Lakeshore Speech Therapy
Lakeshore Speech Therapy is a woman-owned Ohio-based manufacturer of SLP-designed low-tech AAC communication boards for playgrounds, pools, clinics, emotional regulation, and therapeutic riding settings, serving school districts, parks and recreation departments, therapy clinics, and nonprofits across all 50 US states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWestlake, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lakeshore Speech Therapy does
Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, operating as Lakeshore Speech Therapy, is a woman-owned small business headquartered in Lakewood, Ohio that designs and manufactures SLP-designed Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) boards for public and clinical environments. Founded and operated by co-founders VernaAnn Kotansky (President) and Ellen Spear (Vice-President), both MA CCC/SLP certified practicing speech-language pathologists with 60+ years of combined clinical experience, the company produces five core physical product lines: Playground Communication Boards, Pool Communication Boards, Clinic/Therapy Communication Boards, Emotional Balance Boards, and Therapeutic Riding Communication Boards. The boards incorporate proprietary evidence-based vocabulary placement (linguistic mapping for motor memory), Modified Fitzgerald Key color coding, licensed Boardmaker and SymbolStix symbol sets, and durable MaxMetal aluminum composite construction for outdoor applications, with claimed 15+ year lifespan compared to roughly two years for corrugated plastic alternatives.
The business runs a direct-to-consumer model: customers request quotes online and receive personalized estimates within 24 hours, paying via purchase orders, checks, credit cards, or ACH. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $200 MSRP for Coroplast sandwich-sign and magnetic-tile boards to $550-$675 MSRP for aluminum composite boards in standard sizes, with add-on fees for color coding ($175 per board), additional languages ($175-$575 setup), and cell customization ($50-$525). The company accepts no external funding and maintains founder ownership; it supplements DTC sales with conference presence (e.g., OPRA 2024), professional AAC workshops, content marketing (100+ blog articles), and channel partnerships with SeeMyLegacy (municipal funding navigation), Ben Shaffer Recreation, Space for Play, and PATH Intl. certified riding centers. Customers include K-12 school districts, municipal parks and recreation departments, private speech therapy clinics, aquatic facilities, nonprofit organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, and therapeutic riding centers, with shipments reaching all 50 US states.
Lakeshore Speech Therapy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lakeshore Speech Therapy
- Legal name
- Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC
- Website
- https://lakeshorespeech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lakeshore Speech Therapy is a woman-owned Ohio-based manufacturer of SLP-designed low-tech AAC communication boards for playgrounds, pools, clinics, emotional regulation, and therapeutic riding settings, serving school districts, parks and recreation departments, therapy clinics, and nonprofits across all 50 US states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lakeshore Speech Therapy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistive Communication Devices
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL), Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation, Implementation & Training (School-Based) (EDAKAEAI)
Keywords
Where Lakeshore Speech Therapy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westlake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lakeshore Speech Therapy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Communication Board Sales: One-time purchase of custom communication boards manufactured to order. Revenue generated from sale of aluminum composite boards, Coroplast boards, and magnetic tile versions. Customization options, color coding add-ons, and multi-language features generate additional revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aluminum Composite Boards - Standard sizes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coroplast (Corrugated Plastic) Boards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Magnetic Tile Boards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Color Coding System Add-on |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Additional Languages Setup |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Customization Fees |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Lakeshore Speech Therapy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC designs, manufactures, and ships custom AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) communication boards for outdoor and clinical environments. Boards are designed by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists using evidence-based vocabulary layouts and licensed Boardmaker/SymbolStix symbol systems, and are produced in aluminum composite, Coroplast, and magnetic tile formats for playgrounds, pools, clinics, emotional regulation spaces, and therapeutic riding facilities.
Product overview
Resources at Lakeshore Speech (Lakeshore Speech Therapy) is a woman-owned small business that designs and manufactures SLP-designed AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) communication boards. The company offers a portfolio of five core physical communication board products: Playground Communication Boards for outdoor inclusive play environments, Pool Communication Boards for aquatic settings, Clinic/Therapy Communication Boards for clinical settings, Emotional Balance Boards for self-regulation support, and Therapeutic Riding Communication Boards for equine therapy centers. All boards feature ASHA-certified SLP design with evidence-based vocabulary layouts using Boardmaker and SymbolStix symbol systems, and are available in aluminum composite (outdoor/durable), coroplast (indoor/portable), and magnetic tile formats, with color-coding options including Modified Fitzgerald and Gossens' systems. Pricing ranges from $200 for coroplast/magnetic formats to $550-$675 for aluminum composite boards, with 2-7 business day production and nationwide shipping.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Playground Communication Boards
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces solitary play by 70% and doubles peer-to-peer friendships according to inclusive play research
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lakeshore Speech Therapy
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lakeshore Speech Therapy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Lakeshore Speech Therapy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SeeMyLegacycoreSeeMyLegacy partners with Lakeshore Speech to help municipalities navigate funding for inclusive playground communication boards. SeeMyLegacy provides financial support resources and grant application guidance for communities seeking to install communication boards.
