Speak Speech Therapy

Speak Speech Therapy We specialize in autism-focused speech therapy, helping children improve communication, language, and social skills through personalized, play-based treatment.

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04/29/2026

Collaboration only works when everyone shows up.

As an SLP, I know my role is communication.
A BCBA’s role is behavior.
And when both professionals bring their expertise to the table with mutual respect and shared goals, that’s when meaningful progress happens.

At Speak, collaboration means more than simply being present.
It means supporting families, training teams, and empowering children with communication tools that honor who they are.

As a neurodiversity-affirming practice, our mission is to create meaningful impact through compassionate, collaborative care—because every child deserves a team that works together.

If you’re a parent or provider looking for an SLP team that values true collaboration and child-centered support, we’d love to connect.

04/28/2026

AAC is too important to get wrong.

Selecting a high-tech AAC system is not simply choosing an app—it requires specialized knowledge in language development, feature matching, motor planning, and implementation. That is why speech-language pathologists are essential in the AAC selection process.

Too often, I see children using AAC systems that were chosen without the appropriate expertise—systems that are disorganized, confusing, and difficult for the child to use effectively. Instead of supporting communication, these systems can create frustration and barriers that take significant time to repair.

Parents, your child’s voice deserves a team approach.

If a high-tech AAC device or app is being recommended, ensure that a speech-language pathologist with AAC experience is actively involved in the decision-making process. When professionals collaborate within their areas of expertise, children are given the strongest foundation for meaningful communication.

AAC gives children access to their voice—let’s make sure that voice is supported the right way.

04/28/2026

Neurodiversity-affirming care is more than a buzzword — it’s a commitment to seeing, supporting, and celebrating neurodivergent individuals for exactly who they are.

It starts with 4 key components:✨ Acceptance — honoring neurodivergent differences without trying to “fix” them💪 Strength-based support — building on what each person does well🛠️ Accommodation — adapting environments so individuals can thrive🧡 Respect for identity — valuing neurodivergent voices, preferences, and lived experiences

When we shift from compliance to connection, we create spaces where neurodivergent individuals feel safe, empowered, and understood.

Because true support begins with acceptance.

04/24/2026

Have you heard of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), also known in neurodiversity-affirming spaces as Pervasive Drive for Autonomy?

Some autistic children experience an intense drive for autonomy, where everyday demands—even simple requests—can trigger anxiety, avoidance, or nervous system dysregulation. This isn’t “bad behavior” or “defiance”; it’s often a stress response rooted in the need to maintain a sense of control and safety.

Research suggests that up to 20% of autistic children may present with this type of profile, yet it is often misunderstood. When we recognize these patterns through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, we can move away from compliance-based strategies and instead support regulation, trust, and authentic communication.

In my next post, I’ll be sharing:
✨ how to identify PDA characteristics
✨ signs to look for
✨ ways to support autistic individuals with this profile

Understanding the “why” behind the behavior can completely change the way we support autistic children.

Follow along for the next post in this series.

04/22/2026

If a communication system isn’t working, forcing it harder is NOT the answer.

Developing a communication system is not for the weak.

It takes trial and error, problem solving, constant adjustments, and sometimes completely redesigning the plan to meet the child where they are.

Right now, we’re supporting a child whose low-tech core board was too overwhelming and not functional for him, while high-tech AAC is still challenging. So we went back, simplified the system, and redesigned the low-tech board to better match what he can access right now—because the goal is always functional communication, not forcing a system that looks good on paper.

That’s what AAC intervention really looks like.
Not perfection.
Not one-size-fits-all.
Not “set it and forget it.”

It’s responsive, individualized, and built around what actually works for the child.

And if something isn’t working, say something.

As an SLP, I need parents and team members to tell me when a communication plan isn’t effective. Because if I don’t know there’s a problem, I can’t help fix it—and when we’re building communication systems, time matters.

The best outcomes happen when families and providers work together, communicate openly, and adjust the plan as the child’s needs become clearer.

Because communication support should be functional, flexible, and centered on the child—always. .chat

04/20/2026

🚨 If your child is 3 or older and you’re still struggling to understand what they’re saying, trust that instinct—early support matters.

Not all speech delays are the same.

There is a BIG difference between speech that is difficult to understand because of phonological processes and Childhood apraxia of speech.

Children with Childhood apraxia of speech often have difficulty imitating simple sounds, words, mouth movements, or facial expressions—even when they know exactly what they want to say.

That’s because apraxia affects the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech.

The good news? With the right support, children with Childhood apraxia of speech can make incredible progress.

If this sounds like your child, I strongly encourage you to connect with a speech-language pathologist—preferably one with experience treating apraxia. Specialized therapy can make all the difference.

Trust your instincts.
Ask questions.
Advocate early.

You are your child’s best voice. 🤍

Have questions about speech development? Drop them below 👇

04/19/2026

Advocacy in therapy matters.

