Meditation and Mindfulness for Neurodivergent People: An NYC SLP’s Advice
Traditional meditation practices that include sitting perfectly still and silent can sometimes be quite challenging for both novice, experienced and neurodivergent meditators, alike.
When introducing meditation and mindfulness activities to differently-abled students within my private practice, I often start with incorporating visualizations, movement, sound and even their voices to improve their abilities to stay in the present moment.
Adding these multi-modality approaches can help a student anchor into tangible elements within the present moment that they can see, feel, hear, taste or smell.
Using your 5 senses as an anchor into presence can help neurodivergent mediators build the foundational skills needed for living a more mindful and self-regulated life.
Here are some examples of how to incorporate your senses and movement into your daily life to improve mindfulness (on and off the mat) for the whole family!
Examples of Incorporating Visualization and Imagery:
- As you gently breathe in and out, picture a bright red balloon that expands as you inhale and contracts as you exhale.
Ideas for Combining Mindfulness with Movement:
- As you inhale — bring your arms up. As you exhale — bring your arms down.
Imagine that you are a butterfly – gently floating through the air with each soft and gentle breath.
Tips for Joining Together Meditation and Sound:
- I invite you to practice humming aloud with your child – it’s so fun and grounding!
The act of humming aloud quickly activates your vagus nerve and resets the nervous system!
- You can also try chanting an easy mantra like – OM – all together.
As you repeat the mantra – OM – picture your whole body expanding and lightening with each inhale.
- Perhaps, listen to a song and slowly become aware of the different notes and tones in the selected piece of music.
Becoming Mindful During Activities of Daily Living:
Another great time to practice mindfulness is during everyday activities and chores!
You can meditate while brushing your teeth, washing dishes, or even while folding the laundry.
- While you’re washing the dishes, perhaps notice the water running down your hands or the water droplets beading up on the plate.
- Maybe, fall into a gentle rhythm while folding the laundry. Notice the soft texture of your favorite shirt or the smell of fleshly clean clothes!
I invite you this week to engage all your senses.
Slow down.
Be present in the little moments of your life.
Become the presence you desire.
Simply begin to notice the sights, sounds, smells and textures surrounding you.
Take a moment to savor the taste of your favorite tea in the morning …
Take a moment to enjoy the minty fresh bubbles in your tooth paste …
Take a moment to inhale a little more deeply – to smell the freshly fallen leaves …
Gently tune in. Simply Notice. Become a tiny bit more mindful.
And begin to softly witness and notice the small and subtle shifts occurring all around you!
These small moments of mindfulness throughout the day can create a safety net within the nervous system, slowly teaching the body to return to a place of calm.
I invite you to try some of these meditation and mindfulness techniques with your family today and watch as clarity and calm gently appear
Sincerely,
Heather Lynn Boerner MA CCC/SLP
Empowering Kids to Flourish: Holistic Support at Chatty Child
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves the confidence and tools to express themselves with joy, curiosity, and connection. Our speech therapy approach goes beyond words. We help children strengthen the communication, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Our therapists collaborate closely with families to create individualized plans that foster growth, self-expression, and confidence in every setting.
- InterAct – A playful, story-driven program combining imagination, role-play, and collaboration to enhance language skills, confidence, and social connection.
- Occupational Therapy – Builds sensory awareness, fine motor coordination, and independence across everyday routines.
- Teletherapy – Convenient online speech and occupational therapy for families throughout New York State, bringing expert care right to your home.
- Tutoring – Personalized academic support in reading, writing, and problem-solving that inspires curiosity and builds learning confidence.
- Functional Nutrition – Tailored strategies to enhance focus, self-regulation, and emotional balance through key developmental stages.
- Consulting – Expert guidance for parents, educators, and professionals to maintain consistent support across environments.
- Group Programs – Interactive, play-based sessions that nurture communication, social-emotional growth, and teamwork through creativity.
By blending evidence-based methods with imaginative, compassionate care, our team empowers children to find their voice, build resilience, and grow with confidence.
Inside the World of Pediatric Speech Therapy: Meet the Therapist
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and New York State–licensed speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience providing pediatric speech therapy in NYC. Alongside her clinical expertise, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor, a trauma-informed provider, and a proud neurodiverse, differently-abled individual. These are perspectives that deeply shape her compassionate and holistic approach to care.
Inspired by her own experiences as a differently-abled person, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice dedicated to empowering children through individualized and heart-centered support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates confidence, learning, and friendship, complete with a teaching guide for parents and educators.
Heather and her team provide services both in-person at their Tribeca, Manhattan clinic and virtually across New York State, helping children strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and express themselves more freely every day.
