How Do We Know If a Space Is Truly Safe for Our Kids?

As parents, we all want our children to feel safe, seen, and supported, especially in spaces meant to help them grow.

Whether you’re looking for a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a pediatrician, or any type of support service, one thing that matters just as much as credentials or location is something harder to measure: Is this a space where my child will be understood and welcomed for who they are?

It can feel tricky to figure out. So many websites today check all the right boxes: beautiful branding, cheerful bios, and words like “inclusive” and “family-centered.” But sometimes, when you walk in the door or start services, something just doesn’t sit right.

So, how do you actually know if a provider or practice is safe and inclusive, and not just on the surface, but in their values and their everyday interactions?

Here are a few things to consider as you’re making those decisions:

1. Look at the team. Really look.

Representation matters, and not just for the sake of diversity. A truly inclusive team reflects the communities they serve, not just in skin tone but in background, experiences, and perspectives.
If a practice claims to serve bilingual families, autistic children, or culturally diverse populations, but the team doesn’t reflect that, it’s worth asking more questions. Inclusion is more than a tagline. It's who’s at the table and who gets to lead the conversation.

2. Listen closely to the language they use.

Words can tell you a lot. Truly inclusive providers will avoid outdated or harmful terms like “speech impediment” or “baby sign language.” These may seem small, but they can signal bigger beliefs underneath.

• “Baby sign language,” for example, often overlooks the roots of real sign languages used in Deaf communities.

• “Speech impediment” is not only outdated, but also frames the child as the problem instead of supporting how they communicate.

Instead, look for language that centers the child’s strengths and honors all forms of communication, whether that’s spoken words, signs, gestures, augmentative and alternative (AAC) devices, or non-verbal language.

3. Check the certifications, but don’t stop there.

Credentials are important, yes. But not all training is created equal. Some “certifications” around inclusion, multilingual support, or autism aren’t actually rooted in evidence-based practices, or worse, they promote ideas that are ableist or audist.

If you see something you’re not familiar with, don’t be afraid to ask what it means. A good provider will welcome the question and explain clearly how their training supports your child’s needs and identity.

4. Notice how your child is treated from the start.

The first few sessions can be telling.

• Are they taking time to build trust with your child, or are they rushing into assessments?

• Are they adapting to your child’s communication style or are they only focused on getting them to talk?

• Are you being treated like a partner, or are you just handed a document of goals?

Trust your gut. You know your child best. If something feels off, it’s okay to speak up or seek out other options.

5. Watch for stop signs, but also green lights.

Pay attention to what makes you pause and what puts you at ease.

Stop signs might include:

• Ignoring your child’s attempts to communicate using gestures, signs, or AAC use

• Framing neurodivergence as something to “fix”

• Making comments that feel dismissive of your culture, language, or parenting values

Green lights might look like:

• Celebrating all forms of communication

• Using identity-affirming language

• Taking time to get to know your family story

• Asking you what’s important to your child

6. Remember: This applies to more than just speech therapy.

These tips aren’t just for SLPs. They apply to all pediatric spaces like pediatricians, playgroups, early intervention teams, feeding clinics, child psychologists, and more.

Wherever your child is receiving care, the environment should feel safe and affirming, not performative or pressured. You deserve providers who truly see your child, not just their checklist of milestones.

You’re Not Being Picky. You’re Protecting Your Child’s Sense of Self.

It’s not about perfection. No provider will get everything right all the time. But what matters is the willingness to learn, reflect, and partner with families in a way that honors every child’s full humanity.

You’re not asking for too much when you want your child to be respected, celebrated, and supported exactly as they are.

You’re a safe place, so it’s okay to expect that from the people you invite into your child’s world.

If you’re currently searching for a provider and feeling overwhelmed, I hope this gives you a few guiding lights.

You’re doing a beautiful job. You’re asking the right questions. Keep going.