Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Strock and Fran Bellende.
Hi Suzy and Fran, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We are Fran and Suzy, two speech-language pathologists with over twenty years of combined experience in the pediatric field. Throughout our careers, we have had the privilege of serving children and families across public schools, private schools, and private clinic settings. These experiences shaped who we are as clinicians and strengthened our commitment to providing high-quality, individualized care.
In addition to traditional therapy settings, we developed a language enrichment program at Loulou House that combines themed learning with interactive, play-based activities designed to support communication, social interaction, and language development.
We specialize in working with children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, early speech and language delays, and other developmental needs. We have supported countless toddlers and young children in finding their voices, building confidence, and strengthening their ability to connect with others.
Action Speech was created out of both experience and purpose. Families in our community expressed a need for accessible, compassionate, and effective speech therapy closer to home. We listened. What began as a shared vision became a practice rooted in care, connection, and collaboration.
We believe that every child is unique and deserves an individualized approach. We are not afraid to think outside the box, explore new methods, or integrate emerging technologies when they serve the child’s best interests. Our goal is always meaningful progress, not one-size-fits-all therapy.
At Action Speech, we are building more than a practice. We are building a community. A space where families feel supported, children feel understood, and every small victory is celebrated. We lead with heart, guided by evidence-based practices, passion for our work, and a deep belief in each child’s potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, and that is true for many speech therapists. Early in our careers, we faced heavy caseloads, limited resources, and systems that often prioritize productivity over people. There were moments of burnout, self-doubt, and financial uncertainty, especially while balancing motherhood, family responsibilities, and professional growth.
We have been bitten, jumped on, and even insulted at times, but those experiences taught us how to build strong, trusting relationships with our clients. Over time, we learned how to meet therapy goals in ways that feel natural and engaging, often without the child even realizing they are working. Those struggles forced us to become resilient, adaptable, and very intentional. Most importantly, they pushed us away from a cookie-cutter mindset. Children on the autism spectrum are all different, and therapy requires creativity, flexibility, and thinking outside the box rather than rigidly applying everything exactly as it was taught in school.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We specialize in early childhood language development and working with children on the autism spectrum. Most of our work focuses on functional communication, social language, and play-based intervention, with a strong emphasis on parent education and carryover into daily life. We also work within Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public School contracts. In our practice, we provide services in English, French, and Haitian Creole, which allows us to better serve and connect with diverse families in our community.
What we are most proud of is creating programs that feel accessible, engaging, and empowering for families. Therapy should never feel intimidating or disconnected from real life. What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We combine evidence-based practices with cultural sensitivity, multilingual support, and a deep understanding of child development. We truly see each child as an individual and carefully plan therapy sessions around their specific needs. Our focus is not just on treating the child, but on supporting the entire family and building confidence within the family unit.
We find that our we both find excitement and joy in seeing the changes we provide in each child’s care and we both have the same sentiments when it comes to treating our kids.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Our advice is to focus on relationships, not titles. Some of the most impactful mentors in our lives were people we worked alongside, observed, and learned from organically. Staying curious, asking thoughtful questions, and being open to learning from others who do things differently has been incredibly valuable.
When it comes to networking, authenticity matters. Showing up consistently, supporting others, and building genuine connections has worked far better for us than transactional networking. Collaboration, community involvement, and simply being present have opened doors we never expected.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.action-speech.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actionspeech
