Parent & Caregiver Testimonials
“Nicole has been an extraordinary partner in my son Jacob’s communication journey. She brings a blend of empathy, structured patience, and creative engagement that has made a meaningful difference in his ability to participate and express himself. Her flexibility in adapting sessions to Jacob’s needs — moment by moment — shows not only skill, but deep respect for who he is.
What stands out most is her commitment to truly understanding Jacob’s experience. She recognizes the challenges he faces when his body doesn’t cooperate with his intentions, and she meets those moments with compassion rather than frustration. Nicole consistently supports him in a way that preserves his dignity, encourages his confidence, and honors his voice.
I am profoundly grateful for the care, insight, and dedication she brings to every interaction with Jacob. She has become an invaluable part of his team.”
-Marilyn D. (Mother of Jacob, a 21 year-old man with nonspeaking Autism)
“Nicole has been an exceptional practitioner for my son, Michael. She has truly helped our family understand the importance of presuming competence, and that mindset has made a meaningful difference in Michael’s confidence and willingness to learn.
Nicole is patient, encouraging, and genuinely invested in her clients' progress. Michael still has a long way to go with his spelling, but we are already seeing real improvements. The most telling sign is that he asks to go to spelling sessions every day, which speaks volumes about how supported and motivated he feels.
We are very grateful for Nicole’s dedication and the positive impact she continues to have on Michael’s development.”
-Abigail K. (Parent)
"Being brand new to CO and only having experience with virtual S2C sessions the last 4 years, I was worried that we may not find an in person practitioner to connect with our nonspeaking adult son. To my delight, from the moment I was introduced to Nicole, I knew she was going to be the perfect fit for our son. Nicole is extremely patient, kind and a tireless advocate & champion of her clients and all nonspeakers! I appreciate the notes she provides to us and how openly she conveys directly to my son all of the successes he demonstrated at the conclusion of each session. I consider ourselves lucky to have found Nicole and Hope on Board!"
-Laurie Hellmann (Parent Caregiver to a 22 year-old nonspeaker)
“We’ve been working with Nicole for about 8 weeks now, and she has been such a gift! From day one, she’s had this natural ability to connect with J, really seeing him and meeting him exactly where he is at each session. Nicole consistently presumes competence, treating him like the intelligent 21-year-old man he is. This, along with her patience, humor, and attuned way of co-regulating, create a sense of safety that’s allowed him to stay focused and engaged during sessions.
Nicole also has a deep understanding of his need to move his body. She gives him the freedom to move without judgment, while finding that balance of also helping minimize loops and build more body control. Over these weeks, we’ve seen such growth in his accuracy, endurance, and ability to stay with the work. He shows up excited and joyful, and leaves feeling proud, and I truly believe that’s because he knows this work is leading him toward having a voice.
Nicole also gives guidance and tools for doing home lessons, which we’re doing twice a week between sessions. We feel incredibly lucky to be working with Nicole and wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a practitioner who is respectful, supportive, and just a genuinely kind human.”
-Kristy B. (Caregiver)