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The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Welcome to The Empowered Parent Podcast Series 2.
This short series is inspired by the Australia and New Zealand Inaugural Neurodivergence and Wellbeing Conference.
Over the next few episodes, we’ll be shining a light on what it truly means to belong, and celebrating the lives, strengths, and stories of neurodivergent people.
I’ll be speaking with leaders, advocates, and thinkers from across Australia and New Zealand who are pioneering change. Together, we’ll explore how families, schools, and communities can move beyond old deficit views - and instead see neurodivergence as a vital part of human diversity.
This series is about hope, celebration, and possibility. It’s about recognising that there is a place in the world for everyone - and that when we create belonging, we all thrive.
Don’t forget to follow along, share your reflections, and join the conversation. You can connect with me at danabaltutis.com or mytherapyhouse.com.au
Let’s celebrate neurodivergence. Let’s celebrate belonging.
The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis
Episode 64: Bethany Burrell (Speech Pathologist): Rural Speech Therapy: Hidden Challenges, Real Impact
What happens when you're the only speech pathologist for hundreds of kilometers? Meet Bethany Burrell, founder of Speak To Bee, who travels across 200 kilometers of rural Victoria supporting children and adults with complex communication needs. Her journey reveals the hidden struggle of families in remote communities facing five-year waiting lists, three-hour drives to specialists, and profound isolation.
Bethany shares how her own neurodivergence became her superpower, creating therapy sessions that look nothing like traditional table-work. "If they want to be under the table with a blanket over the top, that's completely fine. If we're walking on the beach having fun, that's fine too," she explains. This flexible approach helps her connect with clients who might otherwise struggle in conventional settings.
The boundaries between professional and personal blur dramatically in small towns where your GP might also treat your clients, and grocery shopping becomes a therapy reunion. Yet these close connections create rich, meaningful relationships that sustain both therapist and client through challenges. Bethany's candid discussion about burnout—the warning signs, the recovery process, and the boundaries necessary for survival—offers valuable wisdom for any helping professional.
For speech pathologists considering rural practice, Bethany paints an enticing picture of professional growth, personal development, and the incomparable reward of helping someone order their first hot drink or say "I love you, mum" for the first time. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most significant impact happens far from the spotlight, where dedicated professionals quietly transform lives one conversation at a time.
Ready to explore how you might make a difference in underserved communities? This episode will challenge your assumptions about rural practice and might just inspire your next career move.
speaktobee.com
danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services
