In time for the World Autism Awareness Month.
The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), through its Startup Research Grant Program, has backed SpeakClinic.
The DOST-PCHRD’s Startup Research Grant Program provides a one-year research and development roadmap that includes an integrated therapy appointment and reservation system, as well as machine learning capabilities to support more efficient pediatric intervention and evidence-based care.
SpeakClinic is a digital health platform designed to connect families with licensed clinicians, which, as a result of the grant, will be expanding access to teletherapy services for children with autism.
The digital app enables families to access teletherapy services by connecting them with licensed clinicians for scheduling and e-consultations.
SpeakClinic operates alongside Mylo Speech Buddy, a speech therapy support app founded in 2023 by Vincent Rocha and Enrico Aquino, which provides expert-driven speech therapy solutions through both clinical consultations and daily language development that are accessible.
The Mylo Speech Buddy app is an innovative speech development system designed for children with speech delays, particularly those on the autism spectrum, created by parents of children with ASD and backed by speech pathologists and educators.
DOST-PCHRD’s backing is expected to support the platform’s development into a more integrated digital ecosystem that combines clinical research, data-driven tools, and collaborative care among clinicians, therapists, and families.
This public-sector support strengthens its potential to scale while ensuring that interventions remain grounded in validated healthcare practices.
Vincent Rocha, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mylo Incorporated, shared how the grant support marks a significant milestone for the platform’s growth and credibility.
“The support from DOST-PCHRD is a turning point for Mylo,” he said. “What started as a personal journey to help children access speech therapy has grown into a research-backed digital healthcare solution.”
The platform was created to address persistent gaps in access to speech and developmental therapy in the Philippines, where many families continue to face challenges related to distance, cost, and limited availability of specialists.
One of the many issues being encountered is accessing timely and consistent therapy due to a shortage of specialized professionals.
As a result of these constraints, it has been difficult for many families, particularly those outside major urban centers, to access timely intervention for children.
SpeakClinic seeks to address this gap by functioning as both a directory of verified specialists and a platform, where families can directly book appointments and access teletherapy services.
Rocha added, “This partnership allows us to ensure that our tools are grounded in clinical evidence while reaching more Filipino families who need consistent support.”
The initiative comes as April marks World Autism Awareness Month, a global observance that highlights the importance of inclusive support systems and early intervention for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Throughout April, Mylo Speech Buddy is also distributing vouchers for 30-day free access to its speech development platform, while SpeakClinic currently does not charge membership fees for users accessing its services.
Beyond its clinical innovation, Mylo Speech Buddy also champions autism advocacy through the third edition of Ausome Stories, a digital storytelling series that has generated over 20 million organic views since its launch.
The latest season, launched on April 14, 2026 and hosted by Tuesday Vargas, features families alongside insights from therapists and medical professionals, underscoring the importance of early intervention, sustained support, and holistic care across all stages of life.
Mylo Speech Buddy has over 100,000 global users and ks a locally and internationally award-winning app, having earned prestigious recognition both in the Philippines and abroad.
The application won the Gold awards for Tech Startup of the Year – Software and New Product of the Year – Educational Technology at the international Stevie Awards in 2024.
It also clinched Gold for Social Impact Award and Silver for Best Newcomer Award and Innovative Product of the Year at the 2nd KMC Startup Awards.