Speech Therapy
Speech therapists (SLPs) and speech therapy assistants (SLPAs) provide specialized interventions that help consumers (AKA clients, patients) improve expressive/receptive language (using and understanding language), augmentative alternative communication (AAC device), social language, voice quality, fluency (e.g. stuttering), and articulation.
Speech therapists at L.I.F.E. form treatment and lesson plans to support socialization, engagement with peers, and total communication. Our speech therapists and assistants work on a transdisciplinary team to treat the whole child to better support communication development.
SPEECH THERAPY TEAM
- M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, Northern Arizona University, with Distinction, 2016
- B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, Summa Cum Laude, 2013
- A.A. in General Studies, Mesa Community College, with Highest Distinction, 2010
- I received training on the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) feeding approach by Kay Toomey and Associates as well as received hands-on experience with feeding therapy at an outpatient children’s hospital setting. I use various speech/language tools such as shared storybook reading, Expanding Expressions Tool (EET), articulation therapy, Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), and Social Thinking. I have gained experience with both in-person and telehealth treatment.
- I began working at L.I.F.E. in January 2019. I previously worked in home health, outpatient, and school settings. I have enjoyed working with children in all settings.
- I believe it is important to create a fun therapy environment that is welcoming and follows the lead of the child.
- I currently live with my husband and adorable, fluffy, beautiful cat named Mr. Turdington. I enjoy watching and discussing movies, baking, cooking, traveling, and creating artwork in various forms such as ceramics and sewing. I am one of five kids and I love to spend time with my family.
- B.A.A. in Communication Disorders, Central Michigan University (2007; took graduate studies for the Spring semester in 2008); Minor in American Sign Language (ASL)
- M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology, Western Michigan University (2010)
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Total Communication (Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), American Sign Language (ASL), aided language input, etc.)
- Social Thinking curriculum (Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking curriculum/philosophy, Social Behavior Mapping, Superflex, etc.) - attended 3-day presentation/training
- Expanding Expression Tool (EET) for vocabulary
- Fluency Disorders (Stuttering and Cluttering)
- Selective Mutism
- Non-violent Crisis Prevention Intervention for behavior/emotional impairments
- Articulation and phonology therapy (Cycles)
- Literacy incorporated into sessions (use of Story Grammar Marker (SGM))
- Speech and language for functional activities of daily living
- Voice Disorders (vocal fold paralysis and cleft palate)
- Statewide Autism Resources & Training Project (START training)
- I was fortunate to volunteer for a summer camp for 12 years that provided therapy for children with different abilities, blogged and presented nationally for three years about speech therapy, and volunteer my time attending Out and About on some weekends with children who use AAC in the community - so I live, eat, and breathe speech-language pathology. I have been in the school system for my entire career with clinical experience in the summers and some weekends. I have lived in Michigan for the majority of my life, but moved to Arizona for the weather a few years ago. In Arizona, I have supervised multiple SLPAs and was the co-lead of the speech department at one school district. I started working at L.I.F.E. in the summer of 2019 as a supervisor for one of the SLPAs and loved the philosophy and opportunities for children on campus so much that I came back full time in the summer of 2020.
- I personally believe in following the child’s lead in therapy, being honest about goals of therapy with each child, and finding out their interests as well as what they would like to get out of therapy. I love to incorporate both literacy and play into therapy as much as possible. Finally, I believe in a Universal Design for Learning where all children can participate and be included as well as using Total Communication with children so that they can communicate in the way most effective for them. Therapists, teachers, and caregivers as well as the child themselves should all be involved in care and progress, modeling communication strategies throughout the day with as many communication opportunities as possible.
- I am nerdy and very social in my free time, so if you see me out in the community, feel free to wave! I enjoy trying new foods, attending festivals and concerts, watching movies and television, playing video games, and much more!
Education:
- B.S. Speech and Hearing Sciences- University of New Mexico, 1998; Minor in American Sign Language (ASL);
- M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of New Mexico 2001
Special Certifications:
- SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding
- Beckman Oral-Motor
- Hippotherapy – Level 1
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Expanding Expression Tool (EET)
- Story Grammar Marker (SGM)
- Visualizing and Verbalizing (VV) program
- Verbal Behavior approach
- Social Thinking
Career History:
I began my career working in a clinic here in Arizona where I mainly did hippotherapy for 2 years. I then worked at L.I.F.E. for 4 years, where I gained the majority of my clinical experience working with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. At that time, I had young school-aged children of my own and felt the need to switch settings in order to spend more time with them over the summer months. I began working in the schools in 2011 and stayed in that setting for 9 years. This was a great experience, which provided me with a clear understanding of the educational process and the specific academic needs of my students. I realized during this time that I missed the love and support offered at L.I.F.E. and knew I needed to go back home. I started back here in July 2020.
