Empowering Families, Transforming Lives: Link2Speech Clinic's Collaborative Approach to Full Potential

Kristie Bateman is the passionate owner and founder of Link2Speech Therapy and Behavior Clinic. Kristie's journey began in 2011 when she turned her dream into reality by establishing her private practice. With over 35 years of hands-on experience working directly with children, Kristie brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

Her career path evolved after her son's autism diagnosis, leading her to pursue a master's degree in communication sciences to become a speech-language pathologist. In 2016, she furthered her qualifications by becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Kristie's mission is rooted in inclusivity and collaboration, emphasizing the involvement of parents and caregivers in all aspects of care and treatment. At Link2Speech, she fosters a collaborative environment where every team member works together to help each child reach their full potential.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Kristie enjoys spending time with her family. Married for 35 years, she is a proud parent to three adult children and a doting grandmother to a two-year-old granddaughter. When she's not working, Kristie indulges in her hobbies of reading, snow skiing, knitting, and staying active through exercise.

Brenda is our vibrant Office Manager at the clinic, bringing over 13 years of experience as a speech therapy office manager. She holds a high school diploma and completed training at a medical front office trade school. Brenda specializes in managing all administrative and insurance-related tasks, ensuring families have a smooth and supportive experience. She finds the most rewarding part of her work to be watching children grow, improve, and gain confidence in themselves. Brenda is passionate about supporting families by making them feel welcome, seen, and heard, and she takes pride in advocating for bilingual families, helping them navigate benefits and understand their child’s journey. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, dancing, and spending time outdoors. Brenda was drawn to this clinic because of its family-oriented environment, where families are valued as more than just a number. She hopes that every family who comes to the clinic feels genuinely welcomed, supported, and heard.

Meet Kate, a dedicated licensed and certified  Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at our clinic. With a MS in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from Abilene Christian University.  Kate brings a wealth of knowledge to her practice. She chose the field of speech pathology in order to spend everyday making a difference in her clients lives. Her research, presented at prestigious conventions like ASHA 2022 and TSHA 2023, reflects her commitment to advancing the field. With extensive experience working with children diagnosed with autism, articulation, language disorders and pragmatic language difficulties. Kate is passionate about helping young clients thrive  through collaboration with families. She feels collaboration is imperative to a child's success. She chose Link2Speech because as soon as she walked in she felt at home and she wants families to feel this way too. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 dogs. She stays active teaching Jazzercise classes, and finds serenity by the lake. Kate's blend of expertise and warmth makes her a valued member of our team, dedicated to fostering communication skills and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Anna is a passionate Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) dedicated to supporting children's communication development. With a BS in Speech-Language Pathology and a minor in Child Development, Anna brings a strong foundation to her role. She was inspired to become a speech therapist in order to help people and loves working with children. Over the past three years, she has worked closely with our team, collaborating on innovative strategies to meet each child's unique goals and needs. Anna's commitment to teamwork ensures a holistic approach to therapy, where every child receives personalized care. She chose Link2Speech because she loves collaborating with parents and other professionals  and does this on a daily basis. Outside of work, Anna enjoys working out, playing animal crossing and spending time with her husband and her beloved cat, Leo. With her nurturing spirit and dedication to her young clients, Anna plays a vital role in helping children unlock their communication potential and thrive.

Melany is a passionate Behavior Technician (BT) and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Kansas. She has experience working in an ABA daycare for one year, completed a speech practicum, and is currently pursuing graduate school. Melamy chose a career in ABA and speech therapy because she loves giving others a voice and watching them grow in their communication skills. The most rewarding part of her work is playing with the kids and supporting their learning in a fun, engaging way. She collaborates closely with families by encouraging them and offering alternative strategies to support their child’s growth. Outside of work, Melamy enjoys exploring coffee shops, going on walks, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family. A favorite quote she lives by is: “When you focus on the good, the good gets better.” She chose to work at this clinic because of the kindness and passion of the staff, and she hopes that every family who comes here feels fully known, supported, and valued.

 Mariah is a dedicated Behavior Analyst Intern with a strong passion for helping children grow into their most independent and confident selves. She earned her B.A. in Kinesiology from Tarleton State University and her M.A. in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology, and she is also a Registered Behavior Technician with three years of experience. Mariah specializes in early intervention, social skills, and behavioral support, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to witness her clients make progress each day as they begin to use their skills independently. She especially values collaborating with families by sharing highlights of their child’s day and offering strategies they can use at home to actively support growth. Her journey into ABA is especially meaningful, as she discovered her true passion after beginning in a completely different field—an experience that inspired her to pursue her master’s degree in behavior analysis. Outside of work, Mariah enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing with her kitty Disco, and watching movies. She chose to join this clinic after observing ABA therapy during a prior internship in occupational therapy, where she immediately fell in love with the clients, the supportive environment, and the incredible team that makes the clinic such a special place.

Lexi is a dedicated Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with a B.S. in ABA and one year of experience in ABA, along with several years working with children. She specializes in early intervention and social skills, and is passionate about supporting children with disabilities while making a meaningful impact on both their lives and their families. Lexi finds the most rewarding part of her work to be witnessing progress and building strong, trusting relationships with her clients. She collaborates closely with families by listening, communicating, and celebrating successes together. Outside of work, Lexi enjoys reading and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. She chose this clinic because its smaller size allows for a more personalized and meaningful impact on client relationships and growth. Lexi hopes that every family who comes to the clinic feels comfortable, confident, and supported as their children learn and thrive.

