 In December 2023, Amy McMunn founded Letter & Board Spelled Communication Solutions LLC , an LLC with a mission that goes far beyond traditional business objectives. Amy is not just an educational consultant—she's a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism and motor differences who struggle to communicate purposefully and reliably. Specializing in motor-based communication instruction, Amy empowers those who are nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or unreliably speaking by teaching them to use letterboards to spell out their thoughts.
But Amy’s journey to this work didn’t start in the classroom. In fact, it began in a courtroom—or at least, that’s where she thought it would begin. Armed with a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Amy imagined a life of practicing law. However, her plans shifted when she became a mother to two sons, both later diagnosed with autism. Her eldest, in particular, faces significant challenges, including the inability to speak due to motor difficulties and the loss of most of his vision during his teenage years. From early on, Amy’s life became intertwined with the world of therapies and medical care. Both of her sons entered the Early Intervention system as babies, and for the next two decades, her focus was on supporting their development. Then, in 2017, everything changed. A fellow autism mother introduced her to spelling as a form of communication, suggesting Amy travel out of state to learn this method for her son. It was during one of his initial sessions that her son spelled the word "photosynthesis," a moment that fundamentally shifted her perspective on nonspeaking individuals. She realized that the potential for communication was vast, even for those who struggled with motor function. Since then, Amy has been on a mission to share this transformative approach with other families, just as it was shared with her. But the journey to entrepreneurship wasn't a solo effort. In November, Amy began working with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Brockport, particularly with business advisor Kristine Rudgers. Kristine has helped guide Amy through the complex process of setting up a legal structure, navigating accounting software, planning for the future, and marketing her services. Reflecting on her experience, Amy expressed deep gratitude: “They are a well-oiled machine. Each step of the process has been explained to me, and I have been able to gain advice and direction on everything from setting up a business plan to identifying banking needs to exploring invoicing software and future areas for growth. I couldn't imagine doing all of this without the support of Kristine, from the SBDC.” Today, Amy provides her services at two locations in Rochester, New York. On weekday evenings, she offers her expertise at the Golisano Autism Center within Autism Up on 50 Science Parkway. Her weekends are spent at Homesteads for Hope, a nonprofit located on Manitou Road, which recently received a grant that will allow Amy to expand her spelling community. Looking ahead, Amy envisions even greater growth for Letter & Board Spelled Communication Solutions LLC. Her dream is to create a community where all modes of Communication are accepted. She hopes to offer group classes and hire occupational therapists who can support her mission of teaching gross motor skills, enabling more individuals to engage in this empowering method of communication. “I want to grow my business to support our community,” Amy said, her vision reflecting the same passion and dedication that first brought her to this work. “We all have a right to communicate and be heard, no matter what challenges we face.” Through Letter & Board Spelled Communication Solutions LLC, Amy is turning her personal journey into a beacon of hope for countless other families facing similar struggles. And as her business grows, so does her impact on the community she serves.
1 Comment
 Nikki Johnson, owner of Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, is deeply committed to providing speech and language therapy, executive functioning coaching and literacy instruction to children and their families in Rochester, NY and its surrounding communities. Westside Speech and Language Pathology supports children from 3 years old thru 18 years old, and their families to help improve speech and language skills, celebrate their strengths and develop appropriate strategies/supports to enhance their lives. Nikki offers comprehensive speech and language evaluations, individualized speech therapy sessions, parent training/support, and support for local school districts as an independent contractor. She continues to stay up to date on the latest research and has extensive training in articulation, receptive/expressive language, social skills, apraxia, executive function, augmentative communication systems, reading and literacy interventions, and beyond. Nikki works to understand and celebrate each client.
With an extensive career spanning over 17 years, Nikki’s journey began with pivotal roles at various school districts in New York and Virginia, a non-profit providing academic support to children and families in Monroe County, and a K- 6th grade charter school in Rochester, NY. Her dedication to assisting students facing communication, speech, literacy, and social challenges has remained steadfast as she continues to provide IEP services to students in various educational settings in Monroe County. By obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Master's degree from Towson University, Nikki solidified her expertise in the field. Driven by a desire to make a positive difference in her community, Nikki ventured down the path of small business ownership, recognizing the urgent need for personalized communication and speech services. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she sought business advisement from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Brockport. The SBDC provided assistance exploring funding opportunities to conducting business formation comparisons and leveraging cutting-edge strategies like artificial intelligence for social media enhancement. “I am confident in my proficiencies as a speech therapist, although I acknowledged areas where I needed assistance, specifically in business. The SBDC provided guidance to help me navigate this next chapter of my professional journey," she stated. Nikki transitioned from a seasoned speech-language pathologist to a thriving small business owner of Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC. By empowering individuals through effective communication, she not only realized her entrepreneurial aspirations but also continues to make a positive change within her community. "My journey into entrepreneurship is driven by my commitment to support my community and empowering children to reach their true potential. With Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, I aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the kids, families, and community I serve.” For further information about Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, please contact https://westsidespeechandlanguage.org/and follow us on Facebook weblink. |
RSS Feed
Copyright © 2025 SBDC Brockport. All rights reserved.
The Small Business Development Center at SUNY Brockport is part of a partnership program with the U.S Small Business Administration and administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Small Business Administration. All U.S. Small Business Administration funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
