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 TakeawaysBilingualism 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.comAnd you can find Vocabulario Boricua at https://www.vocabularioboricua.com/es