UNFILTERED IEPS – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode, Colleen (@TheAdvocate.SLP) is joined by her friends, two passionate bilingual general education teachers, Melissa and Ivania, to discuss the intersection of bilingual education and special education. Each with over a decade of classroom experience, Melissa and Ivania share their firsthand perspectives on being part of IEP teams, supporting multilingual learners with disabilities, and navigating the realities of inclusion in a bilingual setting.

This episode defines the differences between bilingual programs, the emotional and practical preparation for IEP meetings, and how improved collaboration, support, and communication really make a positive impact for all team members—especially for parents who speak languages other than English at home.

Whether you're a special educator, SLP, administrator, or classroom teacher, this conversation offers valuable insights into what true inclusion looks like—and what still needs to change.

Takeaways:

• 👋 How Colleen met Melissa and Ivania

• 💡 What inspired them to become educators

• 🏫 Types of bilingual programs

• 🧩 Inclusion in bilingual settings

• 📝 Preparing for IEP meetings as a Gen Ed teacher

• 🚫 Barriers in the system

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Supporting parents with limited English proficiency in the IEP process

  
  

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  Find Colleen @theadvocate.slp on instagram!

In this episode, Colleen and Phương Liên Palafox discuss the study she co-authored on the invisible workload of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and what surprised her about the self-advocacy efforts of school based SLPs and what themes emerged within the qualitative data. Phương details what the systemic barriers SLPs face to real change within the school system and draws on her own experience as a leader within a school district to give Colleen some advice on how to advocate to administrators in a way that centers student needs.The two also discuss the importance of multicultural considerations and how critical it is to determine difference vs. disorder for multi-lingual learners during an evaluation for special education. Finally, Colleen read an excerpt from Phương's piece in the Centennial Edition of the ASHA Leader, and envisioning a future where inclusion and multilingualism are central to education in the US and the work of Speech Language Therapists is honored.

Topics:

Exploring the Invisible Workload

The Invisible Workload of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists Who Identify as Overwhelmed: A Grounded Theory Study

Authors: Phương Liên Palafox, Tobias A. Kroll, and Makinna Morganhttps://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2025_LSHSS-24-00098If you are not able to access the article through ASHA, please email connect@phuonglienpalafox.com

Books by Phương Liên Palafox can be found at https://bookshop.org/

Titles:

• The Heartbeat of Speech Language Pathology: Changing the World One Session at a Time
• Buoy

Inquire about speaking events or professional development at www.phuonglienpalafox.com

On Instagram @phuonglienpalafox

https://www.facebook.com/phuonglienpalafoxSLP

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Join host Colleen and guest Gisela A Burks as they delve into the intricacies of the IEP process from a parent's viewpoint. Gisela shares her journey navigating autism diagnoses, the challenges of advocating for her child, and the importance of understanding and inclusion in education. Gisela A Burks is a dedicated mother and advocate for her autistic son, Jeremiah. With a background in human resources, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by parents in the special education system.

Find Gisela on instagram @giselllaa

Find Colleen on instagram @theadvocate.slp

To submit a voice recording on what it feels like for you the night before an IEP meeting, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/UnfilteredIEPs

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Key Topics:

The emotional journey of receiving an autism diagnosis.

Differences between insurance and school evaluations.

Issues than can arise transitioning from a highly supportive special-education preschool to a general education kindergarten class.

Advocacy and the importance of being a "squeaky wheel" and "making yourself known."

In this episode, Colleen delves into the complexities of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and its impact on special education referrals. She discusses the challenges faced by educators, parents, and students in navigating the MTSS process. She highlights issues such as resource shortages that impact fidelity of intervention, the unspoken reasons behind gatekeeping special education services, and particular issues faced by SLPs who are asked to provide RTI (response to intervention) on-top of IEP minutes.

Key Topics:

The role of MTSS in identifying and supporting students with difficulties. Challenges in implementing Tier 2 interventions effectively. The legal and practical implications of MTSS and special education evaluations.