Personal Treatment Philosophy:
I value following the child’s lead during therapy and being creative with targets to provide the most effective therapy. I do believe it’s important to place some gentle demands on the child for gradual growth and development. I also believe in collaboration with other team members and the use of their strategies when possible. I enjoy reading books to my clients to develop literacy skills. I believe in using Total Communication with children early on until a prominent modality is evident based on the ease of production for the individual child and then building on that one. I feel strongly about the need for carryover in the home environment and make it a priority to communicate regularly with parents.
Personal:
I currently live with my husband and 2 teen-aged children, whom I love dearly. I enjoy watching movies, playing games, exercising, hiking, and doing crafts. What I love most in life is encouraging and serving others in whatever way they need to feel loved. These are things that bring joy to my life.
Education:
- B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, December 2009
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Aquatic Therapy
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Integration of Sign Language into therapy
- Social Thinking
Career History:
I started working at L.I.F.E. in July 2016. Previously, I worked for five years at a charter school for the deaf and hard of hearing in AZ and for one year in home health.
Personal:
I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Arizona in 2005 to pursue a degree at Arizona State University. I have always had a passion for working with children and developed an interest for those with special needs which brought me to L.I.F.E. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, dancing, crafting, and spending quality time with my family.
Education:
- B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, August 2016
Specific Treatment Strategies, Equipment, or Expertise Utilized:
- Expanding Expression Tool (EET)
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
- Social Thinking/ elementary to young adult
- Aquatic therapy
- PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral and Muscular Phonemic Targets)
- Articulation therapy
- Fluency techniques
- Speech and language for functional activities of daily living
Career History:
I started working at L.I.F.E. in October 2017. Previously, I worked at a private pediatric clinic and in home-health. I have worked with kids with disabilities ages 3-18 years as well as with adults with disabilities.
Personal Treatment Philosophy:
I aspire to be a therapist who treats the whole child, while using client and family-centered care. I also love to use my resources at L.I.F.E. to gain transdisciplinary experience and give our clients the tools they need for their individual and unique future.
Personal:
In my free time I enjoy working out, trying new restaurants, watching movies, and spending time with my husband and my dog Boomer.
- I provide 1:1 speech therapy services, working to progress target goals areas in expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language. Additionally, as needed and when available, I collaborate with various support staff to program, update, and troubleshoot student’s Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certificate, Northern Arizona University, 2014
- B.S. in Speech Sciences and Technology, Northern Arizona University, 2014
- Specific focus in Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)
- Proficient in programming and use of various AAC programs including TouchChat, NovaChat, Proloquo2Go, LAMP, and GoTalkNow
- Teaching and modeling AAC use in classroom and clinical therapy settings
- Various AAC courses and in-person conference
- Intro to Assistive Technology for Pediatrics
- Out of Sync Child with Carol Stock Kronowitz
- I started at L.I.F.E. in 2015 working first as a community direct support professional before coming on campus as a founding member of the Academy Resource Team and providing alternative and augmentive communication support. Recently, I transitioned to providing 1:1 speech therapy services and I continue to provide AAC support for the Academy. Before L.I.F.E. I worked in both public and private school settings, as well as a dedicated speech therapy clinic.
- I am an advocate for the growing neurodiversity and trauma-informed movements within the therapy and special education world, which has helped shape my own personal treatment ideas and approaches. When it comes to AAC use, I actively utilize and promote Aided Language Input. This is the notion that much like a foreign language, to teach AAC we have to speak it ourselves.
- Lauren’s Institute is very important for me personally even outside of my career. My wife Katie has been an OT here for a number of years, and our daughter previously attended the preschool program as a peer model classmate. The idea of L.I.F.E. being a family atmosphere is even more true for me! Outside of work and family, I’m an avid video gamer and comic book reader.
Contact Us for More Information About L.I.F.E.
call us at 480-621-8361 EXT 127 or complete this form