About
Cynthia Coupé
I am many things. Mother, Widow, Speech Language Pathologist, TEDx Speaker, Business Owner, World Traveler and Neurodivergent, to name a few. I choose to live my life out loud, to be unapologetically me and to speak from the heart. My passion lies in being a voice for the neurodivergent community, for sharing the common thread we all have: to be seen, heard and understood.
My Story
My story changed drastically in the morning hours of January 7th, 2022. It was then that I became a widow. Before that I was many things I am not now, and now I am many things I was not then. I am still a mother, business owner, TEDx speaker and passionate advocate for neurodiversity advancement. I now choose to integrate all of these things into one space and move forward with a greater passion than I've ever had before. I am Vulnerable, Outrageous and Powerful and I am here to facilitate lasting change in the world.
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Work History
2018-Current
Business owner and CEO for Outreach, Advocacy, Resources and Services (OARS) Inc.
2016-2020
Independent Contractor for School-Based Speech Pathology Services
2007-2017
Speech Language Pathologist for Mendocino Coast District Hospital (MCDH)
Owner and CEO of OARS, a company focused on developing on life skills for teens and young adults who are neurodivergent. OARS follows a client centered, strengths based approach within natural settings in order to improve social communication and develop positive peer relationships.
Provided speech/language therapy & diagnostic evaluations for various districts in Mendocino County. Provided services for preschool through high school with mild to profound communication disorders
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Participated in IEP and RTI (Response to Intervention) writing and implementation
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Member of evaluation and implementation team (ACCESS) to assess Augmentative and Assistive Communication (AAC) needs of students for MCOE
Lead Speech-Language Pathologist and Swallowing Specialist for inpatient, outpatient and home health settings; serving pediatric through geriatric populations.
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Conducted AAC evaluations for adults and children, provided AAC training for device users.
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Conducted inpatient, outpatient and home health dysphagia evaluations.
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Conducted Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) Studies for adults.
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Conducted inpatient and outpatient cognitive evaluations for adults.
Speaking Engagements/Presentations
2020, March
National ESEA conference, Atlanta, Georgia: For the Greater Good-- Collaboration as a tool to improve language and literacy
2019, March
Montessori del Mar, Fort Bragg, California: Pragmatics and Speech. Informational lecture for parents and teachers
2018, August
HomeSchool Conference, San Jose, California: Language and Literacy
2021, November
TEDx Ocala, Florida: Neurodiversity; the new normal
2010, May
MCDH Wellness Series, Fort Bragg, California, Co-presenter: How Speech Therapy Can Help
2005, February
Colorado Metro Speech-Language Symposium, Co-presenter: Just Talk, Functional Communication in a Group Setting Using AAC