What is Collabracate and what do you do? Collabracate LLC is a consultative coaching company owned and operated by an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and an NBCOT-registered Occupational Therapist (OT). Rather than providing direct therapy services, we work with the families, caregivers, educators, and support teams surrounding individuals with disabilities — equipping them with the evidence-based strategies, visual supports, and practical tools they need to support meaningful progress in everyday life. Think of us as the clinical bridge between the therapy room and real life.
What is the difference between a consultation model and direct therapy? This is one of our most frequently asked questions and a really important one. In a traditional direct therapy model, a licensed therapist works one-on-one with the individual client during scheduled sessions — typically once or twice a week in a clinical, school, or home setting. Progress is made during those sessions, but the time between appointments is often where families feel lost or unsupported.
Collabracate's consultative model works differently. Rather than working directly with the individual, our licensed SLP and OT work with you — the parent, caregiver, teacher, or support team member who is present every single day. We coach you through evidence-based strategies, help you build meaningful routines, and provide the tools and confidence to support your loved one in the moments that matter most — at the dinner table, during morning routines, in the classroom, and throughout the community.
In short — therapists work with the client. Collabracate works with the team.
Does Collabracate replace my loved one's therapist? No — and that distinction is important to us. Collabracate is not a replacement for direct speech therapy or occupational therapy services. Our consultative coaching model is designed to complement and enhance the work already being done by your loved one's therapy team. We help you carry those therapy goals into everyday life, ensure consistency across environments, and maximize the impact of every therapy session your loved one attends.
My family member is on a waiting list for direct therapy services. Can Collabracate help us right now? Absolutely — and this is one of the most meaningful ways we are able to serve families. We know firsthand how long therapy waiting lists can be, and how frustrating it feels to watch your loved one's needs go unaddressed while you wait. Collabracate was built in part to serve exactly this situation. While you are waiting for a direct therapy placement, our licensed SLP and OT can meet with your family, assess your loved one's current needs, and begin coaching you through meaningful, clinician-designed activities and strategies you can implement at home right away. Progress does not have to wait. We can help you make the most of every day while you wait for a direct therapy opening — and when that opening comes, your family will already have a strong foundation of strategies and routines in place.
What ages and diagnoses does Collabracate work with? Collabracate proudly serves individuals and families across the lifespan — from young children to older adults. Our team has extensive experience supporting individuals and families navigating a wide range of diagnoses and conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Apraxia of Speech, Phonological Disorders, Articulation Disorders, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy (CP), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), developmental delay, degenerative neurological diseases, dementia, and more. Whether you are supporting a newly diagnosed toddler, an adolescent working toward greater independence, or an aging parent managing the challenges of a progressive condition, Collabracate has the clinical experience and compassion to meet your family where you are.
What does a typical coaching session look like? Every family, classroom, and individual is different — and our sessions reflect that. A typical consultation session begins with a conversation about your current challenges, goals, and daily routines. From there, our SLP and OT will observe the individual in their natural environment when possible, review existing therapy goals or school-based supports, and work collaboratively with your team to develop practical, personalized strategies. Sessions may include hands-on coaching, modeling of specific strategies or activities, development of visual supports or schedules, AAC coaching and implementation guidance, or caregiver and educator training. Every session is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
Do you accept insurance? Collabracate's consultative coaching services are currently offered on a private pay basis. Because our consultative model differs from traditional direct therapy services, coverage varies by insurance provider and individual plan. We encourage families to contact their insurance provider directly to inquire about potential reimbursement options for consultative coaching or therapeutic coaching services. We are happy to provide documentation of services rendered upon request to assist with any reimbursement inquiries. If you have questions about fees or payment options please do not hesitate to reach out — we are committed to working with families to make our services as accessible as possible.
📞 (219) 649-1443 ✉️ connect@collabracate.com
Do you offer virtual services? Yes. Virtual consultation services are available for families, schools, and caregivers who are outside of the Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland area or who prefer the convenience of remote sessions. Virtual sessions are conducted securely and are every bit as effective as in-person sessions for the majority of our consultative services. Collabracate is proud to serve clients nationwide through our virtual platform.
Not everyone in our family understands our loved one's disability. Can Collabracate help? You are not alone in this — and it is one of the most common challenges families tell us about. Caring for a loved one with a disability can sometimes feel isolating, especially when extended family members do not fully understand the diagnosis, dismiss certain behaviors, or interact in ways that are unintentionally unhelpful or overwhelming for your loved one. Navigating those dynamics on top of everything else a caregiver already manages can be exhausting.
Collabracate offers family education and training sessions specifically designed to bring the whole family on board. Our licensed SLP and OT can meet with extended family members — in person or virtually — to provide compassionate, straightforward education about your loved one's diagnosis, communication needs, sensory sensitivities, and behavioral profile. We help family members understand not just the what but the why behind their loved one's behaviors and needs, and coach them on practical, respectful ways to interact, communicate, and respond in ways that are genuinely helpful. When the whole family speaks the same language and operates from the same understanding, everyone benefits — especially your loved one.
What is AAC and how can Collabracate help? AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication — an umbrella term that encompasses all of the tools and strategies used to support individuals who are non-verbal or minimally verbal in communicating more effectively. AAC can include low-tech tools like picture boards and visual schedules as well as high-tech options like speech-generating devices and communication apps. Our ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist has extensive experience in AAC evaluation, selection, and implementation. We provide AAC coaching for families and school teams to ensure that communication tools are being used consistently and effectively across all environments — not just during therapy sessions.
