From speech therapy and neurodivergent caregiver support to helping families navigate community resources and available services, Macomb's newest business, Supporting Smiles, offers practical support and resources for children and the families who care for them.
Under the direction of Kara Wright, a licensed speech-language pathologist, Supporting Smiles opened in May, at 221 S. Randolph St. in Macomb; however, even before opening her brick-and-mortar office and therapy space, Wright was offering in-home and daycare-based services, traveling to meet the needs of parents and children. Services offered through Supporting Smiles, which currently accepts Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Aetna and private pay (other credentialing is in process), include evaluation and treatment for speech and language, parent and child play groups focusing on early communication and social interaction, and parent and caregiver education and family support services. She also offers a free parent support group for parents of neurodivergent children (Autism, ADHD, learning and developmental delays, etc.) on the second Tuesday of each month, from 6-8 p.m. at the Supporting Smiles office. Free childcare is also provided.
'Supporting Smiles has evolved quite a bit since it began, and my current focus is on providing speech-language therapy services, early intervention support, parent education and the Neurodivergent Caregiver Support Group,' she shared. 'These are the areas where I am actively investing my time and energy, and they represent the direction of the organization moving forward.'
Wright earned her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Western Illinois University, and worked for nine years, primarily in an early childhood setting before venturing out on her own following the birth of her second child. She became certified as an early intervention provider, and decided it was time to take her skills and knowledge to parents, when and where they need them.
'When I was working for the school district, I met a lot of parents who needed services for their children, but oftentimes they couldn't get to them, providers weren’t available, or they might not have qualified, and it broke my heart that children and their families went without services,' she explained. 'When I started Supporting Smiles, I offered my services at times and locations that worked for families, even if that meant going to their house to observe them at breakfast to see where behaviors might break down, or going to the daycares to provide the services parents needed without requiring them to fit another appointment into their already busy schedules.'
Wright noted that in some cases parents and caregivers might spend months or even years waiting for developmental evaluations, including autism evaluations. However, she believes families benefit from support, education, and practical strategies while they wait. Because of the need, she's not keeping a nine-to-five schedule just yet so she can provide services and support to local families. She is currently providing speech-language services to several local families and is continuing to grow the practice as well as the no-cost parent support group. Wright develops each support group topic with input from members and tries to include an idea or tool parents can use at home right away, such as makeand- take visual schedules and other visual supports. While appointments are necessary for therapy-based sessions, the parent support group is drop-in.
'I always wanted to provide early intervention because I saw such a huge need in our area,' she added. 'I'm trying to fill that void.'
'The mission of Supporting Smiles is supporting children and empowering the families who care for them through compassionate services, practical resources, and meaningful community connection,' Wright explained.
As for the name, it reflects Wright’s belief that supporting children begins with supporting the people behind them and creating genuine connection. Through warmth, optimism and a strengths-based approach, she works to help families feel understood, supported, and empowered. Wright said her smile reflects that approach.
'I think anyone who has ever worked with me would say I'm always smiling,' she said, with a smile, of course. 'I know some kids might be really frustrated because of not being able to communicate, and if they see me with a smile, this can help that connection and trust. It can also help parents feel more comfortable.
'I'm so excited to provide this service,' Wright concluded. 'Being here for families and children is what I want to do.'
For more information or to schedule an evaluation or appointment, email Wright at [email protected].
