Spotlight: Free Speech Therapy at GiGi’s Playhouse Portland with Rose Bud Speech Therapy

The Amina Grace Speech & Language Program at GiGi’s Playhouse Portland brings free speech therapy to people with Down syndrome! This program is offered in partnership with Rose Bud Speech Therapy.

People with Down syndrome of all ages can receive speech therapy with a licensed speech-language pathologist completely free—no insurance needed.

Summer appointments are held once a week and in-person at GiGi’s Playhouse Portland between July 7th and August 28th, 2026. Apply here until June 25th, 2026.

What makes speech therapy at GiGi’s special?

For one, it is totally free and does not require insurance. Additionally, speech therapy is not sequestered to one office—our speech therapists can make use of the entire GiGi’s facility to tailor sessions to each individual. GiGi’s Playhouse Portland is not like the stuffy clinics from 50 years ago—it’s a place to relax, connect, and enjoy learning.

“The sensory swing is great. I got Jack to do three times as many reps of his lip exercises as usual while he was in the swing.”
– Anna

“Kyndal prefers being out in the open while we practice. It’s nice that we have these tables.”
– Izzy

We welcome all types of communication.

Some speech therapy practices shy away from Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC), but Rose Bud Speech Therapy and GiGi’s welcome all types of communication.

Sign language, AAC devices, and analog supports are amazing tools for helping people with Down syndrome get their point across. And don’t worry about AAC “replacing” speech—the research shows that AAC improves speech and language outcomes.

Our Speech Therapists

Izzy, Bilingual Spanish M.S. CCC-SLP, scheduled on Wednesdays

Izzy grew up in a small rural town in Southern California and, by age 14, knew she wanted to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP). She received her undergraduate degree at University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Sociology and Disability Studies, and her graduate degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University.

Izzy started her professional career as a school-based SLP in Oregon, providing specially designed instruction and related services to elementary-age students in both English and Spanish. She feels comfortable working with clients with varying articulation, fluency, social communication, AAC, and deaf/hard-of-hearing needs.

Outside of the speech world, Izzy enjoys thrifting, running, exploring the Portland food scene (she has an extensive food and drink list!), and attending music shows.

Anna, M.S. CCC-SLP, scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

Anna takes a highly individualized approach, focusing on building functional skills that support meaningful communication and daily life.

Speech therapy services are most effective when they are tailored to the unique strengths and needs of each individual. Therapy targets a wide range of areas, including expressive and receptive language, articulation, fluency, myofunctional skills, and feeding.

Anna uses a total communication approach, recognizing that communication goes far beyond spoken words. Verbalizations, speech-generating devices, sign language, pictures, vocalizations, and gestures are all valid and valuable forms of communication. Therapy incorporates any and all methods needed to help each individual successfully express themselves and connect with others.

Supporting families and caregivers is also a vital component of effective speech therapy. Because therapy sessions may only occur for a short time each week, empowering caregivers with strategies to use at home and in the community is essential. Parent coaching is a core part of Anna’s practice, helping communication support continue throughout everyday routines and environments.

For individuals experiencing hypotonia, incorporating a myofunctional therapy approach can be especially beneficial. This approach focuses on developing proper oral motor function, which supports not only speech production, but also eating and drinking, breathing, sleep quality, and overall dental development.

About Rose Bud Speech Therapy

Rose Bud Speech Therapy is a small boutique speech and language clinic in Portland. As a small company, their patients and families always come first.

They are dedicated to supporting children and their families in the journey to improve feeding and communication patterns. Their mission is to integrate the fundamental components of childhood development to set children up for successful navigation through life.

Rose Bud strives to provide wholesome, innovative, and evidence-based practices to nurture every child’s growth and progress.

P.S. If you want to help kids, teens, and adults with Down syndrome access no-cost speech therapy, then run, walk, or roll on over to the GiGi’s 5k: Dash for Down syndrome. 🏃‍➡️🚶‍♀️‍➡️👩‍🦼‍➡️