Find me on instagram at @theadvocate.slp and share your MTSS experiences! Whether you're a parent, educator, or part of a school team, I want to hear your experiences.

DISCLAIMER: Colleen is a licensed speech-language pathologist and special education advocate, however nothing stated in The Unfiltered IEPs Podcast should be taken as medical or legal advice and is her expressed opinion.

In this episode of Unfiltered IEPs, host Colleen speaks with occupational therapist Gail Enriquez about her journey in the field, the role of occupational therapy in early intervention and school settings, and the importance of parent advocacy in the IEP process. They discuss the challenges faced by therapists, the differences between 504 plans and IEPs, and the need for collaboration among educators and therapists to support students effectively. The conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding each child's unique needs and the importance of self-advocacy for students as they navigate their educational journeys.

You can find Gail on instagram @the_crafty_otr

You can find Colleen on instagram @theadvocate.slp

Takeaways

Gail Enriquez shares her journey from COTA to licensed occupational therapist.

Early intervention focuses on family involvement and communication.

Parents often perceive therapists differently in various settings.

Transitioning from early intervention to school can be challenging for families.

Occupational therapy goals differ between early intervention and school settings.

Collaboration between therapists and educators is crucial for student success.

High caseloads can hinder the effectiveness of school therapists.

Parents need to advocate for their children's needs in IEP meetings.

Understanding the differences between 504 plans and IEPs is essential for parents.

Keywords

IEP, occupational therapy, early intervention, special education, parent advocacy, school therapy, sensory processing, education, communication, collaboration

In this episode, Colleen is joined by Christina Beta, MA-SLP, a neurodiversity affirming SLP with over 24 years of experience in a public school for students who need a high level of behavioral support. They discuss the realities of school SLP workload, the barriers to effective IEP meetings that she has experienced and playing the long game when it comes to advocating for systemic and cultural change in schools.

Christina's Bio:

Christina Beta MA-SLP is a speech-language pathologist with over 24 years of experience in special education. She works with autistic and neurodivergent students in both school settings and private practice, and is the founder of Collaborative Minds Consulting & Speech Therapy, where she provides coaching, consulting, and professional development focused on behavior, communication, and regulation from a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.

Since 2001 she has worked at a specialized school for students with significant support needs; students whose home districts determined they need a more individualized and intensive educational setting.  She is deeply involved in the IEP process, helping teams create plans that reflect a student’s strengths, communication style, and academic needs.

Christina says, “I focus on helping educators and families understand behavior as communication, support Gestalt Language Processors, and move away from compliance-based approaches. My goal is to make IEPs more meaningful, collaborative, and effective; so neurodivergent children can access learning in ways that truly support who they are.”

Website: https://www.collaborativemindsconsulting.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollaborativeMindsConsulting/Waitlist for GLP course for ABA providers: https://collaborativemindsconsulting.myflodesk.com/supportingglps

In this episode, you'll get to know your host, Colleen and more about why she created the Unfiltered IEPs Podcast. She discusses her career journey, what inspired her to leave public schools and start her private practice that offers special education advocacy services, a taste of the topics she will cover in future episodes and why she thinks honest conversations are so crucial at a time when public education is under attack.

Follow her at @theadvocate.slp on Instagram
Affiliate Link for SIDE BIZ SLP by @yourslpdaj

https://ashford--cotreatcorner.thrivecart.com/sidebizslp/

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In this episode of Unfiltered IEPs, Colleen Stern passionately discusses bilingual service delivery and the importance of cultural understanding within education and healthcare systems. She details 5 distinct places that the rights of non-English speaking parents in the IEP process are written out (freebie linked below) in IDEA, the Civil Rights Act and OCR Documentation.

She emphasizes the need for cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility in speech-language pathology. The episode also touches on proposed changes to ASHA's standards, the challenges of providing translation and interpretation in schools, and the benefits of bilingualism. Colleen advocates for continuing education under the DEIA umbrella because these are the courses where cultural responsiveness and intersectionality are explained and explored.

