Elianita de Paula is the Founder and Clinical Director of Beyond Inclusion Therapy, where she is dedicated to helping individuals with developmental disabilities and their families gain access to meaningful, evidence-based services that improve quality of life. Her passion for this work began with her daughter, Hannah, who was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability at the age of two. That experience transformed her personal journey into a lifelong mission to expand access, empower families, and create more inclusive communities.

Elianita brings a unique combination of clinical, business, and educational expertise. She holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Studies, Health Sciences, and a Master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Positive Behavior Support. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in General Psychology, where her research focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and improving outcomes for individuals with complex communication needs.

Throughout her career, Elianita has held leadership positions in healthcare and assistive technology. She previously served as an AAC Specialist at EyeTech Digital Systems, providing assistive technology evaluations, training, and consultation for clinicians, educators, and families throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She later led the AAC division for Lincare as an Area Manager and Director of Operations, overseeing clinical operations, program development, and multidisciplinary teams.

As an Assistive Technology Specialist, educator, and entrepreneur, Elianita has extensive experience in AAC, behavior support, sensory regulation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also provides consultation and professional training to healthcare providers, schools, universities, and organizations, including international educational programs in Brazil. Her work emphasizes practical strategies that promote communication, independence, participation, and long-term success for individuals across the lifespan.

Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Elianita is passionate about making services accessible to culturally and linguistically diverse families. She believes every individual deserves the opportunity to communicate, learn, work, and participate fully in their community.

Outside of work, Elianita enjoys spending time with Hannah, exploring Arizona on road trips, singing, serving her community, and leading worship music. She remains deeply committed to advocating for individuals with disabilities and helping families discover new possibilities through compassion, innovation, and inclusion.