APRIL ARIOLA – DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR ext. 292, aprila@laurensinstitute.org

April Ariola is an ASHA certified Speech/Language Pathologist who received her Master of Science Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Marquette University in 1993.  Following graduation, April moved to Kansas and began providing speech and language services to children from birth to three in the home environment.  In 1996, April moved to Las Vegas, NV where she spent many years working as a school speech language pathologist.  April specialized in providing services in early childhood preschool classrooms and severe learning disabled/speech language specialized classrooms.  It was there that April received vast experience collaborating with other disciplines.

Following a move to Arizona in 2004, April worked for 18 months in the private sector.  April joined LIFE in October, 2007.   Since joining LIFE, April has attended the following courses Verbal Behavior, Get Permission Approach to Sensory Mealtime Challenges and the Sequential Oral Sensory –Approach to Feeding.  Following these courses, she has become passionate about providing therapy to children with feeding disorders.  April became the department supervisor of the speech pathology department in 2010.   When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

MICHELLE SCHOW – SPEECH / LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ext. 238, michelles@laurensinstitute.org   

Michelle Schow is originally from Northridge, California. She graduated from the University of Arizona with her Bachelor’s of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 2003.  Following graduation, she moved back to California where she received her Master’s of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge.  In 2007, Michelle returned to Arizona and joined the Speech Pathology Department at L.I.F.E.

Michelle is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.  She has over seven years of experience working with children and adults with speech and language impairments.  Michelle has worked in a variety of settings, such as, public and private schools, skilled nursing facilities and acute and sub-acute hospitals.  In addition to speech and language disorders, Michelle also works with children with feeding and swallowing difficulties. She has attended a variety of feeding conferences, including the Get Permission Approach to Feeding by Marsha Dunn Klein and the Sequential Oral Sensory Approach by Dr. Kay Toomey.   As a result, she is able to provide individualized treatment to children with many different medical disorders.   During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son.

NICOLE BYERS – SPEECH / LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ext. 238, nicoleb@laurensinstitute.org

MARIE CHAIB – SPEECH / LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ext. 238, mariec@laurensinstitute.org    

Marie Chaib, a native of Arizona, attended Arizona State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Science in 2008. During her undergraduate studies, Marie participated in research at ASU’s Child Language Lab as an Undergraduate Research Project Chair. The research studied Improving Early Literacy Skills of Preschoolers Attending Day Care which was intended to evaluate and determine the efficacy of an intervention program designed to promote early literacy skills. Prior to beginning her graduate studies at ASU in 2008, Marie was employed at L.I.F.E. as an ABA Habilitator. In June 2010, Marie graduated with her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders with an emphasis in Speech Language Pathology and immediately joined the Speech Language Department at L.I.F.E.

Marie is a certified Speech Language Pathologist and member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She enjoys providing center- and home- based services for toddlers through young adults, while utilizing techniques learned as a Specialized Habilitator. Marie appreciates working as part of the multidisciplinary team offered at L.I.F.E. in order to best service her clients. Her skills include providing a variety of therapy including speech-language deficits, social impairments, cognitive delays, and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). Marie particularly enjoys working with those demonstrating feeding disorders and dysphagia. Marie is single mother of three who enjoys family time, traveling, hiking, and AZ Cardinals football (winning or losing)!

MARIAH MURPHY – SPEECH / LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ext. 238,  mariahm@laurensinstitute.org    

Mariah Murphy is originally from Tucson, Arizona but grew up in a small mining town, Battle Mountain, Nevada. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Speech-Language Sciences and Technology in 2008. Following graduation, Mariah stayed at Northern Arizona University to receive her Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Mariah is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. She has had experience working with both children and adults with speech and language impairments. Mariah recently moved to Gilbert to join the Speech Pathology Department at L.I.F.E. in April of 2012, after working with the Early Intervention Home Care population. Mariah also has a great interest in working with children with feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Mariah has attended a variety of conferences, ranging from Pediatric Dysphagia: Management of the Whole Child, Thinking From An Autistic Perspective, Thinking From A Non-Verbal Autistic Perspective, Learning Styles and Sensory Strategies for Children with Autism, Impact of Vision Loss on Development, Instructional Control: Behavior Support for Challenging Kids, ABA Series: Intermediate ABA and Decreasing Problem Behaviors and Increasing Appropriate Skills, and Integrated Treatment of Feeding, Speech, and Mouth Functions in Pediatrics. Mariah has a huge desire to continue to learn and provide functional therapy to children and their families!
During her free time, she enjoys arts and crafts; such as card designing, baking, and spending time with her family. She is an identical twin and the oldest child of 3!