Expressable Raises Millions to Scale Speech Therapy

Addressing Communication Challenges with Digital Speech Therapy

For over 40 million individuals across the United States, effective communication presents a significant hurdle. A newly established startup, headquartered in Austin, is actively working to broaden access to solutions. Expressable is a digital speech therapy provider.

Telehealth and Asynchronous Support

The company facilitates connections between patients and qualified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) through both telehealth sessions and asynchronous support options. Recently, Expressable secured $4.5 million in a new seed funding round.

Focus on Pediatric Communication Disorders

This early-stage venture is specifically dedicated to assisting the roughly five million children in the U.S. who experience communication disorders. What may initially appear as infrequent stammering can potentially evolve into a more substantial communication issue.

Therefore, the company aims to provide early intervention, guiding children toward improved communication skills. Proactive support is key to a clearer developmental trajectory.

Company Background and Funding

Founded in 2019 by Nicholas Barbara and Leanne Sherred, Expressable has already provided services to thousands of families. The co-founders recently announced the successful completion of their seed funding round.

This funding was co-led by Lerer Hippeau and NextView Ventures, with additional investment from Amplifyher Ventures. The capital will be strategically allocated to several key areas.

Future Expansion Plans

Expanding the network of qualified providers.
Achieving in-network status with insurance providers.
Further developing its educational technology (edtech) service offerings.

These initiatives are designed to enhance accessibility and improve the quality of care offered by Expressable.

What Expressable Offers

In essence, Expressable facilitates ongoing connections between children and qualified speech-language pathologists. Therapy sessions are conducted live through a secure Zoom for Healthcare platform, utilizing professionals employed full-time by Expressable. Clients receive matching with a therapist specializing in their specific needs, ranging from public speaking difficulties to conditions like vocal cord paralysis.

Parents can communicate directly with their child’s SLP via secure SMS messaging for scheduling, inquiries, and coordination throughout the week. This ensures consistent support and collaboration.

Asynchronous Support and Learning

Beyond real-time sessions, Expressable provides a range of asynchronous services to supplement therapy. The company is developing an e-learning platform featuring homework assignments and lessons. These are prescribed by the therapist and delivered via SMS, enabling parents to actively participate in reinforcing speech care plans.

These activities are designed to be brief and easily integrated into daily routines – during commutes, meal preparation, or playtime – and are tailored to encourage interaction with children. Examples include prompting a child to request juice or engaging in imitation games to practice two-word phrases.

expressable launches with millions for scalable speech therapy

Parental Involvement and Accessibility

A key aspect of Expressable’s approach is the strong emphasis on parental participation in the therapeutic process. Research indicates that increased parental involvement correlates with improved outcomes. However, this model could potentially create barriers for families with limited financial resources or demanding work schedules.

Currently priced at an average of $59 per week, Expressable’s services are primarily accessed through out-of-pocket payments, rather than insurance coverage.

Barbara, a company representative, highlighted a gap in the market: “While there’s ample material available for SLPs, there’s a scarcity of resources created *by* SLPs *for* parents, presented in an easily understandable format.”

Addressing a Significant Need

Expressable aims to improve upon the current landscape of speech therapy, where many children do not receive necessary treatment. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that approximately 8-9% of children experience speech sound disorders, yet only half receive intervention.

Early intervention is crucial, as an occasional stutter can evolve into a more significant communication disorder. Expressable seeks to address this by providing timely support and guidance.

Sherred explained that public schools, while being the primary providers of pediatric speech services, are often hampered by insufficient funding. Furthermore, services are frequently delivered in group settings, which can prolong the time required to achieve progress.

Sherred, having worked as an SLP, directly observed the challenges created by gaps in school-based interventions. Her career has largely focused on providing in-home health services, working directly with children in their homes and daycare facilities.

A Broad User Base

While the majority of Expressable’s clients are children, approximately 35% are adults, demonstrating that speech issues can persist beyond childhood.

Meagan Loyst, who facilitated the investment from Lerer Hippeau, personally experienced the difficulties of finding remote SLP therapy after being diagnosed with a speech and voice condition in 2020.

“Prior to Expressable, there wasn’t a readily available consumer brand dedicated to resolving the challenges faced by individuals with communication disorders,” Loyst stated. “They are demonstrably attracting top-tier SLPs, integrating parents and education into the process to enhance outcomes for children, and delivering these benefits in a cost-effective and convenient manner through virtual care.”

Telehealth Evolution

Despite continued adoption rates exceeding those seen before the pandemic, the volume of telehealth appointments is currently decreasing. A significant hurdle for digital telehealth companies, including Expressable, lies in effectively demonstrating the benefits of a completely virtual care model in a post-pandemic environment.

The founders of Expressable emphasized the importance of consistency, both within the company and in its interactions with patients, as a key differentiator.

Speech therapy, for instance, is often a long-term commitment, with many individuals attending sessions weekly or monthly for extended periods. Barbara highlighted this, noting that many other telehealth services focus on quick, convenient primary care. Expressable, however, provides a more sustained treatment plan that necessitates a strong provider-patient connection.

Furthermore, Expressable distinguishes itself by directly employing its specialists as full-time W-2 employees, unlike many other telehealth startups. This strategic decision aims to assure clients of a lasting relationship with their chosen Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

Currently, the company employs 50 SLPs on a W-2 basis. A clear career trajectory has been established for SLPs, alongside a compelling value proposition offering remote work, flexible hours, above-average compensation, and comprehensive benefits typically unavailable to contractors.

Avoiding the conventional contractor model presents a unique advantage, but also introduces challenges. The startup must quickly and efficiently recruit SLPs specializing in a wide range of speech disorders. Expansion into new geographic areas also requires navigating complex local licensing regulations, rather than simply utilizing a white-label staffing solution.

Although aiming for nationwide coverage, Expressable presently provides services in 15 states, ensuring all its SLPs are fully licensed within those jurisdictions.