Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Stoneman.
Katie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I worked for 14 years in a school district near Dallas. In that time, I was exposed to hundreds of children with special needs as well as thousands of those developing typically. I worked with the youngest special education students just turning three through middle school age. Most often, I provided services in groups of four children and up to seven at a time. Each child had unique goals according to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and with that many children working on completely different skills, creativity and multitasking were essential. Somehow, I had to tie it all together to help each and every child I encountered learn — learn well and learn quickly. Over those years, I saw the prevalence of Autism increase from 1 in 150 to 1 in 68. I spent many years working with increasing numbers of children with autism who were low-verbal or nonverbal, as well as those who could communicate but were completely unable to interpret social nuances. Each year I facilitated communication for an average of 65-70 children at a time.
I also started a family during this time. As my children watched me work in special education, instead of experiencing my purpose and excitement in changing lives, they noted how much time I was spending away from them. Speech-language pathology is an essential service with outstanding rewards rarely experienced in other vocations; however, my children said they would never want to do what I do. Something needed to change.
I knew speech therapy as a treatment wasn’t designed to be provided in large groups and while I was able to do this, and do it effectively, I knew there had to be another way to make it truly “individualized.” I also knew from experience with a home health company as well as a therapy clinic that progress can generally come faster one-on-one.
It was an agonizing decision to leave a job I loved and move away from my identification as an educational speech-language pathologist. After much prayer, I felt a sense of peace as I moved into a position more medically-based with hours that would allow me to spend more time with my children in their elementary years. But, over the next 3 months, my life changed completely. Every window with the new position closed, and every door toward opening my own practice opened. I did not set out to open a private practice, however, every small piece fell into place, from the business name, the location, the logo design; I even knew immediately what the company colors were supposed to be! The phone number, with the word “TALK” at the end, was also the perfect fit. I could not have planned it any better — because I didn’t. I was led to use the talents God has given me to change lives in my own company, and here I am. Welcome to Frisco Speech!
Frisco Speech & Language Therapy now serves preschool children through early elementary, remediating delays and disorders in our youngest learners before they have an educational impact. As a private practitioner, I can set my schedule to see my children do the things that are important to them. Now, my children appreciate my job, and they are able to see that I can be a mommy while I make a difference in the lives around us.
The growth of the business is phenomenal, which results in need for additional staff! However, I am not quick to hire; I have to find the best.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am well-versed in special education law, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), normal language development, and atypical development, resulting in a knowledge base rarely found in a private clinic. Because children spend the majority of their time in educational environments and activities, this thorough understanding is critical. Having worked with hundreds of children in special education, I gained experience in a multitude of areas treating a multitude of disabilities. I had the added benefit of regularly interacting with a total of thousands of typical children of all ages in public schools, increasing my exposure to normal attainment of developmental milestones, exposure a typical private clinician is not likely to have had.
I specialize in early language development in children who are nonverbal or late to start talking, the development of social communication in children with autism, and rapid progress in children with articulation disorders.
Having trained speech language pathology interns and in acting as a mentor to newer clinicians, I am also easily able to train my staff. Frisco Speech & Language Therapy offers outstandingly unique speech and language therapy services where patients can expect honesty, dedication, and superior results.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Frisco and its surrounding areas are booming with young families and children. I love serving the families in my community and helping these children progress to their fullest potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.FriscoSpeech.com
Image Credit:
Frisco Speech
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