UNFILTERED IEPS

The Advocate SLP
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Unfiltered IEPs—where parents and professionals can speak freely about their own IEP experiences, both the little victories and major frustrations. I want you to hear the unfiltered version of what it’s really like to be on the other side of the table. This podcast is for anyone on an IEP team, from parents to teachers, SLPs to OTs , advocates to administrators, I'm want to hear from everyone what it is really like to be in their role- the unfiltered version. Because now more than ever, these are the conversations we need to be having.

  1. 3D AGO

    S2 E3 Dispelling Myths about Telepractice and Telling Hard Truths About Independent Contracting as a School SLP: How Brittany Musholt Redefined Her Role On Her Terms

    In this episode of the Unfiltered IEPs, host Colleen welcomes Brittany Musholt, a pediatric SLP, business owner, mom and author, to discuss the realities of working in school-based speech therapy, including ethical tensions, staff burnout, contracting vs. direct hire, and innovative approaches to service delivery like telepractice. Brittany shares her insights on advocating for system change, supporting neurodiverse learners, and fostering caregiver engagement through literacy practices. Key Takeaways: The ethical tensions between student needs and systemic limitations in schools How low wages and high caseloads impact SLP wellbeing and retention The benefits and challenges of independent contracting versus traditional employment Strategies for advocating at the district and policy levels The role of telehealth and SLPA utilization in expanding service capacity Building trust and connection with families in virtual settings The importance of literacy and caregiver education in supporting speech and language development Tips for creating inclusive, family-centered IEP meetings Brittany’s journey as a small business owner and children’s book author! You can find Brittany:  https://www.littlemoosespeechtherapyllc.com/ https://www.instagram.com/brittmooseslp/ https://www.tiktok.com/@thatspeechmom You can her book, A Tail of Empathy: Rocky Gains a Brother on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tail-Empathy-Rocky-Gains-Brother/dp/B0F6WFWPRQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=15CTYV1I0CR49&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zBmwMl-yN72JVr5UGqqgsA.bSItnDAw1TeU1os3f8bMtSmjInw4dH0mvFVwyRQVvDQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=A+Tail+of+Empathy%3A+Rocky+Gains+a+Brother%2C&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1772053173&sprefix=a+tail+of+empathy+rocky+gains+a+brother%2C+%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1 Also mentioned: Elise Mitchell with https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/

    1h 3m

  2. FEB 18

    S2 E2: Empowered to Serve From the Outside; How Nichole Carrisquillo-Stumpf MS CCC-SLP Advocates for Spanish-Speakers in Special Education as an Independent Contractor

    In this episode of the Unfiltered IEPs podcast, host Colleen Ashford MS SLP, speaks with Nichole Carrasquillo-Stumpf M.S. CCC-SLP, a bilingual speech language pathologist, about her journey in the field, the challenges faced by bilingual SLPs in public schools, and the importance of cultural connection in therapy. They discuss equity issues in bilingual education, the difference between language differences and disorders, and the systemic changes needed to better support bilingual learners. Nichole shares her transition from working directly for a school district to owning her own private practice and becoming a outside contractor, all while maintaining her commitment to empowering bilingual families through resources and education. Key Takeaways Bilingualism is a cultural gift that should be celebrated! Bilingual SLPs often face an invisible workload in schools that contributes to burnout. Parents of bilingual children NEED to be informed about their rights in the IEP process. Equity issues arise when parents are unaware of their rights and the resources available to them. Understanding the difference between language difference and disorder is crucial for accurate assessments and proper special education eligibility determination. The transition to private practice can empower SLPs to advocate more effectively for their clients from outside the school system.  Systemic changes are needed in schools to better support bilingual learners and their families and bilingual programs should be designed with research and evidence-based practices in mind. Creating resources for bilingual families is a labor of love that can help bridge gaps in resources for minority dialects! You can find Nichole at  @topitopitherapy (Instagram,Tiktok, Facebook) www.topitopitherapy.com And you can find Vocabulario Boricua at https://www.vocabularioboricua.com/es

