Rachel DeSando
M.S. Ed., CCC-SLP
Why I Started Speech for Life
Rachel DeSando, MS Ed., CCC-SLP is an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certified Speech Language Pathologist, who is experienced in treating speech, literacy, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, having worked in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities with clients of all ages and abilities. Rachel is actively licensed in the states of California, Florida, and Virginia. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from her Alma Mater, Old Dominion University of Norfolk, Virginia. She has received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education, and has extensive training in the use of Modified Barium Swallow Study Analysis, VitalStim Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, Lively Letters (an Orton-Gillingham inspired reading program), and Lindamood Bell LiPS, and Seeing Stars programs for reading. Rachel is bilingual in English and Spanish, and is committed to providing excellent services and evidence-based practice to multilingual and multiculturally diverse families. Rachel takes pride in her innovative use of technology to serve clients via teletherapy in the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Rachel is passionate about helping children master skills in communication at a young age, so they can be successful with their best Speech For Life!
Success Stories
Discover the breakthroughs other families have experienced through speech for life therapy.
The Speech For Life Difference
Our clients enjoy effective and personalized therapy services from the comfort and convenience of their own homes.
Virtual Therapy Approach
Many parents, like you, are living very busy lives driving all around town for work, errands, and other extracurricular activities. We’re committed to offering you and your children a more convenient method of care to help get your child get back on track without you all having to sacrifice more family time.
Truly Customized Therapy
We believe your child is unique and special, and we work to tailor our services so therapy is fun for them each and every session. The more they enjoy therapy sessions, the greater potential for engagement and quicker growth.
Our Mission
SpeechForLife's mission is to deliver highest quality personalized therapy services to patients of all ages who desire improved quality of life and academic achievement for a lifetime.
Licensed, Credentialed & Experienced
Our therapists are ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologists who have experience working in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, skills nursing facilities and of course, teletherapy settings with clients of all ages and abilities.
Frequently asked questions
You're not alone, many clients come to us with a lot of questions. See the most common questions and answers here to guide you on your journey to find the best therapy partner for your child.
Should I "Wait and See?"
No, trust your instincts. You can stop the rising risk of your child being held back and instead enjoy seeing your child’s full potential, while hitting their growth milestones and restoring their confidence! So, schedule a complimentary video consultation with us today.
How would virtual therapy work for my toddler?
Every child is different, and that is the beauty of our approach to embrace each child’s interests and strengths to engage them in life changing interventions. Sometimes the calls are from the kitchen table high chair with snacks, others are on the floor with us “riding” on your phone virtually on a toy train track.
What should I expect in my consultation?
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What technology do we need for teletherapy?
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How does scheduling work?
Once your child completes their evaluation and we agree on a plan of service, we work together to schedule a consistent therapy schedule for you and your child.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept private pay via credit card, Flex Savings Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, and we are providers of the Florida Empowerment Scholarship so our services are eligible for reimbursement via SUFS. All payments are due in full at time of service.
Do you take insurance?
We do not bill private insurance companies. SpeechForLife will be happy to provide a Superbill for you to track towards a deductible for your insurance company after services have been completed and paid in full at your request.
What is the Florida Empowerment Scholarship, and how can I see if I qualify?
For more information please check out https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works/.
Request a Consultation
Request a no-obligation consultation so you can ask the questions and discern if speech for life therapy makes sense for your child.
Schedule Your Consultation
Meet us, get your questions answered and experience how your child interacts in teletherapy.
Receive the Proposed Plan
If you are seriously considering therapy for your child, we will conduct a detailed evaluation and present you a unique treatment plan for your child.
Feel Empowered & At Ease
Feel empowered knowing your child has the additional support they need to thrive.
