Ep 2: Advocating for Neurodiversity Affirming IEPS- How Christina Beta, MA-SLP Played The Long Game

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 serving students who need a high level of behavioral support. They discuss the realities of school SLP workload, the barriers to effective IEP meetings she has experienced, and the importance of playing the long game when advocating for systemic and cultural change in schools.

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. She 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.c... https://www.facebook.com/CollaborativeMind... for GLP course for ABA providers: https://collaborativemindsconsulting.myflo...

The Guide to Becoming An ADVOCATE On The Inside - https://theadvocateslp.myflodesk.com/thead...

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