    52 min

  3. FEB 11

    Rachelle Ashford M.ED, Ed.S On Co-Teaching Models in Special Education, Tech Tools that Boost Student Confidence and Transition Planning in a District with Selective Enrollment

    Welcome Back to Season 2 of Unfiltered IEPs! Follow or Subscribe to the Podcast so you never miss an episode! Find digital downloads like "The Guide to Becoming an Advocate on the Inside" here: https://theadvocateslp.myflodesk.com/linkinbio In this episode, Rachelle Ashford M.ED, Ed.S shares her extensive experience in special and general education, emphasizing the importance of personalized IEPs, collaboration among educators, and fostering student independence. Her insights highlight how to create effective, equitable learning environments for diverse learners. Rachelle's journey through early childhood, special education, and leadership rolesThe co-teaching model: benefits, challenges, and best practicesHow technology supports diverse learners in the classroomStrategies for developing meaningful IEPs and avoiding generic goalsThe role of collaboration among teachers, specialists, and familiesTransition planning from middle to high school: how to prepare students effectivelyThe impact of school choice, including selective enrollment and neighborhood schoolsHow principals and administrators can impact IEP effectiveness and school cultureRed flags in IEP documents: recognizing and correcting non-individualized goalsBuilding student self-advocacy and confidence through formative feedbackCollaboration beyond the classroom: engaging specialists and families The book Rachelle referred to about Co-Teaching: https://www.amazon.com/Co-Teaching-Dos-Donts-Do-Betters/dp/1416629181

    49 min

  4. 12/27/2025 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Mindset You Have to Shift to Become an Advocate *On The Inside*

    In this bonus episode, Colleen gets into the nitty gritty about 2 out of the 3 mindset shifts inside The Guide To Becoming an Advocate *On The Inside* 1. An IEP is an group project, NOT a presentation 2. We’re not picking off the menu, we’re writing the recipe To find our #3 you will need to read the guide which will be available for purchase on 12/29/2025 via the link in bio on @theadvocate.slp instagram or on www.theadvocateslp.com Get a 25% code off when you sign up here! https://theadvocateslp.myflodesk.com/theguide

    19 min

  5. 10/08/2025

    Ep 15: Teacher Voices: Bilingual Education, IEPs and Inclusion

    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 Please rate and review the podcast, comment about what surprised you or share with a friend! Find Colleen @theadvocate.slp on instagram!

    55 min

  6. 10/01/2025

    Ep 14: Phương Liên Palafox On What Surprised Her About The Research On School SLPs and How She Imagines a Future of Inclusivity

    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 Multicultural Considerations in Therapy Systemic Barriers and Advocacy Storytelling as a Tool for Change Envisioning a Better Future A Future That Brings Students From Margins to Momentumhttps://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/leader.FTR1k.30092025.slp-schools-inclusivity.40/full/ 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 TimeBuoy Inquire about speaking events or professional development at www.phuonglienpalafox.com On Instagram @phuonglienpalafox https://www.facebook.com/phuonglienpalafoxSLP For more Unfiltered Content Follow Colleen @theadvocate.slp on Instagram & comment, follow and share the Pod with a friend!

    59 min

  7. 09/24/2025

    Ep 13: Translation and Interpretation of IEPs and Why Cultural Responsiveness and Intersectionality Matter

    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!

    28 min

  8. 09/17/2025

    Ep 12: All Things Middle Grade IEPs: Goals, Transition Planning and More with Hallie Sherman M.S. CCC-SLP

    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 and be sure to follow the pod so you never miss an episode!

    50 min
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About

Welcome to Unfiltered IEPs—where parents and professionals can speak freely about their own IEP experiences, both the little victories and major frustrations. I want you to hear the unfiltered version of what it’s really like to be on the other side of the table. This podcast is for anyone on an IEP team, from parents to teachers, SLPs to OTs , advocates to administrators, I'm want to hear from everyone what it is really like to be in their role- the unfiltered version. Because now more than ever, these are the conversations we need to be having.

Information

  • Creator
    The Advocate SLP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Advocate SLP
  • Show Website
    UNFILTERED IEPS

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