GOALIE GIRL HQFamily resourcesThe heart of Goalie Girl HQ
Charlotte is autistic and has Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Speaking can be difficult, but that has never limited her ability to communicate, connect or discover what she loves.
Our story
This is Charlotte’s lived experience, shared by her family—not medical advice and not a promise that every child’s path will look the same.
Charlotte can communicate through speech, AAC, gestures, pictures, facial expressions and actions. AAC is not a lesser voice or something a child must earn. It is a real way to share needs, thoughts, humour, choices and personality.
Give a person time. Speak to them directly. Respect their AAC. Do not assume that difficulty speaking means difficulty understanding.
Autism is part of how Charlotte experiences and understands the world. Goalie Girl HQ does not present her as a problem to fix or a diagnosis to overcome.
We celebrate support, accessibility, acceptance and the interests that help a child feel safe, capable and connected.
Follow their passion
Goalies caught Charlotte’s attention and made hockey feel exciting and understandable.
Her family followed that interest, returned to the rink and helped her connect in her own way.
Fist bumps became friendships, stories, videos, gear ratings and new experiences.
Goalie Girl HQ grew from saying yes to the possibilities created by something she genuinely loved.
For the family wondering what comes next
If your child is not speaking, communicates differently or is not reaching milestones on someone else’s timetable, that does not erase their personality, intelligence, joy or future. Learn how they communicate. Notice what lights them up. Support that interest and stay open to where it may lead.
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