From Training to Impact: How One Graduate Built a Business Supporting Neurodivergent Youth
By ERIN SAINT-HILAIRE
When Crystal Holtzheimer enrolled in Cal State East Bay’s Trauma-Informed Specialist Program, she was already dedicated to supporting students as a math professor at her local community college—but she didn’t yet know how deeply the experience would shape her path. Today, as the founder of NeuroFlora Coaching and Consulting LLC, she is turning that training into meaningful change, helping families, educators, and schools create more inclusive, neuroaffirming environments for youth.
At the heart of her work is a shift in perspective she credits to the program: moving from thinking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” She approaches her work with the understanding that all behavior is a form of communication, seeking to better understand what individuals are expressing through their actions—especially in neurodivergent communities where spoken language may not be the primary mode of communication. She now applies this principle daily in her work with parents, caregivers, and educators to better interpret and respond to children’s needs.
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Important Dates
| Spring Semester 2026 | |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2026 | Spring semester begins |
| March 31, 2026 | Cesar Chavez Day observed, no classes |
| March 30-April 3, 2026 | Spring recess, no classes |
| May 16, 2026 | Spring semester ends |
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