From Language Barriers to Leading a Legacy: TCU Alum's Path to Empowering Spanish-Speaking
Families
Ayleen Garcia Hernandez ’18, graduate of the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders at TCU knows firsthand the challenges of navigating a new language and culture. Born in San Luís Potosí, México, Ayleen moved to Dallas, Texas, at the age of 10. This pivotal experience of adapting to a new country while learning English shaped her resilience and determination, values that have driven her to success as a health care entrepreneur. Today, she is the founder of Farfalla Therapy, a bilingual speech therapy practice that supports culturally and linguistically diverse families.
Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls how her personal experiences led her to her passion for speech therapy.
“I remember volunteering for the Special Olympics and connecting with a bilingual girl with Down Syndrome,” Garcia Hernandez shares. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to help those who struggled to express their needs verbally.”
This passion inspired her to pursue a career in speech-language pathology, earning a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology from the University of North Texas, and later graduating from TCU’s speech-language pathology program with an emphasis in bilingual speech-language pathology (EBSLP), a specialized track focused on speech and language development and disorders in children and communication disorders in adults who are linguistically and culturally diverse, preparing her to work with a varying communities.
Building Trust Through Bilingual Therapy
Garcia Hernandez founded Farfalla Therapy in spring of 2020 which provides bilingual evaluations and therapy for children in the areas of speech, language and feeding development. Her business stands out not only for its clinical expertise but also for its focus on cultural competence.
My bilingual therapy practice allows families to receive therapy in both their preferred language and cultural context," she explains. "When families see a provider who looks like them and speaks their language, trust is built and therapy progress excels."
"Farfalla" means butterfly in Italian and it was carefully chosen to symbolize the transformation Garcia Hernandez's clients experience. “Just like a butterfly, my clients grow and transform from the start of therapy to the very last session,” she says. This transformation is central to her mission of empowering families and ensuring that every child has the tools to succeed.
The Impact of TCU's EBSLP Program
Garcia Hernandez credits her time at TCU for preparing her to launch and grow her practice.
“The bilingual track at TCU enhanced my skills and taught me to think critically when treating culturally diverse clients,” she says. “The rigorous program reinforced the importance of self-discipline and work ethic, both of which have been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey.”
She also points to the support of TCU faculty, who were always accessible and provided encouragement when she needed it most.
Entrepreneurship: A Path of Flexibility and Fulfillment
Entrepreneurship, while challenging, has allowed Garcia Hernandez to not only fulfill her passion for helping others but also to achieve flexibility in her personal life. “I love the freedom that comes with running my own business,” Ayleen reflects.
"It’s exciting to innovate and create something meaningful, all while having the flexibility to be present with my family."
For aspiring entrepreneurs in the health care industry, she offers valuable advice:
“Stay patient-focused, embrace innovation and build strong ethical foundations. Dedication
and continuous learning are key, but the rewards—both personal and professional—are
immense.”
Looking Ahead: Expanding Access to Care
Looking ahead, Ayleen hopes to expand Farfalla Therapy into rural areas, making therapy services more accessible to families who need them most. As she continues to grow her business, her commitment to serving diverse communities remains stronger than ever. “Farfalla Therapy is about making a difference every day,” Garcia Hernandez says. “We’re truly invested in the families we serve, and everything we do comes from a place of compassion, passion and commitment.”