You Are the Expert on Your Child: Speech Therapy, Autism, and IEP Advocacy with Elizabeth Perry, SLP

Episode Overview

In this deeply practical and steadying episode of The Bylund Podcast, Danielle Morales, Licensed Educational Psychologist, sits down with Elizabeth Perry, Speech and Language Pathologist, founder and director of Speech Therapy and Accent Group (STAG) in the East Bay, for a conversation every parent navigating speech, language, autism, or school-based services deserves to hear.

Liz brings rare expertise across early intervention, neurodiversity-affirming autism care, AAC, multilingual assessment, Independent Educational Evaluations, and the often emotional world of IEP advocacy. Together, Danielle and Liz unpack what parents should know when they are worried about their child’s communication, from toddler milestones and when to seek an evaluation, to why “communication comes before speech,” and how AAC can actually support verbal language rather than delay it.

This episode also offers a compassionate look at the parent experience inside special education systems. Liz explains why families and schools can feel at odds, how parents can bring meaningful observations to the table, and why they are not merely participants in the IEP process, but essential experts on their own child.

Above all, this conversation is a reminder that parents are not alone, not overreacting, and not powerless. With the right support, communication therapy can move beyond the clinic room and become part of everyday connection, confidence, and quality of life.

Learn more about The Bylund Clinic: https://thebylundclinic.com

Learn more about Liz Perry and Speech Therapy and Accent Group: https://stagspeech.com

Other links and resources:

• https://dredf.org
  • Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) parent training resources
  • Free webinars, special education rights information, self-advocacy resources, and county-specific Parent Training & Information Centers
• https://cadreworks.org/
  • Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
  • Great for understanding mediation, state complaints, due process, and conflict resolution
• https://parentshelpingparents.org/
  • Helpline, support groups, workshops, transition planning, and extensive special education programming, particularly for families in the Bay Area
• https://Disabilityrightsca.org/
  • Disability Rights California (DRC)
  • California’s protection and advocacy agency. Provides free publications, legal information, complaint guidance, and in some cases direct advocacy or legal assistance

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, psychological, speech-language, legal, or therapeutic advice. Listening to this episode does not create a clinician-client, therapist-client, attorney-client, or other professional relationship with The Bylund Clinic, STAG, or any affiliated guests or organizations. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language, development, mental health, educational needs, or legal rights, please consult with a qualified professional who can evaluate your child’s individual circumstances.