In-home and In-Clinic Pediatric Speech Language TherapyAlthough people often think of speech and language as the same thing, the terms have very different meanings.
Speech is how we say sounds and words. Speech includes articulation, voice, and fluency. Articulation focuses on the coordination of muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. Voice is how we use out vocal folds and breath to make sounds. Fluency is the rhythm of our speech. Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. Language includes what words mean, how to make new words, how to put words together in a phrase or sentence, and what we should say at different times and in different situations. Speech-language pathologists do not only support individuals with speech and language differences, but they also evaluate and treat individuals who have difficulty swallowing food or liquid. |
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What can a Speech Language Pathologist do?
Things to Know:
- We have funded 22 speech-generating devices in the last 2 years!
- We are currently treating nine children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and utilize best evidence-based practice for treatment, such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC).
Are you a patient with Medicaid coverage?Learn about home health speech services through our sister company Nurture Home Health Care.
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Meet our Speech Language Therapists
Donna MA, CCC-SLP
(She/Her) Alternate Administrator Bio
Donna received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2002. She began her career as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant and obtained her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University in 2009. As a pediatric speech-language pathologist, Donna has expertise with the infant, toddler, and preschool populations in community based and outpatient clinic settings. Her areas of clinical specialty are utilizing a parent coaching model, early language development, speech sound disorders, and feeding disorders. Donna is a kid at heart with a passion for following a child's lead to teach functional skills through play in a natural environment. Donna empowers caregivers to actively participate in their child's learning and celebrate successes when their child can communicate their needs or share a family meal. As a leader, Donna values fostering intentional relationships and collaboration. She enjoys mentoring students and clinicians to become confident and independent professionals with strong interpersonal connection and critical reasoning skills. When not at work, Donna and her husband enjoy traveling with their two children and are frequently found on the sidelines of their kid’s sporting events. As a family, they enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the Colorado mountains. Bianca MS, CF-SLP
(She/Her) Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow Bio
Bianca received her B.A. degree in Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences with a minor in Biology in 2021 from MSU-Denver and her M.S degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2023 from Lewis University.
Bianca describes herself as kind and lover of all things nature. She spends her time hiking, reading, exploring, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. She loves traveling! Bianca’s clinical strengths include utilizing play-based, child-led, and trauma-assumed care. Her interests within the field include early stages of language development and working with the Spanish-speaking population to support and encourage bilingualism! Laura MA, CCC-SLP
(She/Her) Speech-Language Pathologist Bio
Laura received her B.S. Ed. from Ohio University and her M.A. in Speech Pathology from The University of Akron. She also has a M. Ed. in Educational Administration from Argosy University. She has been a practicing SLP for 30. Laura describes herself as calm and engaging. She is married and has 3 adult sons. She likes to spend her time walking, reading and snuggling on the couch with her wiener dog. Laura has experience working with children ages 3-21. Her areas of clinical strength and interest include trauma-assumed care, working with speech sound production disorders, social pragmatic language and post-secondary transition services; as well as supporting students with visual impairments and complex communication needs. |
Alison MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her) Speech-Language Pathology Department Coordinator Bio
Alison received her B.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Oregon in 2017 and her M.S. degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Vermont in 2020. Alison describes herself as passionate and adaptable. She spends her time in home improvement/renovation projects, gardening, and caring for her dogs Raleigh and Moose. Alison’s clinical strengths include supporting tweens and teens with complex communication needs, programming and developing language to aid in functional communication, and play-based and trauma-assumed care. Her specific passions include speech-generating devices, multi-modal communication, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, voice disorders, and gender-affirming voice care. Melanie MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her) Senior Speech-Language Pathologist Bio
Melanie received her B.S. and accelerated M.S. degrees from Misericordia University. She has previous experience developing and establishing speech therapy programs in elementary, middle, and high schools across Pennsylvania and Delaware for the past five years. Melanie describes herself as social and active. She likes to spend her time baking, decorating, and finding new things to try. Melanie’s clinical strengths include articulation disorders and working with children ranging in ages from 3-19 years old. Her interests within the field include the early stages of language development and articulation disorders. Elizabeth MA, CF-SLP
(She/Her) Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow Bio
Elizabeth received her B.S degree in Speech and Hearing from Cleveland State University 2021 and her M.A degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Cleveland State University in 2023. Elizabeth grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and recently moved to Colorado Springs with her partner and puppy, Cooper. She describes herself as enthusiastic, considerate, and adventurous. She spends most of her time taking Cooper to the dog park, camping on the weekends, and enjoying meals at local restaurants. Elizabeth's clinical strengths include incorporating play-based therapy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to promote and develop functional communication. Elizabeth's passions include early intervention, AAC, and cognitive-communication. |
Emily MS, CCC-SLP
(She/Her) Speech-Language Pathologist Bio
Emily attended the University of Mississippi where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degree in Communication, Sciences and Disorders. Emily has worked among a variety of age groups and disorders such as, articulation, receptive and expressive language, dyslexia, SLD and TBI. She has worked with a variety of ages ranging from neonatal to geriatrics. She has worked with different disorders such as articulation, receptive and expressive language, learning disabilities, and phonological processing. She enjoys getting to see the progress that she make with the children she works with and seeing their excitement when they are able to say a word correctly or understand something. |
Helpful Resources
ASHA Early Intervention: www.asha.org/public/speech/early-intervention/
ASHA Typical Speech and Language Development: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
ASHA Swallowing and Feeding: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in-children/
ASHA Learning Two Languages: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/learning-two-languages/
The Stuttering Foundation: https://www.stutteringhelp.org/
Friends Who Stutter: https://www.friendswhostutter.org/
Apraxia Kids: www.apraxia-kids.org/new-to-apraxia/
AAC Myths: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/what-is-aac?tab=1
ASHA Typical Speech and Language Development: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/
ASHA Swallowing and Feeding: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/feeding-and-swallowing-disorders-in-children/
ASHA Learning Two Languages: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/learning-two-languages/
The Stuttering Foundation: https://www.stutteringhelp.org/
Friends Who Stutter: https://www.friendswhostutter.org/
Apraxia Kids: www.apraxia-kids.org/new-to-apraxia/
AAC Myths: https://us.tobiidynavox.com/pages/what-is-aac?tab=1
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