Meet Narmilee Dhayanandhan, M.Sc., S-LP (C)

Meet Narmilee Dhayanandhan, M.Sc. (S-LP)

Founder, BRAVE Speech and Language Services

For over two decades, Narmilee Dhayanandhan has stood at the intersection of science, compassion, and cultural insight—championing a future where culturally and linguistically diverse Autistic children are not just supported, but truly seen, heard, and celebrated.

With a Master of Science in Speech–Language Pathology from the University of Western Ontario and a Double Honours B.Sc. in Biology and Psychology from York University, Narmilee brings a rare blend of clinical rigor and relational depth to every family, educator, and care team she supports.

But her credentials are only part of the story.

As a BIPOC clinician who grew up across four continents—Nigeria, Sri Lanka, the UK, and Canada—she knows firsthand the challenges and triumphs of navigating languages, cultural codes, and communication norms. She has also provided mission-based speech and language services in under-resourced communities in India and Ghana.

These experiences shape her deep respect for the diverse ways children grow, connect, and communicate. Over the past 22 years as a Speech-Language Pathologist, she has worked across sectors— in a children’s treatment centre, school board, clinical research, non-profit programs, and private practice—always with the same goal: to help neurodivergent children be authentically heard and supported. Since 2004, Narmilee has supported neurodivergent children and families in her private practice, and since 2014, she has also served students within the Durham Catholic District School Board.

These experiences, and the countless families who have trusted her along the way, inspired her to create BRAVE Speech and Language Services: not just as a practice, but a movement to honour neurodivergent voices with culturally responsive, neuro-affirming care.

What sets BRAVE apart is its holistic, interdisciplinary model—supporting not only speech and language development, but also self-regulation, emotional wellness, social connection, and caregiver capacity.

Even after 20+ years on the frontlines, Narmilee continues to bridge systemic gaps, bringing together the best of speech-language therapy, developmental psychology, family coaching, and trauma-informed care. Her vision is not just for children to function—but to flourish.

Narmilee’s Way

Narmilee is widely recognized for her remarkable ability to connect with children on the Autism spectrum. She meets them with empathy, and a deep curiosity to understand who they are—beyond labels, beyond assumptions. Through BRAVE’s holistic and integrated approach, she nurtures trust, fosters growth, and helps children unlock their voice in the world.

Whether working one-on-one with a child, coaching parents, or mentoring clinicians, Narmilee leads with humility, heart, and a simple yet radical belief:

Every child deserves to be heard. Every family deserves to feel empowered.

Hear Narmilee’s Message

Clinical Experience

Narmilee has over 22 years of experience delivering speech and language services across diverse clinical environments, including:

These diverse experiences have taught Narmilee the power of collaboration. She brings this integrated lens to BRAVE—offering each child interdisciplinary care grounded in coherence, compassion, and connection.

Clinical Research

DIRFloortime® research study

Narmilee played a pivotal role in the landmark DIRFloortime® research study conducted at the Milton and Ethel Harris Research Initiative (MEHRI), under the direction of Dr. Stuart Shanker. As a frontline clinician, she delivered intensive, transdisciplinary intervention alongside Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Mental Health professionals to support autistic children and their families through a relationship-based, developmental approach.

This research was published in the journal, Autism (Casenhiser, Shanker, & Stieben, 2011) and provided early empirical support for DIRFloortime® as an effective intervention to improve core challenges in social communication and emotional functioning for children on the spectrum. The study’s findings also contributed foundational insights to Dr. Shanker’s later work on self-regulation.

Citation: Casenhiser, D. M., Shanker, S. G., & Stieben, J. (2011). Learning through interaction in children with autism: Preliminary data from a social-communication-based intervention. Autism, 17(2), 220–241.

Narmilee’s contribution to this groundbreaking study reflects her long-standing commitment to evidence-informed practice, integrated care, and the transformative power of relationship-based intervention.

Lived Experience & Cultural Humility

Having grown up across Nigeria, Sri Lanka, England, and North America, and completed fieldwork in India and Ghana, Narmilee brings a deep understanding of cultural humility. She sees communication as culturally shaped and honors diverse ways of connecting, especially among families from marginalized or immigrant communities.

Non-Profit & Global Service

From mission-based work in India and Ghana to speech-language initiatives in under-resourced areas, Narmilee’s global service continues to shape her values of equity, access, and dignity-centered care.

Certifications & Advanced Training

Certifications

Advanced Clinical Training

Gestalt Language Processing / Natural Language Acquisition
The SCERTS® Model (Dr. Barry Prizant)
Prompt for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT)
HANEN Programs
The Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP)
AAC tools: The Pixon Project, Proloquo2Go, LAMP Words for Life®, TouchChat®
Trauma-Informed Care
Diversity and Equity Training
Ayres Sensory Integration®
Infant Mental Health Practices
MindUP Curriculum
SMART Mindfulness (Mindfulness Everyday)
Reaching In–Reaching Out (RIRO)
Executive Functioning Skills (Dr. Peg Dawson)

Narmilee’s approach is strengths-based, multimodal, and deeply individualized—drawing on her extensive training to support each child’s unique way of connecting and communicating.

Speaking Engagements & Professional Development

Narmilee is a trusted speaker who brings both professional depth and personal insight to every room she enters. Known for her warm presence and practical wisdom, she delivers talks that move hearts and shift systems—especially around autism care, cultural humility, and co-regulation.

Her signature talk, Culturally Responsive Autism Care: Bridging Connection, Compassion & Co-Regulation, invites audiences to reimagine support for neurodivergent children through a lens of relationship, respect, and cultural attunement. Whether addressing educators, clinicians, or families, Narmilee equips listeners with tools that affirm identity, reduce overwhelm, and foster true connection.

Notable Presentation Platforms Include:

Keynote, Spring into Literacy Conference, Durham, Canada
Parenting Resilience Conferences, Durham, Canada
Global Conference on Holistic Early Learning and Development, Lakehead University, Ontario, Canada
Grandview Children’s Centre, Durham, Canada
DCDSB Professional Development Days, Durham, Canada
Sarah’s Covenant House, Hyderabad, India
Managing Autism Conference, Accra, Ghana
University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
BRAVE-hosted workshops and community sessions, Durham, Canada

Audiences Served:

SLPs, OTs, psychologists, social workers, CDAs, educators, EAs, administrators, principals, families, and community leaders.

Current Speaking Topics Include:

Beyond the Clinic

When she’s not supporting families through BRAVE, Narmilee is embracing life with the same passion and curiosity that fuels her work. She loves spending time with her family, and going on sunset walks with her spirited Boxer, Zeus.

A true adventurer at heart, Narmilee has snorkeled in the glacial waters of Iceland, climbed the Andes to sleep in a glass pod hanging off a cliff, kayaked through the sea caves of the Algarve in Portugal, and stood above the clouds on the highest peaks of Madeira. Whether she’s rock climbing or paddling across new waters, she finds joy in discovering the world’s beauty—and bringing that sense of awe and wonder into her everyday work with children and families.