This issue is anchored to three moments in the Spring 2026 calendar: Autism Acceptance Month, Holi, and Mental Health Week Canada. Each event generates two reflections — one broad and one profession-specific.

Download: The Reflective Practitioner, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2026 (PDF coming May 2026)

Reflection 1 · Language & Inclusion: Autism Acceptance Month
"He's Nonverbal" — And Why That Phrase Deserves a Second Look 

How the language we use about autistic children shapes expectations, limits engagement, and erases communication that is already happening.

For SLPs, OTs, educators, daycare workers, and families

Reflection 2 · Language & Inclusion: Profession-Specific

SLPs & OTs Nonspeaking, Non-Vocal, Minimally Verbal — What Do We Actually Mean? A closer look at the terms we use in practice, and how they influence assessment, goal-setting, and communication with families. For SLPs, OTs, BCBAs, and early intervention professionals

Reflection 3 · Culture & Identity · Holi

Holi in Canada: Louder Here Than Back Home Why cultural celebrations in diaspora communities often feel more vibrant than in their places of origin — and what that reveals about identity, belonging, and memory. For immigrants, students, educators, and mental health practitioners

Reflection 4 · Education & Culture: Profession-Specific

 Educators When a Student Brings Their Culture into the Classroom How educators can respond meaningfully when culture enters the classroom — without reducing it to tokenism or performance. For teachers, professors, and educational leaders

Reflection 5 · Wellbeing: Mental Health Week Canada

We Talk About Mental Health — Just Not at Work What mental health conversations include, what they leave out, and why workplaces remain one of the hardest places to speak honestly. For employers, leaders, HR professionals, and working professionals across sectors

Reflection 6 · Clinical Practice: Profession-Specific 

New Counsellors Ten Mistakes New Counsellors Make in the First Session — And Why They Happen The patterns that show up early in clinical practice, why they occur, and how awareness can shift the therapeutic relationship. For counselling students, new clinicians, and supervisors

How to cite a reflection from this issue:

Jain, R. (2026). [Reflection title]. The Reflective Practitioner, 1(1). ISSN XXXX-XXXX. https://reflectivepractitioner.ca