Ashley Ray
Founder, Owner, M.S. CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist, NLA and Gestalt Language
Trained Therapist, Inside Out Sensory Certified SLP
Hi! My name is Ashley Ray and I am a speech language pathologist who specializes in working with autistic clients who are nonspeaking and who can benefit from the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. I have worked in the public schools, in private practice and in the medical field and while I have enjoyed them all, I love the freedom that private practice offers! Being able to provide in-home services allows me to provide therapy that is both functional and comforting to my clients and gives them
their best opportunity to be successful.
My Why
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My Why ✿
Although I always knew I wanted to be a speech language pathologist, I never knew what area I wanted to specialize in. Speech language pathology is an immensely varied field, and the options to specialize in are endlessly great. However, while going through the different placements in my graduate program, none of them ever seemed “right.”
Then in the beginning of 2018, I unknowingly met the boy who would change my speech career forever.
My sweet nephew Hudson Tyler was born April 25, 2018 and was pure sweetness!
He was such a joyful little baby and so quick to smile and laugh at anything he loved. He is one of the greatest sources of joy in my life, and everyone who knows me, knows him. They would all agree that we are besties.
In early 2021, Hudson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and dyspraxia.
While it was not a huge surprise—he had no spoken language at 3 years of age and had sensory struggles we had noticed—but what the doctor said was devastating to our family.
We were told that he most likely would never be able to meaningfully communicate, and the frustrations he was experiencing would only continue to worsen, further limiting what Hudson could do.
Witnessing Hudson’s daily life opened my eyes. After seeing these frustrations with the expectations of verbally communicating in real time, I was introduced to AAC.
I dove into implementing AAC in everything.
I have had the privilege of working so closely with my sister and brother in-law to help Hudson learn
how to participate in the community, and I can confidently say that AAC has forever changed my life, as well as Hudson’s. I want to be able to help other families also feel the life-changing effects of AAC.