Nixon Speech and Language, LLC

04/20/2026

Have you ever felt like your health app was giving you homework instead of help? 📝🥄

I’ve been testing Perplexity Health vs. Guava Health, and the difference is huge for those of us managing complex illness. I was shocked when Perplexity told me to call my hospital’s IT department to fix their mapping error. We call that the "Spoonie Tax"—and we don't have the spoons for it!

I’m sharing a deep dive into why one tool stayed stuck in 2021 while the other helped me automate my disability paperwork and tax mileage. If you’re managing a "repository" of labs, imaging, and 60+ meds, you need to know which tool actually has your back.

Check out the full comparison: https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/research-vs-reality-why-perplexity-health-fails-chronic-patients-where-guava-health-thrives/

Guava Health

04/19/2026

💊 The Prescription for Fighting Administrative Gaslighting

What do you do when your Pharmacy Benefit Manager asks you to tell your doctor to misrepresent a prescription and doesn't acknowledge rights under your insurance plan?

https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/when-your-insurance-company-suggests-insurance-company-suggests-medical-impossibilities/

I am currently investigating a systemic error with my insurance where:
1️⃣ The PBM provided conflicting excuses for denying a 90-day fill.
2️⃣ My own "Certificate of Coverage" indicates a maintenance medication exception should be available.
3️⃣ A Senior Rep suggested a "creative" solution: prescribing 6 pills a day (3x the FDA limit) just to force the system to work.

This case is currently under review with the DC DISB. I’m using my "Patient’s Log" to hold them accountable to ERISA and the DC Prompt-Pay Act.

Don't take "no" for an answer—check your contracts!

(Disclaimer: Layperson’s understanding only. Not legal advice. Information is alleged.)

Mayor Bowser The Council of the District of Columbia CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CVS Health

03/19/2026

Flexibility isn't a personality trait. It’s an energy expenditure.

When you’re neurodivergent, you’re constantly performing a "manual balance" just to exist in a world built for cruise ships. When the water gets choppy, we don't need "coping skills"—we need stabilization.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is let the board flip so you can finally stop bracing.
https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/when-the-board-flips-paddle-boarding-through-choppy-waters/

When the board flips: Paddle boarding through choppy waters Written by Stephanie M. Nixon, PhD, CCC-SLP on March 19, 2026. Posted in Chronic illness, Neurodivergence. 🚨 TL;DR: The “Paddle Boarder’s Guide to Surviving the Medical System” The Problem: For neurodivergent and chronically ill pe...

02/20/2026

Patients!!!!

Tired of the health insurance runaround? 🤦‍♀️📞

We’ve all been there: You sit on hold for 45 minutes, finally get a human on the line, and they tell you something completely different than what the last insurance rep said.

Managing your family’s healthcare shouldn't require a detective board. As a patient, I know how exhausting this is. That is why I built a completely FREE Healthcare Communication Log to help you take your power back and keep your sanity.

I created a custom, fillable Google Form template that you can copy to track every single detail of your calls with insurance companies, PBMs, and providers.

👇 Click here to read the setup guide and get your free template: https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/dont-lose-track-of-health-insurance-calls-a-free-tool-for-patients-and-families/

Here is why this tool is a game-changer for families:
📱 Use it like an app: Save it directly to your phone’s home screen so it is ready the second you get put on hold.
🤝 Tag-team the work: Share your link with your partner so both of your call notes feed into one single, organized spreadsheet.
📄 Create paper trails: Export individual call logs as clean PDFs to use as hard proof when filing a formal appeal.
📖 Decode the jargon: The template comes with our massive, plain-language Glossary to help you finally understand terms like "Max-Out-of-Pocket," "Deductible," and "Prior Authorizations."

We hope this makes your next phone call a little less chaotic!

(🔒 A Quick Privacy Note: If you find this tool helpful, please share it with your friends and support groups! Just make sure to share the link to this blog post, NOT your personal Google Form link, to protect your private notes.)

PROVIDERS - this is specifically designed for patients. Thank you

Don’t Lose Track of Health Insurance Calls: A free tool for patients and families Written by Stephanie M. Nixon, PhD, CCC-SLP on February 20, 2026. Posted in Health care, Health Insurance, Navigating health care. Have you ever spent hours on a call with a provider or insurance company and then whe...

02/09/2026

And one more post that can help you keep track of those conversations with insurance, healthcare providers, and even educators:
https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/patients-log-track-your-insurance-calls-like-a-provider-in-60-seconds/

02/09/2026

Read our new blog post!

https://nixonspeechandlanguage.com/when-60-becomes-800-how-to-catch-and-fix-health-insurance-errors/

07/16/2025

The Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) program: random selection process for FY26 is now OPEN. Please see the image attached for more information. This year, instead of two rounds of LISS, there will only be ONE round. Those selected to receive LISS are eligible for up to $1000 in funding. Registration for the random drawing closes on September 15. Link to register: https://pcis.health.maryland.gov/liss-service/apply

For more information, contact LISS providers:
Maryland Community Connection 301-583-8880 or 877-622-6688
(Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester
Penn-Mar Human Services 410-357-4767 or 877-282-8202
Counties served: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard and Washington

07/02/2025

My mother used a scooter/power chair for years before she passed. Not just that, how many people have sprained an ankle, broken a leg, or needed a ramp?

Ask yourself, is this okay? What are people navigating these disabilities going to do when they need to go to a building without a ramp or with narrow doorways?

This move makes employment less accessible.

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-opposes-department-of-energys-direct-final-rule-removing-requirements-for-disability-access

Send your thoughts now on a new rule that would take away accessibility requirements for new federal buildings!

05/25/2025

Ensuring children with dyslexia receive appropriate intervention and evaluation is not political. It is just what needs to happen.

And Dr. Nadine Gaab's lab has made amazing advances in early identification, evaluation, and intervention.

But her lab's funding was cut because it's at Harvard. Literally because Harvard refuses to cave, her Federal research funding was cut.

Please share this link and if you know of any bridge or other appropriate funding, please send it to her.

https://www.gaablab.com/donate

Children with dyslexia show differences before kindergarten, yet we often wait years for intervention. Nadine Gaab’s words are a powerful reminder: early access to resources is essential.

05/02/2025

04/29/2025

You can also follow on Instagram to see more.

04/25/2025

We Are Still in a Reading Crisis
Maryland’s reading proficiency is nowhere near its potential. Despite some progress, 67% of Maryland’s 4th-grade students and 67% of 8th-grade students are still not proficient readers. This means over 66,800 children in just two grades are struggling with reading.

📚 We must act NOW to tackle this crisis. Let’s come together and ensure every child has the tools to thrive in school and beyond.
Do you know how many students in your county are proficient readers? Download our report to find out:https://marylandreads.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MDStateofReading2025.pdf