By Xiomara Moore

DOVER — Starting a business is a daunting task, but developing one during a pandemic is even trickier.

But this year’s Daily State News Stars of Delaware Person of the Year made it work.

After more than 20 years as a speech therapist in the education system, Heather Aydelotte opened Beyond Speech Therapy in July 2020.

Her enterprise stemmed from a feeling that she wasn’t making a difference working for schools. She wanted to do something with more of an impact.

“As I was getting things set up, ... COVID happened. So, I was like, ‘Wow, what timing this was,” she said Aug. 25. “But it was honestly my time because everything kind of calmed down, (and) life halted. It allowed me to be able to focus on starting (to get) everything that I needed.”

What initiated as a two-room office has turned into a two-location business, with approximately 50 employees. The original site is at 25 Maggies Way, while the newest is on South State Street, both in Dover.

Aydelotte said her goal has always been to meet the needs of area residents, so she continued to add services.

Now, the office offers pediatric support for physical development, speech therapy, feeding therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutrition counseling and pediatric mental and behavioral health resources.

“There is no place in Delaware, other than the hospitals, where kiddos can go — and families can go — and get all their services in one place, and that’s really what we were wanting,” she continued.

“I named it ‘Beyond Speech Therapy’ because I always wanted to go beyond speech.”

Aydelotte is a multigenerational Delawarean, born and raised in Magnolia on her family’s farm. She graduated from Caesar Rodney High School and the University of Maryland, College Park.

Like most who leave the First State, she swore she would not return. However, at age 24, she came back and began her career as a speech and language pathologist.

“I don’t think I could have built this business somewhere else,” she said. “It was the roots that I have here, the connection that I’d made throughout. Having all those connections allowed it to be as successful as it has been.”

While her company has been on an upward trajectory, Aydelotte admitted that she has had her fair share of challenges. A main one is insurance coverage for her patients.

“We really focus on being able to provide access to all families, (but) insurance (is) starting to have more regulations, where they’re not going to cover these specific diagnoses. And it’s hard to explain that to families and not be able to help them because of that piece,” she noted, adding that she has spoken to the directors of TRICARE and Medicare to advocate for her patrons.

She went on to explain that certain developmental delays are sometimes not covered if the child doesn’t have an official medical diagnosis. On the flip side, many families are losing Medicaid coverage due to cuts and changes, which leads Aydelotte to search for other ways to continue care.

Regardless, she loves that Beyond Speech Therapy aids families.

“Our goal is just to be able to empower the children, support the families and make everyday life a little bit easier,” she continued. “You don’t know what these families are facing when they walk in. They could have kiddos that are having multiple appointments. We are all about giving grace.”

Additionally, she loves witnessing her youngest clients become successful teens and young adults. One particular baby girl would cry when held, hold her breath and then pass out. But she didn’t do so when Aydelotte was holding her.

“She’s 15 (now), and she’s just doing amazing,” she said. “Every time I know she’s here, I walk out, and she just lights up, and we have such a good relationship. ... Once I see these kiddos, they’re always my babies.”

When asked about being named the Person of the Year, she shared that she was shocked to see her name among the nominees.

“Then, I keep scrolling, and I see my name on Person of the Year, and I was like, ‘Oh, no!’ I love all the recognition ... for my business. I don’t want the recognition. It’s not about me. It’s about the business.

“At the end of the day, it shows the impact that we’ve had on the community and what we’ve been able to do. Maybe my name is for Person of the Year, but I couldn’t have done that without my team.”

The Stars of Delaware are determined via a readers’ choice poll that engages thousands of Daily State News readers, who vote for their favorite people, places, businesses and things to do in the state. Recipients, including Aydelotte, were honored Wednesday, Sept. 23, during a party at Bally's in Dover.

To learn more about Beyond Speech Therapy, visit beyondspeechtherapyde.com.