Blue Kite Speech and Language Therapy, LLC

At Blue Kite Speech and Language Therapy, we help children and adults develop meaningful communication skills. Blue Kite’s guiding principle is the belief that together, we can Soar Beyond Words. We believe communication is more than spoken language. Blue Kite embraces a whole-person, family-centered approach that recognizes each individual's unique strengths, values, and goals. Communication can take many forms, and every person deserves meaningful opportunities to connect, express themselves, build relationships, and participate fully in everyday life. Blue Kite's founder and speech-language pathologist, Joanna Couch, brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal insight. As the sister of a young man with autism, and with experience as an ESE teacher, educational leader, consultant, and therapist, she understands the importance of individualized, compassionate care. Joanna is a Florida-licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist with degrees in Special Education, Educational Leadership, and Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is also trained in Hanen More Than Words® and PECS Levels 1 and 2, bringing specialized expertise in supporting autistic individuals and those with complex communication needs. With more than a decade of experience at the University of Central Florida's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UCF CARD), Joanna has provided extensive consultation to individuals and families affected by autism and related disabilities, helping them navigate communication, behavioral, educational, and community-based challenges. She has developed, led, and facilitated programs supporting autistic individuals and people with related disabilities across the lifespan. Her work has included facilitating the Hanen More Than Words® Program, leading AAC training programs for caregivers, developing sibling support groups, co-leading Adulting courses for adults with autism and related disabilities, teaching executive functioning classes for teens, and creating visual supports and training materials for families, educators, and community organizations. Joanna has collaborated extensively with families, educators, healthcare providers, community agencies, and policymakers to expand access to meaningful supports and services that promote participation, independence, and quality of life. Blue Kite provides collaborative, neuroaffirming, and strengths-based therapy for neurodivergent individuals, including those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Services support a wide range of communication and learning needs, including receptive and expressive language, executive functioning, childhood apraxia of speech, early language development, social communication, AAC implementation, and other neurodevelopmental differences. Each therapy plan and session is personalized to support the unique needs of the individual and their family while honoring their strengths, preferences, identity, and goals. Through meaningful partnerships with individuals and families, Blue Kite fosters confidence, connection, independence, self-advocacy, and authentic communication across all environments.