Experience
I would choose this field in any other lifetime.
Before Speech-Language Pathology
Before speech-language pathology, I was an early childhood education teacher. My time spent in a Reggio Emilia school shaped my belief that children learn best through exploration, curiosity, and following their own lead. That lives in every session I do today.
Finding My Path to Speech Therapy
While teaching, I worked for a nonprofit recreational program for autistic children. It was a space where kids could come together and connect through arts and movement. The students brought with them all different needs, all different ways of communicating, and something clicked for me. I became fascinated with helping children find their voice and all of the different ways that could look. That curiosity brought me to graduate school, and I never looked back.
My Clinical Approach
My clinical training took me across the lifespan from early intervention all the way to geriatric care. What a gift. Every population taught me something irreplaceable, and I came to understand that effective therapy is about more than evidence-based practice. It requires a whole-person approach. For me that means truly meeting someone where they are, honoring their strengths, and respecting their autonomy to build goals that are meaningful and functional, not just measurable.
Supporting Your Family
I hope I can support your child and family as you navigate their communication journey.
Specializations
Executive Functioning
Supporting children with planning, organization, and the language skills needed to navigate school and everyday life.
PROMPT Trained Level 1 & 2
Some children know exactly what they want to say, but coordinating the movements to say it is where they need support. PROMPT is a hands-on approach that addresses the physical, sensory, and language components of speech production to help children communicate with more ease and confidence.
Gestalt Language Processing
Some children learn language in chunks- whole phrases before individual words. This is a natural and valid path to communication. I recognize it, honor it, and support children in shaping those chunks into functional, flexible language.
AAC: Augmentative & Alternative Communication
Supporting multimodal communicators in building confident, functional communication through the tools and strategies that work best for them.
Social Communication & Pragmatic Language
Building the skills children need to connect, converse, and navigate the social world with confidence.
Research Assistant
St. John's University
As a Research Assistant at St. John's University, I contributed to the study of Claynguage, a clay-based language stimulation program designed to support young children through hands-on, play-based learning.
- Led small-group clay-based language stimulation sessions with preschool-aged children
- Targeted receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language skills
- Contributed to findings presented at the 2022 NYSSLHA Convention