Speech by Katie is a registered Step Up For Students service provider. Families with a Unique Abilities Scholarship or Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship can use their funds for pediatric speech therapy — in your home, virtually, or at school.
Katie Tashkin, MS, CCC-SLP is an approved service provider through Step Up For Students — meaning eligible families can direct their scholarship funds directly to Speech by Katie.
Questions about your scholarship eligibility? Visit stepupforstudents.org or call Step Up at 877-735-7837.
Step Up For Students is a Florida nonprofit that manages several state-authorized scholarship programs, empowering families to choose the educational services that best meet their child's individual needs. Rather than being limited to what's available through public school systems, families with eligible children can direct scholarship funds toward private therapy, private school tuition, curriculum materials, and more.
For families of children with speech, language, feeding, or reading challenges, this means access to the specialist of your choice — including Speech by Katie — at no out-of-pocket cost when scholarship funds are available.
Katie is a registered provider through Step Up, which means the scholarship payment process is already set up. Families simply need to confirm their scholarship balance covers speech therapy services and contact Katie to get started.
Two Step Up scholarship programs are most relevant to families seeking pediatric speech therapy. Contact Step Up For Students or visit their website to confirm your child's eligibility and current balance.
Formerly known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), this scholarship is specifically designed for students with a documented diagnosis — including many conditions commonly treated through speech-language pathology. Funds can be used for therapy services directly.
The PEP scholarship is available to K–12 students who are home educated and not enrolled in a public school or Florida Home Education Program. Funds can be used for a range of educational services — including speech therapy from a qualified provider like Speech by Katie.
Four simple steps from scholarship to first session.
Log into your Step Up For Students account at stepupforstudents.org to confirm your scholarship type, balance, and that speech therapy services are covered.
Call, text, or fill out the form below. Let Katie know you have a Step Up scholarship — she'll confirm her provider status and discuss your child's needs.
A free 15-minute phone call to discuss your child's challenges, goals, and whether an evaluation is appropriate. No paperwork, no commitment.
Once enrolled, your scholarship is processed through the Step Up platform. Sessions begin on a schedule that works for your family — at home, virtually, or at school.
The Unique Abilities Scholarship requires a qualifying diagnosis. Many of the conditions that Speech by Katie specializes in are on the eligible list. Eligibility is confirmed by Step Up For Students — this is not an exhaustive list and requirements may change.
Katie specializes in communication and language therapy for children on the autism spectrum across all levels.
A motor speech disorder affecting a child's ability to plan and produce speech sounds consistently.
Language-based reading disorder that responds well to phonological awareness therapy — an SLP specialty.
Receptive and expressive language delays and disorders affecting a child's ability to understand and communicate.
Oral motor dysfunction and dysphagia — Katie is VitalStim certified for complex feeding and swallowing cases.
Communication therapy and AAC support for children with intellectual disabilities across the spectrum.
Important note: Scholarship eligibility is determined entirely by Step Up For Students, not by Speech by Katie. Please visit stepupforstudents.org or call them at 877-735-7837 to confirm your child's eligibility before contacting us. Katie is happy to discuss clinical fit at any stage of the process.
Contact Katie today. Let her know you have a Step Up scholarship when you reach out — she'll confirm the details and set up your free consultation.
When you reach out, it helps to know your scholarship type (Unique Abilities or PEP), your current balance, and your child's diagnosis. Katie will take it from there.
Tell us about your child and your Step Up scholarship. Katie responds personally within one business day.