Summer Shepstone

I, Summer Shepstone, have been supporting, advocating for, and collaborating with Neurodivergent Individuals since 1999. It all started with moving people out of institutions and in turn, supporting individuals with developmental disabilities living in the community. It is at this time the that the people I was asked to support, the trips to the capital to march, to chant, to help them be heard but also to speak on their behalf with lawmakers, to promote person first language and de-institutionalization that my passion for the grassroots disability movement was sparked. Eventually, this led to my discovery of Occupational Therapy and its role in helping all people Live Life to the Fullest. In 2008 I, Summer Shepstone, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy and felt I had truly found my calling.

As an Occupational Therapist, I have worked in many settings but am most passionate about supporting individuals and their families in their preferred and safe environments as they navigate their physical, cognitive, and emotional developmental journeys across the lifespan. I have Fellowship level training in Early Intervention and am passionate about building a strong developmental foundation. My special skill set is especially effective and supportive of Neurodivergent and Adopted families as well as those recovering from Multi-trauma and/or PTSD.

Over the past 14 years as an Occupational Therapist, the language and the service provision has changed. While person first language was the gold standard for advocacy in 1999, I observed in graduate school that students and Professors still struggled to grasp and apply it in 2005. I was the annoying girl in class offering revisions on people’s language and level of understanding. It took time and caught on, but today it is no longer the gold standard. Today, I realize that it is not my voice that needs to be amplified; it is theirs, and I am grateful to the “Nothing for us without us” movement for further lighting the way. I will continue to listen to and amplify ND voices going forward.

Over the past 14 years assessments and interventions have also changed. If a therapist was aware and working to provide the best standard of care, it was necessary to take parts of theories and interventions and pull them apart and piece them together in order to be as respectful as possible. Interventions once considered safe and effective have since been established as otherwise. Some of which are even considered harmful by those that experienced it. It was my experience as a therapist that year after year, the level of trauma recovery that people’s nervous systems, especially those that were Neurodivergent, were seeking and needing before being able to move forward in other ways was a clear symptom of a larger problem, some of our so-called “help” was indeed “hurting”. Our community was definitely not supporting them the best we could.

We must all grow, learn and evolve. I have studied a lot, yet I have learned the most from those I have had the honor and privilege to support over the years. Non-speaking people have taught me that it doesn’t take language to have connection, brilliance, communication nor relationship. Individuals with sensory differences have taught me to look at and explore the world through many different lenses, creating opportunities for play, satisfaction, and enjoyment I likely would have never found on my own. I have learned that we each have a unique experience that is valuable, and there are many ways to do things, even math.

Once we know better, we are called upon to do better. Through this personal and professional evolution, it has become apparent that there are deeper reasons why I have had such an affinity, felt so passionate about, and fell so easily into these roles of advocate, supportive therapist, or even friend from the beginning, I have realized that I too am Neurodivergent and am currently pursuing a diagnosis.

As a part of MnNeat, I hope to help grease the traditionally slow wheels of advocacy and change. To amplify the voices of those that know best, those with the lived experience, and in turn promote safety, access & equity in and across our communities so that all may Live their Lives to the Fullest

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