The therapists at KidSpeak are nothing short of miracle workers. Dedicated to the success of each child, they are loving, caring, enthusiastic and enjoy what they do! It seems like their work is not a job to them but their “calling.” And this is no better evidenced than by the happy, talkative six-year-old son I have today after spending just over a year with KidSpeak. We'd been receiving speech therapy for “speech disturbance and delay” at a variety of clinics for more than three years and making moderate progress. But it was not until KidSpeak that “the light went on” inside my son and we began to see the potential within him. The therapists at KidSpeak go beyond therapy and turn sessions into fun, interactive experiences; my son loves to work with them so much that he looks forward to it every week. We've seen his conversation skills and “theory of mind” skills absolutely soar and our friends and family continue to be amazed at his progress. My son also loves the Friendship Camp and receiving group therapy with other children his age which he thinks is just the very best playtime ever! As a parent, KidSpeak provides us with a toolkit for each session, explaining the concepts that they're working on that week and providing us with tips and activities to apply at home. They even personalize the materials with characters and stories that they know my son enjoys (Superheroes, movies, books, etc.) And their progress reports are the most professional, impeccably detailed updates that provide clearly defined goals and examples of progress made. It is such a profound joy to be able to have conversations with my son everyday and not feel sad by the challenges he's struggled with but rather, feel blessed by the opportunities he's had with KidSpeak and the amazing potential his life has before him. (2011)
When I first met Laura, my son, Ethan was just a little over 2 years old. He had 2 words in his vocabulary and I cried nightly over why my little boy couldn't say “mommy”. We had the neurologist, the therapists, all the usual tests and it was one of the most frustrating times in my life. We had a not – so – great 1st plunge into speech therapy, and just as I was about to throw in the towel… Laura walked in my door and it's been the most amazing adventure! We met her thru E.C.I. as she contracted with them prior to opening KidSpeak. Ethan, who at that time was VERY hesitant around strangers, loved Laura almost immediately. Laura doesn't JUST teach your child to speak…she teaches YOU to help teach them as well. YOU are a very important person in the therapy and I loved that! To be taught how I could help my son, even more… that was priceless! When Ethan turned 3, he outgrew our local E.C.I. program and we immediately placed him in KidSpeak, with Laura and now her amazing partner Amanda as well. There was a little adjustment for Ethan to be meeting with Laura in her office instead of in his home but that not only expected but planned on. At every single turn for more than 2 years, Laura has thought of everything possible that could be done to help my son. It has worked! Ethan literally talks my ears off my head everyday! It has been exciting and amazing to watch my sweet little guy become who he is and to watch him as he would get excited to be able to say a new word. He says new words everyday and has been using sentences for some time. Laura and Amanda are my heroes! They don't just teach the child, they teach you as well… and that is GOLD!! Being invited in, to share in the process, so you could feel such happiness where once there were tears….I was able to help teach my son…..I cannot go on long enough, Laura and Amanda love their pupils and celebrate their progress as each new goal is met. I can't imagine where my son would be without Laura Hagan ( and Amanda ) but I don't like to think about that. They are my heroes…. my son talks now…a lot… and it's due to their tireless hard work! I urge you to take your child to KidSpeak….. they will rock your world!!We have had a fantastic experience at KidSpeak. (2009)
My daughter was non-verbal when she started at KidSpeak one year ago. She is now speaking words, initiating conversation, and is interested in playing with her peers. Their approach has worked wonders for my child. They have helped my daughter to independently regulate her emotions. Now her outbursts are rare, and when they do happen, she is able to calm down quickly. I have been very impressed with their knowledge and skill at bringing my child to higher level of functioning. They have proved to be an invaluable resource for so many things, speech therapy, shadow consulting, toilet training, school meetings, and behavior management. KidSpeak is a very nurturing environment where your child can grow. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Amanda. (2009)
I believe that my son’s success is primarily due to her early speech services. She helped my son learn to speak, how to be a successful student in a classroom, how to ease his anxiety and how to be a friend. She is so much more than a speech therapist. She offers excellent advice on problems besides speech including tantrums, discipline, toilet training, playing with friends and various school and home issues. Even though my son no longer needs individual speech therapy, Amanda still provides invaluable assistance with his social skills, shadowing at school, finding the right school, and basically all matters where I seek advice. She is truly amazing! (2008)
We first met Amanda during her tenure at UTD’s Callier Center. Then, our daughter was functionally pre-verbal at two and a half years of age. Amanda worked with our daughter individually and in a small group setting where she achieved rapid and amazing progress. We were so thankful and appreciative of Amanda’s skills that we have retained her services ever since including now with her founding of Kidspeak, LLC. Our daughter’s rapid improvement track also meant fast changing needs as she grew. Amanda and Kidspeak, LLC., have adapted services and therapy as our daughter has progressed including close coordination with teachers and other professional therapy service providers. Today, two years later, our daughter is mainstreamed in a private Montessori school and is functioning at or above grade level. Amanda delivers continued speech and socialization services on-site at the school. Amanda created a proposal for inclusion of speech and social goals to the school’s program for our daughter which was well received and immediately implemented. Amanda works closely with the teaching and administrative staff to coordinate effort and coach the teachers about our daughter’s special needs. We very much enjoy working with Amanda and her team at Kidspeak, LLC. We whole heartedly recommend their services. (2008)
Amanda Rollins has worked with our son from the time of his original PDD-NOS diagnosis at age 2 years 10 months, up to now at age 6, and it's not an underestimation to say she is MAGIC! Using her knowledge, experience, intuition and warm personality, she has been able to pull our son out of his own world into ours. She is much more than a speech therapist – she truly understands the autism spectrum, and more importantly, how to help these children succeed! Amanda worked with Tom individually and in her fantastic groups, she helped evaluate preschool environments for us, coached and supervised our grad student; for Tom's school, and provided great insight on how to best parent Tom. She's the best in town for young children on the spectrum! (2008)