What are visual supports and why are they important? Visual supports are tools — such as picture schedules, social narratives, visual timers, and choice boards — that use images, symbols, or written words to provide structure, increase predictability, and support communication and independence for individuals with disabilities. Research consistently supports the use of visual supports across a wide range of diagnoses and ages. Collabracate's SLP and OT create individualized visual supports tailored to your loved one's specific needs, environment, and communication level — and coach your family or school team on how to implement them effectively for maximum impact.
What is a sensory plan and does my family member need one? A sensory diet is a personalized, therapist-designed plan of sensory activities and strategies that help an individual regulate their sensory system throughout the day. Think of it less like a food diet and more like a daily schedule of sensory input — heavy work activities, movement breaks, tactile experiences, and calming strategies — designed to help the individual stay regulated, focused, and ready to engage. Sensory plans are commonly recommended for individuals with sensory processing differences, Autism, ADHD, and a variety of other conditions. Our NBCOT-registered Occupational Therapist designs individualized sensory plans and coaches families and educators on how to implement them effectively at home and in the classroom.
I am not a therapist. Will I be able to implement the strategies Collabracate teaches me? Absolutely — and helping non-clinicians implement clinical strategies confidently and effectively is exactly what we do. Our entire model is built around making evidence-based strategies accessible, understandable, and realistic for families and caregivers in real life. We do not expect you to become a therapist. We simply coach you through practical, manageable strategies that fit into your existing daily routines — and we are with you every step of the way to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate progress.
How is Collabracate different from just searching for strategies online? The internet is full of general information about autism, AAC, sensory processing, and communication strategies — and while some of it is helpful, much of it is generic, inconsistent, or not appropriate for your loved one's specific needs and diagnosis. Collabracate provides individualized clinical guidance from a licensed SLP and OT who take the time to understand your loved one, your family, and your specific circumstances. The strategies we recommend are evidence-based, tailored to your situation, and coached in a way that sets you up for real, lasting success — not just a list of ideas to try on your own.
Can Collabracate help our family even if our loved one already has a therapy team? Yes — in fact, some of our most impactful work happens alongside existing therapy teams. We can help your family carry therapy goals into the home environment, ensure consistency between what happens in therapy and what happens at home, and provide coaching on strategies that support your loved one's progress between sessions. We are happy to collaborate and communicate with existing therapy providers to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to your loved one's care.
Do you offer training for first responders and community organizations? We do — and it is a service we are incredibly passionate about. Individuals with disabilities and their families interact with first responders, community organizations, businesses, and faith communities every single day — and those interactions go so much more smoothly when the people involved have a basic understanding of disability, communication differences, and sensory needs. Collabracate offers customized disability awareness and accommodation training for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, community organizations, businesses, and more. Our goal is simple — to help build communities where every individual feels safe, understood, and fully included.
Can Collabracate work directly with our school or classroom? Yes. Collabracate provides comprehensive school consultation services for special education teams, general education classrooms, daycares, and early intervention programs. Our services include classroom AAC implementation, sensory plan integration, visual support development, special education staff training, general education inclusion training, and IEP support services. We work directly alongside teachers, paraprofessionals, and school teams to build practical, sustainable strategies for the classroom environment.
Our school administration will not fund outside consulting services. Are there other options? We understand that accessing administrative support and funding for outside consultation is not always possible — and we have enormous respect for the special education teachers and support staff who continue to advocate for their students despite these barriers. For educators seeking high-quality, clinician-developed classroom resources without the need for formal consultation services, Collabracate's licensed SLP and OT have developed a growing library of evidence-based classroom materials available through our Teachers Pay Teachers store. Practical, ready-to-use, and built by clinicians who have worked in real classrooms — because every student deserves a well-supported teacher, regardless of what the budget allows.
Does Collabracate work with adults and seniors? Absolutely. Collabracate proudly serves individuals and families across the full lifespan — including adults and seniors navigating degenerative neurological conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Our licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Occupational Therapist work with individuals and their caregivers to develop individualized visual supports, structured daily routines, and evidence-based communication strategies that promote safety, reduce confusion, and support longer independent living at home. We understand that the goal for many adult and senior clients and their families is simply to maintain the skills, independence, and quality of life they have worked so hard to build — and we are here to help make that possible for as long as possible.
What happens during the complimentary introductory call? The introductory call is a relaxed, no pressure conversation — there is nothing you need to prepare in advance and no obligation to move forward afterward. We simply want to hear from you. During the call we will ask you to share a little about your loved one or your school team, your current challenges, and what you are hoping to achieve through consultative coaching. From there we will answer your questions, walk you through how our services work, and talk through the best path forward for your family, classroom, or organization. We know that reaching out for support can feel like a big step — and we want that first conversation to feel as comfortable and encouraging as possible. Most families tell us they feel significantly more hopeful and supported after just that very first call.
How do I get started with Collabracate? Getting started is simple. Reach out to our team by phone or email and we will schedule a complimentary introductory call to discuss your needs, answer your questions, and determine the best path forward for your family, school, or organization. We serve families and schools throughout Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicagoland area in person, and are available nationwide through our telehealth and virtual consultation services.
📞 (219) 649-1443 ✉️ connect@collabracate.com 📱 Follow us on Facebook @ Collabracate, LLC
Have a question that is not answered here? Please reach out — no question is too big or too small. We would love to connect with you and help your family, school, or organization find the support it deserves.