Last week, I was at one of our partner ABA centers when an RBT asked for help with one of our shared patients. She was trying to get this little one to imitate bilabial sounds and was feeling frustrated because he wasn’t responding.

The child has Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and while communication goals were shared between teams, the goals being targeted were not aligned with the speech plan.

I explained that children with CAS are not refusing to imitate—they may be physically unable to produce those sounds on command because the challenge is with motor planning, not willingness.

That moment was frustrating for the therapist—but imagine how frustrating it was for that child to be repeatedly asked to do something his body could not coordinate in that moment.

This is why advocacy, education, and collaboration are so important.

When we don’t fully understand the “why” behind a child’s difficulty, therapy can unintentionally become a cycle of frustration instead of support.

Every child deserves a team that understands their diagnosis, respects their limitations, and builds goals that truly support progress.

Advocacy matters because understanding changes outcomes.

04/18/2026

Did you know that up to 30% of neurodivergent individuals may experience Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?

ARFID is commonly seen in individuals with ADHD, autism, childhood apraxia of speech, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, yet it is often misunderstood as “picky eating.”

Some of the core signs of ARFID include:

• Limited intake or low interest in eating — eating very small portions, feeling full quickly, low appetite, or even forgetting to eat
• Sensory-based avoidance — avoiding foods because of their smell, taste, texture, color, or appearance
• Fear-based avoidance — fear of choking, vomiting, or painful sensory experiences, often after a traumatic feeding or swallowing event

This conversation matters because for far too long, parents and caregivers of neurodivergent children have been blamed, shamed, and gaslit over feeding challenges that were never caused by “bad parenting.”

Feeding differences are real. ARFID is real. And families deserve understanding, support, and evidence-based care — not judgment.

The more we educate, the more we empower families to seek the right help and advocate for their children.

04/18/2026

Hey y’all! I’m Rachelle Davis, a CCC-SLP and the Owner, Founder, and Clinical Director of Speak Speech Therapy!

At Speak Speech Therapy, my incredible team and I are passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals by building functional communication systems that empower our clients to connect with the world around them.

We specialize in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), including:✨ Low-tech AAC✨ Mid-tech AAC✨ High-tech AAC✨ Switches✨ Eye gaze systems✨ Multimodal communication supports

We believe that communication is for everyone, and our mission is to create systems that honor each individual’s unique way of communicating.

We are proud to be a neurodiversity-affirming hybrid clinic, partnering with 15 local, select, ABA centers and serving families in our two Tomball clinic locations. In addition to AAC services, we also provide:🗣️ Articulation therapy🗣️ Stuttering therapy🗣️ Traditional speech and language therapy, and feeding therapy related to sensory aversions or "picky eating" that is most likely undiagnosed ARFID.

If you’re new here — welcome! We’re so glad you found us and can’t wait to share more about what we do.

📍 Tomball, TX📞 832-356-5152📧 info@speakspeechtherapy.com

If you’re looking for compassionate, individualized speech therapy services, we’d love to connect!

04/17/2026

Ever feel like your child only wants to eat the same foods every day? You may be seeing what feeding therapists call a food jag. 🍽️

Food jags and “safe foods” are common in children with ARFID and pediatric feeding challenges. These patterns can feel overwhelming, but understanding why they happen is the first step toward helping your child expand their food variety with confidence.

In this post, I’m sharing what food jags are, what “safe foods” mean, and why recognizing these patterns matters in feeding therapy. Supporting feeding progress starts with understanding the child behind the behavior. 💛

04/16/2026

SLPs, this tool is a game changer.

I’ve been using GLINT by NerChat to create custom core boards for my patients, and I’m blown away by how easy and functional it is. Their new feature allows the boards to talk with a simple QR scan, and you can even customize the voice to match your patient’s needs.

Innovative tools like this are making communication supports more accessible, practical, and powerful for our limited communicators—and I am here for it.

04/15/2026

If you’re waiting months to see a feeding therapist and wondering what to do next—start here 👇

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) can feel overwhelming, especially when resources are limited. But before anything else, we need DATA.

What is your child actually eating?
Not just “chicken nuggets”—but what kind, what texture, what brand, what presentation?

Start looking for patterns:
• Crunchy vs. soft vs. mixed textures
• Color preferences
• Smell + flavor sensitivities
• Same brand/packaging every time
• Specific plates, locations, routines

These patterns tell us EVERYTHING about how your child experiences food—and they guide what we do next.

Step 1 isn’t changing their diet.
Step 1 is understanding it.

Because when we understand the “why,” we can build safe, realistic steps forward 💛

Due to the high demand for feeding therapy, I’m building a parent coaching program to help families get support sooner. We’ll be accepting BCBS, United Healthcare, select Cigna plans, and select Medicaid plans (including Texas Children’s), plus private pay.

If you want more info, drop your name + email/phone below or send me a DM

Address

25420 Kuykendahl Road
Tomball, TX
77375

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/speakspeechtx

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