“Like a Lightning Bolt”: How Maxx Found His Voice–and His Mom Found Someone on Her Side
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
When Natalie talks about her son Maxx, the first thing she wants you to know is this:
“He is so much fun, so happy, and just so full of life.”
Maxx is 3½ years old, the middle child between an older sister and a younger brother. He’s energetic and curious about the world around him. But for a long time, communicating with others didn’t come easily for Maxx. And for Natalie, that was both confusing and heartbreaking.
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Get started“He was talking, but it didn’t make sense.”
Natalie noticed early on that Maxx’s development looked different. He was talking, but the things he said didn’t seem to match the situation or make sense to anyone else.
She felt stuck trying to understand her son. “How do you search, ‘my child talks, but doesn’t talk?’” she says.
Natalie is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and tried using signs to support communication, but Maxx didn’t respond. It felt like nothing was landing. And when she brought her concerns to their pediatrician, she kept hearing the same thing: “He talks…he’s not autistic.”
Despite those reassurances, Natalie knew something wasn’t right. “I really felt like no one understood me or Maxx,” she says.
The moment everything clicked
At Maxx’s 3-year-old well-child checkup, things came to a head. When the doctor touched him, Maxx became extremely upset and began repeating phrases over and over. That moment finally prompted the pediatrician to acknowledge that something more was going on.
Around the same time, Maxx began experiencing what Natalie later learned were developmental regressions related to autism. He would be awake for nights in a row, sometimes up to 72 hours. During those long nights, Natalie scrolled on her phone, trying to stay awake.
Then she saw a video that stopped her cold. A child on social media was repeating phrases from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: “Meeska, mooska, Mickey Mouse.”
Natalie felt a jolt of recognition. “Oh my God,” she thought. “This is what I’ve been noticing in Maxx.”
“It was like a lightning bolt went off in my head,” she says. For the first time, she had words for what she was seeing.
Through her research, Natalie learned that Maxx is a gestalt language processor—a child who learns language in chunks rather than single words. Suddenly, Maxx’s communication made sense.
Finding the right support against all odds
Just before Maxx turned 3, the family was referred to early intervention. Natalie advocated fiercely for a speech therapist who truly understood gestalt language processing. Some providers weren’t the right fit, but she kept going.
Then life threw another curveball, when Natalie had to go out of state for two months to deal with a family emergency. She continued trying to get Maxx evaluated. That’s when they met Kelsey Macieunas, M.S., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at Expressable.
“I was very hesitant about online speech therapy,” Natalie admits. “I came in with a list of very high expectations.” Kelsey exceeded every single one, and as a bonus, she and the family connected within the first five minutes.
“She set a new baseline for what we expect from any therapist,” Natalie said. “If someone can’t provide the level of care, skill, and connection that Kelsey does, there would be no reason for us to ever leave her.”
Speech therapy that fits into real life
From the start, Kelsey followed Maxx’s lead. His speech therapy sessions are playful, flexible, and built around what matters most to him. A session might include breakfast at the table, playing with planets, or singing songs.
Maxx loves changing the speed of YouTube videos, especially Super Simple Songs. Early on, he often said, “Go faster.” When Kelsey honored his request and sped up the video, Maxx lit up.
“He was happy because she understood him,” Natalie says. That trust changed everything.
Sessions aren’t confined to a desk or screen. They happen during mealtimes, bath time, and everyday routines, where Maxx is most comfortable and engaged. Between sessions, Kelsey shares simple, practical ways Natalie can support Maxx’s communication at home using Expressable’s online portal. Each week, Natalie receives short, flexible practice ideas tailored to what Maxx is already working on, like play-based activities, quick language prompts during meals, or simple routines they can try while getting ready for the day. The portal makes it easy to fit practice into everyday life—which is where communication happens!
After trying the activities, Natalie shares feedback directly through the portal, helping Kelsey adjust goals and plan future sessions. This ongoing connection makes therapy feel continuous, supportive, and collaborative, ensuring Maxx’s progress doesn’t stop when the session ends.
“His speech has exploded.”
It didn't take long to see that progress. “His speech has exploded,” Natalie says. “He now says things like, ‘I’m tired,’ ‘I’m hungry,’ or ‘I need a break.’ These are things that never would have happened without Kelsey.”
Maxx even asks for Kelsey between sessions. On non-therapy days, he’ll pick up the phone and say, “Call teacher.”
As his communication has grown, something else has changed, too: his behavior. Before, frustration often showed up as head-banging, biting, or pushing. Now, Maxx can advocate for himself with words.
As Maxx's communication has grown, something else has changed, too: his behavior. Now, he can advocate for himself with words.
There’s one moment Natalie will never forget. Maxx took a sip from his cup and said, “No. Brown juice.” When Natalie insisted it was juice, Maxx calmly replied, “No, this is water.” And he was right!
As she refilled the cup, Maxx said, “No more water!” This is clear, functional communication that prevented what once would have ended in a meltdown. “I cried,” Natalie says.
A therapist and teammate
Kelsey’s support goes far beyond speech sessions. She helps Natalie navigate big decisions, from school placements to therapy options, answering questions honestly and without judgment. “Kelsey fills those shoes,” Natalie says. “You have no idea.”
For Natalie, the biggest change is no longer feeling alone: “It is life-changing to have someone on your side who understands."
When Maxx struggled at an early childhood program, Kelsey helped advocate for him, partnering with the school and ensuring his needs were met. Today, she collaborates monthly with his ABA team (a therapy focused on a child’s behavioral responses) to support consistent progress.
“She talks to me not just as a provider, but as a friend,” Natalie says. “She empowers me to advocate for my son.”
A voice that keeps growing
Since starting therapy less than a year ago, Maxx has moved from an early stage of language development to communicating in more flexible, meaningful ways. He follows directions, asks for help, and shares his needs clearly.
“Can you please help me? The car is stuck,” he once told Natalie calmly, which was another moment that brought tears.
“Maxx is one of the most interesting, fun, and unique individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Kelsey says. “It’s like mom and I get to be detectives together.”
Kelsey sums up his therapy journey in just two words: “Fun and effective.”
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Get startedFor Natalie, the biggest change is no longer feeling alone. “It is life-changing to have someone on your side who understands,” she says.
Maxx has taught her to slow down, see the world differently, and appreciate things she once overlooked. And today, she’s able to help other parents who feel lost, just like she once did.
If you’re a parent who’s curious or concerned about your child’s communication, or you feel like no one is listening, Maxx’s story is proof that understanding, support, and progress are possible.
Expressable’s licensed speech therapists provide personalized, family-centered care right from home. Learn how we can support your child’s communication journey. Click here to get started.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
