Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenen Zey.
Hi Brenen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I first became interested in the field of speech-language pathology when my younger brother, Eli, began receiving speech therapy in our home when he was 3 years old. At the time, he had already been diagnosed with epilepsy, and later he would be diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as well. When he was younger Eli communicated using echolalia, which means he would repeat phrases from movies or TV shows to communicate with others. In graduate school, I began working with children who had difficulty communicating using verbal speech and instead communicated using other methods (called Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC).
After graduating from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, in 2015, I moved to San Diego. After working for a few years for local school districts and another private practice, I started my private practice, Speech Bee, in August 2020, specializing in working with very young children who use echolalia and/or AAC to communicate. My goal was to create a neurodiversity-affirming therapy practice that honors the many different ways children learn, play, and communicate. My brother Eli was my first office assistant.
In January 2023, I hired my first full-time employee. Our team has now grown to include two full-time speech-language pathologists, a clinical fellow, an Assistive Technology assistant, and a practice manager. We provide early intervention services through the San Diego Regional Center, as well as private in-home speech & language therapy services to pediatric clients of all ages throughout San Diego County. In 2021, we also became a vendor for the California Voice Options Program, a grant funded by the Department of Rehabilitation and California Public Utilities Commission which provides free AAC devices to eligible Californians who are unable to speak or have difficulty speaking. Through the grant, we can provide greater communication access to Californians of all ages.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a home-based practice during the pandemic was a challenge. The majority of the children that I work with are under 3 years old, and I also work with many children who are medically fragile or have health concerns. It was a stressful time to be doing home visits.
It has also been an adjustment for me going from being a solo practitioner to an employer. It required a big shift in my mindset to start managing people after spending several years only being accountable to my clients. I feel very responsible for my team and for all of the families we work with. There are a lot of new administrative tasks and projects to juggle, along with continuing to see my own caseload. I’m lucky to have a great team!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Speech Bee is a pediatric speech & language therapy practice that provides in-home speech and language therapy in San Diego and Orange counties and virtual services throughout California. We are a neurodiversity-affirming practice committed to helping Autistic and otherwise neurodivergent children achieve greater independence by honoring all methods of communication and providing early access to AAC. We do not use behavior modification techniques during therapy and instead let each child’s strengths and interests drive therapy sessions.
We also believe in empowering parents and caregivers through collaboration and coaching. Our team includes experts in the areas of early intervention, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). We are proud of our compassionate and supportive approach to therapy. We are a vendor with the San Diego Regional Center’s Early Start and Self-Determination programs, as well as offering out-of-pocket therapy options. In addition to our therapy services, we also provide consultation, professional coaching, and group training. We are also a proud vendor for the California Voice Options program, which allows us to provide free speech-generating devices to eligible Californians of all ages.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have so many people to thank for supporting me so far- my husband, Jared, who supported me in quitting my job during a global pandemic to start Speech Bee. My sister, Morgan, joined us earlier this year as our practice manager. She’s supported me so much and is a major part of keeping things running smoothly. Lauren and Jordyn, our two amazing full-time speech-language pathologists, are such talented and dedicated professionals. They are truly committed to making our world a better place and show up for their clients in so many ways! My best friend and mentor, Bobbi Adams-Brown, who coached me through every day of my first year on my own. My mom, who has always been my biggest cheerleader. And finally, my brother, Eli, our first assistant, theoretical photographer, and big picture guy. Thank you for letting me share your story, Eli.
Contact Info:
- Website: speechbee.co
- Instagram: instagram.com/speech_bee
- Facebook: facebook.com/speechbeespeechtherapy
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/speech-bee-ca/
