Celebrating all voices-in clinic, at home, and beyond
At AAC and Beyond Speech Therapy, our mission is to empower every individual with the tools, support, and voice they need to connect with the world around them. We are dedicated to fostering inclusive and accessible communication by providing neurodiversity affirming and evidence-based speech, language, and AAC services. Through collaboration with families and communities, we strive to ensure that every voice is heard, respected, and celebrated—no matter how it’s expressed.
Emma Depew, M.S. CCC-SLP
My name is Emma Depew, and I am the owner and founder of AAC & Beyond Speech Therapy. I earned my Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Redlands in 2016. Since then, I have had the privilege of working across a wide range of pediatric settings, each shaping the clinician I am today.
I began my career as an intern in the inpatient setting at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, where my passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) first took root. During this time, I worked closely with families to help provide reliable and meaningful communication systems—whether for short-term use during hospitalization or as long-term supports both in and out of the hospital.
From there, I transitioned into the school setting, where I have spent the better part of the past decade as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and AAC specialist. In this role, I provide a broad range of communication services, and one of my favorite aspects of the job is the variety each day brings. A typical day might include targeting articulation goals, fine-tuning an eye-gaze device so a student can play their favorite reggae song, supporting self-advocacy for clients who stutter, and ending the day by building expressive and receptive language skills.
The decision to open my own practice grew from a desire to focus on community-based therapy. This dynamic approach supports clients in carrying over skills learned in traditional therapy settings into real-world environments. Community-based therapy is designed to foster confidence, independence, and functional communication in everyday situations.
I believe in a neurodiversity-affirming approach that honors each child’s unique strengths and interests. At AAC & Beyond Speech Therapy, our mission is to empower every individual with the tools, support, and voice they need to connect with the world around them.
The story behind the nameAAC & Beyond was inspired by a remarkable client with a deep love for all things Buzz Lightyear. One of his favorite catchphrases, “To infinity and beyond!”, became the guiding spirit behind our name. When he received his first eye-gaze communication device, his world expanded infinitely—he was finally able to express himself without limits.
AAC & Beyond represents our unwavering belief in presuming competence and recognizing that every child has infinite potential to grow, connect, and communicate. We are committed to helping individuals move beyond barriers and reach new possibilities in communication—to infinity and beyond.
Testimonials
“Emma has been an AMAZING Speech Therapist for my son. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about her work. She finds different ways to have my son engage in using his eye gaze by making it not only effective but also fun at the same time. Although he can't verbally speak, she understands the complexity and helps him navigate ways to communicate any way possible. She is a BIG advocate for kids like my son, and we have been blessed to have her work with him. Thank you, Emma, for helping my son find his voice! ”
— Client's Parent
"We were incredibly lucky to have Emma work with our son from 1st through 5th grade. She took the time to truly understand him, not just what he said but what he meant, how he processed things, and how best to support him as an individual. She never made assumptions or treated him like just another student on her caseload. She would often reach out to see what we were seeing at home and what we hoped he could work on, and she always used that input to shape her sessions. She listened, adjusted, and made sure what she did with him really fit his needs. Her support made a real difference, not just in his communication but in his confidence, and we’re so grateful for the role she played in his journey."
— Client's Parent