Lauren is a dedicated Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with a B.S. in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. She has two years of experience working with children, specializing in supporting kids with autism as well as those with speech and language delays. Lauren chose a career in ABA and speech therapy because she is passionate about helping others communicate to the best of their ability. She finds the most rewarding part of her work to be seeing the incredible growth in her clients, as well as the collaboration and progress among her coworkers. Lauren values strong partnerships with families, taking time to communicate with them during pick-up and drop-off, and ensuring that every child is treated with dignity and respect. Known for building strong rapport with her clients, she brings warmth and compassion into each session. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with friends and family. She chose this clinic because of the supportive and amazing team she is surrounded by, and she hopes every family who walks through the doors feels that their child is safe, cared for, and truly loved.

Julia is a dedicated Lead Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at the clinic. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Texas and has nearly two years of experience working in ABA, with a specialization in early intervention. Julia chose a career in ABA because she wanted to support children on the spectrum while also gaining valuable experience for a future career in counseling. She finds the most rewarding part of her work to be witnessing the incredible progress her clients make each day. Julia also places great importance on collaborating with families by being open and honest about areas where their child may need additional support, while also celebrating their successes. Outside of work, Julia enjoys crafts such as crochet and sewing, as well as spending time with friends. She chose this clinic because of its smaller, more personal environment compared to larger companies, and she hopes every family who walks through the doors feels genuinely cared for, supported, and heard.

Hannah Camilo is a dedicated RBT and Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLP-A) with a B.S. in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and currently completing her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at UT Dallas. She is also a BACB Registered Behavior Technician with 2.5 years of experience in ABA and speech therapy. Hannah specializes in speech and language development as well as emotional regulation, and she was inspired to pursue this career by her youngest brother, who has autism, and the incredible therapists who supported him. The most rewarding part of her work is celebrating the small wins of each client every day and sharing these moments with families, while witnessing clients grow, laugh, and thrive. Hannah collaborates closely with families, using her clinical experience to provide the best support and therapy for each child. A career highlight for her is seeing clients succeed when starting school after leaving the clinic. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with her husband, reading, hiking, and playing flute in the Carrollton Wind Symphony. One of her favorite quotes is: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill. She chose to work at this clinic because of the strong collaboration among the team and the focus on naturalistic methods that prepare clients for academic success. Hannah hopes that every family who comes to the clinic feels supported, confident, and assured that their child is being prepared for success at home and at school.

Chekinah is a dedicated Behavior Technician with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, three years of experience in ABA, and over ten years working with children. She specializes in behavior support and social skills and is passionate about helping children of all backgrounds develop and grow. Chekinah finds the most rewarding part of her work to be witnessing clients overcome challenges and make progress in all areas of their development. A career highlight for her is her acceptance into graduate school to pursue a Doctor of Audiology degree. Outside of work, Chekinah enjoys rock climbing, running, pickleball, and spending time outdoors—her favorite color is green! She chose this clinic after a close friend recommended it and has loved the welcoming and supportive work environment ever since. Chekinah hopes that every family who comes to the clinic feels welcomed, supported, and confident that their child is in caring hands.

Lauren K is a dedicated Behavior Technician with a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Texas Tech University (‘24) and is currently in her second year of the Speech Pathology graduate program at the University of North Texas. While this is her first year in ABA, she brings six years of experience working with children and specializes in behavior support and language development. Lauren was inspired to pursue a career in ABA and speech therapy because of her passion for helping individuals build independence and reach their full potential. She finds the most rewarding part of her work to be seeing clients make progress and celebrating each success along the way. Lauren values family collaboration and makes it a priority to encourage families while listening closely to their concerns. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, embroidering, and spending time with friends and family. A favorite quote that inspires her is: “Sometimes the things that make us different are the things that make us strong.” Lauren chose to work at this clinic because of its dedication, compassion, and individualized care, which align with her own values and passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. 

Emerson is a caring Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with a B.S. in Psychology and 1.5 years of experience working in ABA. She specializes in early intervention, language development, social skills, and behavior support, and is passionate about making each child aware of just how brilliant they truly are. Emerson was inspired to pursue a career in ABA because of her deep interest in atypical child psychology and his love for supporting children as they grow and learn. For her, the most rewarding part of the job is experiencing the innocence and delight children bring to everything they do. She also values collaborating with families by paying close attention to each child’s unique needs and serving as their advocate. Outside of work, Emerson enjoys expressing her creativity through writing poetry and short stories, as well as painting. One of her favorite quotes is, “There are no limits to what I could do” (Anaïs Nin), which reflects the way he approaches his work and life. Emerson chose this clinic because of its close-knit, family-like environment, and his hope is that every family who comes here feels accepted, supported, and confident that their child is being truly advocated for.

Fede is a compassionate Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with five years of experience working with children. He specializes in early intervention, language development, social skills, and behavior support, and is passionate about helping kids grow, learn, and thrive. Fede chose a career in ABA because he has always wanted to work with children, finding it incredibly rewarding to witness the amazing progress they make. For him, the most fulfilling part of the job is watching children gain new skills and confidence while also supporting families by giving them his full attention and guidance as their child grows. Outside of work, Fede enjoys spending time with family and friends and going on walks. He draws inspiration from one of his favorite quotes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Fede chose this clinic because of its warm, welcoming atmosphere and supportive team, and he hopes that every family who walks through the doors feels safe, confident, and truly cared for as their little ones succeed.