- Ben Shaffer RecreationminorBen Shaffer Recreation is a recreation design company that partners with Lakeshore Speech to provide inclusive playground solutions including communication boards.
- Space for Play, Inc.minorSpace for Play is a playground design company offering inclusive play solutions. They partner with Lakeshore Speech to provide communication boards as part of comprehensive inclusive playground designs.
- Boardmaker (Symbol System)coreLakeshore Speech holds licensing for Boardmaker symbols, ensuring continuity with AAC vocabulary systems that students already use in special education classrooms. Boardmaker (PCS) icons are professionally licensed for use on communication boards.
- SymbolStix (Symbol System)coreLakeshore Speech holds licensing for SymbolStix symbols, providing alternative AAC symbol option alongside Boardmaker. Symbol consistency across environments reduces cognitive load for AAC users transitioning between classroom and community settings.
- MaxMetal (Aluminum Composite Material)coreLakeshore Speech sources MaxMetal aluminum composite for their premium outdoor communication boards. MaxMetal provides the 3mm aluminum composite material with UV-resistant coating and anti-graffiti protection used in their durable outdoor products.
- PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International)minorTherapeutic riding boards are designed specifically for PATH Intl. certified centers. Boards feature vocabulary and color-coding systems that align with therapeutic riding protocols and equine-assisted therapy standards.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lakeshore Speech Therapy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Attainment Company: Special education and AAC materials producer offering low-tech AAC products, communication boards, and visual supports for school and community environments. Directly comparable in product format (physical AAC boards) and customer base (educators, therapists, special ed programs).
- Inclusive TLC: Most direct competitor — designs and sells playground and public-space AAC communication boards to parks, schools, and municipalities. Operates in the same outdoor/SLP-designed communication board niche as Lakeshore Speech Therapy with overlapping customer base.
Others
- EnableMart: Distributor and reseller of AAC, assistive technology, and special education products. Comparable as a distribution counterpart in the AAC/supports space, though operates as retailer rather than manufacturer.
Emerging players
- AssistiveWare: Developer of Proloquo2Go and other AAC apps for iPad/iPhone. Represents the digital-AAC alternative that competes for the same AAC budget dollars and end-users (nonverbal children with autism, CP, Down syndrome) as physical communication boards.
- Crick Software: UK-based developer of Clicker and Clicker Communicator — AAC and literacy software used in special education. Digital-AAC peer targeting the same SLP-driven segment of the K-12 market.
- Slater Software: Developer of AAC communication apps including Proloquo, Proloquo2Go, and Pictello. Digital-AAC peer whose apps serve the same end-user population (children and adults needing AAC) using iPad-based delivery rather than physical boards.
Broad incumbents
- Tobii Dynavox: Major AAC device manufacturer and owner of Boardmaker (whose symbols Lakeshore Speech licenses). While primarily focused on high-tech speech-generating devices, its Boardmaker division competes in the AAC symbol/board space more broadly.
- Smartbox Assistive Technology: UK-based AAC device and software manufacturer (Grid, LAMP) operating at the intersection of high-tech AAC and symbol-based communication. Comparable as an AAC ecosystem provider, though more tech-forward than Lakeshore's physical-board focus.
- PRC-Saltillo: Major AAC industry incumbent producing speech-generating devices and accompanying resources (including the TouchChat app ecosystem). Competes indirectly through higher-tech AAC systems that may substitute for physical outdoor communication boards.
- Super Duper Publications: Established speech-language pathology and special education materials publisher producing therapy cards, workbooks, and educational supports. Compares as a broader SLP-focused materials provider serving similar clinical and school customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lakeshore Speech Therapy social profiles
Digital presenceLakeshore Speech Therapy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lakeshore Speech Therapy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Lakeshore Speech Therapy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lakeshore Speech Therapy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lakeshore Speech Therapy
What does Lakeshore Speech Therapy do?
Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC designs, manufactures, and ships custom AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) communication boards for outdoor and clinical environments. Boards are designed by ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists using evidence-based vocabulary layouts and licensed Boardmaker/SymbolStix symbol systems, and are produced in aluminum composite, Coroplast, and magnetic tile formats for playgrounds, pools, clinics, emotional regulation spaces, and therapeutic riding facilities.
Is Lakeshore Speech Therapy a public or private company?
Lakeshore Speech Therapy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lakeshore Speech Therapy founded?
Lakeshore Speech Therapy was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lakeshore Speech Therapy based?
Lakeshore Speech Therapy is headquartered in Westlake, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lakeshore Speech Therapy make money?
One revenue line is on record: communication Board Sales.
Who are Lakeshore Speech Therapy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Attainment Company and Inclusive TLC. EnableMart is listed as an others. Emerging players are AssistiveWare, Crick Software and Slater Software. Broad incumbents are Tobii Dynavox, Smartbox Assistive Technology, PRC-Saltillo and Super Duper Publications.
Does Lakeshore Speech Therapy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lakeshore Speech Therapy.
What industry is Lakeshore Speech Therapy in?
Lakeshore Speech Therapy's product category is Assistive Communication Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAIAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training, with a secondary code of EDAFAKAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech.