Today we’d like to introduce you to Renée Bruder
Hi Renée, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Sure! I love telling my story.
I started Heyday Speech & Language Therapy in May 2022 with little idea it would be as successful as it is today. I never had any desire to start my own business- that was for go-getters, doers, successful people. Not a late-in-life career starter with ADHD and a boat load of student debt. BUT, the opportunity presented itself that year with parents asking me if I offered my speech therapy services during the summer between school years. I took a deep dive into learning all about what I would need to get my business started (hi, hyperfocus ADHD) and in just a few short weeks I had everything I needed to start seeing my first client. I loved it. I got to set my own schedule, provide services without the red tape of the school district, and really connect with my clients and families instead of the brief 15-20 minute weekly group sessions I was doing at school to satisfy the 70+ student caseload.
Fast forward to November that same year and I was giving my notice to the school district and planned on taking my growing practice full time. I started seeing clients at their homes, daycares, and private schools, traveling quite a bit during the day. I quickly realized a small office space was what I needed or I would burn out just like I did working for the school district. I found a space that would work (signed the lease the same day- hi, impulsive ADHD) and moved in that weekend. My caseload was growing faster than I could have imagined and my needs were changing. I realized that I truly loved working with autistic children, supporting their communication development using child-led, play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approaches. With this population came a need to have a larger space so I could support sensory differences and regulation while teaching new skills and modeling language.
So, I found the space I am in today and could not be happier. I now work almost exclusively with autistic children, supporting their communication, honoring their individual ways of being and communicating, while creating a foundation of connection and trust. I do not use compliance based strategies to increase communication skills, instead I focus on ways to support children toward meaningful and authentic communication. I work closely with their parents and caregivers and support them as they learn how best to support their child at home. I also provide trainings to teachers, social workers, and other related professionals about the power of neurodiversity-affirming care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I knew owning a business and being a solo practice would come with challenges, but I would say I have handled the challenges with mostly patience and grace and maybe a little screaming. Most challenging has been managing my ADHD. It really shows up in my day-to-day when I need to start a task, submit billing, call a new client, write chart notes, or complete an evaluation report (or any one of the LONG list of duties that come with being a SLP and business owner). I really have to implement strategies and support my needs during the day just like I do with my neurodivergent clients.
Another difficult reality is that I have a suspected chronic illness (waiting to be confirmed) of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome). My symptoms are primarily increased heart rate when changing positions like sitting to standing (I’m talking 85 beats to upwards of 160-it’s like I’m doing a cardio workout just walking to the bathroom), extreme fatigue, and dizziness. It takes a lot out of me and causes me to have to cancel sessions often at the last minute. Luckily, I am very transparent about this with the families I work with and every single one has been incredibly accommodating to my needs. Things are becoming much more manageable as I learn more about it, but yeah, it’s hard.
As you know, we’re big fans of Heyday Speech and Language Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Heyday Speech and Language Therapy is a private, speech language therapy practice located in Sandy, Utah in Salt Lake County. I primarily work with autistic children and support their communication needs, including gestalt language processing, speech sound disorders, social differences, and sensory regulation. I use a child-led, play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach to care. Using these approaches, children are learning new skills in ways that bring joy and meaning to them. I do not try to change an autistic child to “look neurotypical” or teach them to communicate in a way that does not honor their individual differences. I encourage the use of many forms of communication and do not value one over the other (eg, verbal speech is not greater than gestures or a speech generating device).
I am most proud of the work I do to teach neurodiversity-affirming ways of being. I learn from adult autistics because they are the experts of their brains. I do not teach compliance or use compliance-based strategies as they are not only traumatic for children (as reported by autistics), but they actually decrease intrinsic motivation and independence.
I offer weekly sessions and accept some insurance and offer private pay discounted rates.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
We all start with just one! Everyone starts with that first client and it will slowly (or quickly) grow and continue to grow if you are passionate about what you do, true to yourself, and allow yourself to be vulnerable and brave even when it feels scary.
Pricing:
- Insurances- BCBS, EMI, Select Health, PEHP, University of Utah Health Plans
- Private pay
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heydayspeech.com
- Instagram: @heydayspeechslp
- Facebook: @heydayspeech
