Speech Therapy Action Taskforce (STAT)

The children behind the numbers

Read Columbus and Sebastian’s story, Kevin’s grandmother’s story, and the reporting and research library about access to care.

Patient and family stories

Columbus and Sebastian

Columbus’s 10-year-old son Sebastian is nonverbal and uses an AAC device. Over three years of speech therapy, Columbus has watched him keep making strides toward expressing himself, learning, and participating more fully.

Kevin’s grandmother

Kevin’s grandmother says speech therapy has been “night and day.” Kevin was previously quiet, nonverbal, and not yet babbling; she now sees a growing vocabulary and skills carry into everyday life.

Some stories are shared directly by families. Others are representative composites created to reflect common patient and caregiver experiences while protecting patient confidentiality. Composite accounts are illustrative and are not individual testimonials.

News reporting and published research

Explore attributed local reporting on access challenges alongside published research on early intervention outcomes. Visit the Sources & methodology library for the reporting and research references.

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Sources & methodology

The evidence, policy materials, and attributed reporting referenced on this page are listed below. Read the complete Sources & methodology library.