Colleen shares her philosophy on the need to both push and pull the levers for systemic change within ASHA and the broader educational system, both inside and outside any system. The episode concludes with a discussion on futurism in education policy and the power of imagination in creating a better world for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, referencing the work of Phuong Lien Palafox published by the ASHA Leader. (Link below)

Essay by Phuong Lien Palafox published in the ASHA Leader: https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/leader.FTR1k.30092025.slp-schools-inclusivity.40/full/

First Bite Podcast with Panel on DEI and Proposed Changes to ASHA Standards: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/advocacy-and-understanding-for-ashas-proposed-changes/id1399630680?i=1000713425697

FREEBIE on Translation and Interpretation of IEPS: https://theadvocateslp.myflodesk.com/kp4nh8184r

Wheel of Power/Privilege art by Sylvia Duckworth: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFiUShhpUT/

Comment on this episode with your reactions, questions or own experiences at the IEP table!

In this episode of Unfiltered IEPs, host Colleen Stern speaks with Hallie Sherman, a seasoned speech-language pathologist, to discuss the intricacies of working with middle-grade students and developing their IEPs. They explore the importance of student empowerment, effective goal development, and the challenges faced by SLPs in advocating for their students' needs. Hallie shares her journey of creating engaging materials for older students and emphasizes the significance of building relationships to foster a positive learning environment. The conversation also touches on transition planning, the use of assistive technology, and the necessity of collaboration among educators to support students' growth and success.

About our guest: Hallie Sherman, M.S. CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist in New York. She worked in the public schools for over 15 years before she left the schools to work as the CEO full time for Speech Time Fun, Inc. At Speech Time Fun, Inc. Hallie provides materials and trainings for SLPs working with grades 4-12 to help them plan with ease and confidence. She does this through her SLP Elevate membership, her TPT resources, her podcast SLP Coffee Talk, her virtual conference she hosts 3x a year called the Speech Retreat and the other various trainings for organizations and associations.Hallie's Links:

@speechtimefunspeechtimefun.comslpelevate.cominstagram.com/speechtimefunhttps://bit.ly/SLPcoffeetalkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPmwth4lr5HvdntrJNu-KA

Link to the study on transition meetings: https://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/tran-scp/cresource/q1/p01/

Follow Colleen on instagram @theadvocate.slp

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Join Colleen, The Advocate SLP, as she sits down with Dr. Brandi Tanner Ph.D., NCSP to explore the intricacies of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Dr. Tanner shares her extensive experience and insights on the roles of school psychologists, the importance of collaboration, and the three Cs of student success. Listen to learn those three C's as well as Dr. Tanner's unfiltered opinion on when districts want to use school psychologists as "score reporters" and not to their full clinical potential!

Brandi Tanner, Ph.D., NCSP, is a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, GA. She has experienced the IEP process in many roles, including special education teacher, general education teacher, school psychologist, private psychologist, advocate, and family member. Dr. Tanner is the founder of Your IEP Source. She uses her experience and expertise to help IEP teams use clinical information to develop appropriate accommodations and intervention programs for students with disabilities. She provides resources and educational programs for parents to learn about the IEP and 504 process. She consults with schools, agencies, and professionals and provides training on effective collaboration at the IEP or 504 table.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding the IEP process from multiple perspectives. The significance of pre-meetings with families to ease the IEP process. How to effectively communicate clinical information to parents. The role of school psychologists in fostering student success.

Dr. Tanner's resources for parents and advocates can be found at www.youriepsource.com

On Instagram @youriepsource

We referenced the Co-Treat Corner podcast on which Dr. Tanner was interviewed in January 2025. That episode is here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ntwbJ7TuPSzfXeKNMF40O?si=hKuAMNFXS5KwUxn9SiVUZA

Colleen is on Instagram @theadvocate.slpComment to join the unfiltered conversation or rate and review to help the pod reach more parents and professionals!