for speech pathologists covering notes and reports, therapy preparation, resource creation and evidence-based practice.
She also writes a weekly AI tips newsletter for a community of 1,000 speech pathologists building their AI literacy one week at a time, mentors clinicians one-to-one and hosts The AI Speech Pathology Collective Facebook community.
In July 2026, Shae launched speech-pathology.ai, Australia's first AI tool library for speechies, where tools are curated, reviewed and compliance-checked by a practising clinician.
Shae is also partnering with Understanding Zoe as a clinical advisor and featured Understanding Zoe on the library's homepage at launch.
💻 Instagram: @aispeechpathologyresources
🌿 Speech Pathology Resources: speechpathologyresources.com.au
🤖 Speech Pathology AI Tool Library: speech-pathology.ai
ABOUT THE HOST 👇
Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host.
She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra.
Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children.
Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.
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