2019 was a big year for us at Orange County Speech Services! We grew, our clients grew, our contracts with insurance companies expanded. The theme all around last year was growth, and for that we are so grateful. The work done in our clinic is rarely easy, but when we work together as a team, we see growth. We see movement. We see change.

We see new foods eaten, new words spoken for the first time, haircuts being tolerated, shoes being tied independently, bikes being ridden for the first time, new friendships formed, first steps taken, new goals being met, and many clients graduating and moving on. Don’t get me wrong, we also see things like tears being shed, tantrums and fits, struggles, complications, and even failures and setbacks. The journey is not always simple or linear, and we often find ourselves adapting to each child’s needs to find what works best for them, and thinking outside of the box to find new ways to meet goals and make change...but the effort from everyone involved gives us such a beautiful and important result: growth.

Not only has there been growth within our client’s lives, but growth within our therapist’s lives too! All of the work we do in our clinic would not be possible without our amazing team. Our lovely therapists are very good at what they do, and they work so hard for these kiddos. Miss Dana and Miss Emily had their babies, Miss Alex got married, Miss Natalie got Engaged, we welcomed new therapists onto our team, and we eagerly await the birth of our 2020 baby by Miss Nicole. The growth within our team is incredible! In addition to personal growth, our therapists continue to grow professionally by attending staff developments, trainings, and specialized workshops.

We are always learning, and always growing.

Our clinic, where all the magic happens, has grown too. We built four new rooms to accommodate our growing client list. We secured new contracts with Greater Newport Physicians, Regional Center Infant Development Program, Tricare, and Blue Shield PPO...which means more children have access to our care. More children have the opportunity for growth and change. More children have the chance to make life-changing goals, and then meet them, and exceed them.

We are in awe of all of the growth we have seen this year. From our clients and their families, from our therapists and staff, from our ever expanding clinic. This team we have created to help children is working together in a way that we never imagined. The collaboration, determination, and partnership between everyone who walks through our door has created a space for success, change, and growth - and that alone is reason to celebrate.

Thank you for being a part of this year, and this journey. Thank you for being part of what makes us grow.

Happy New Year, from all of us at Orange County Speech Services.