Advantage Speech & Language Services

Education, Certifications, and On-going Learning:

     I graduated from Ithaca College in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree and Teacher's Certification as a Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped.  I continued on at Ithaca to earn my Master's Degree in Speech and Language Pathology in 1993.

     I have received certification from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as a Speech Language Pathologist and am licensed in both New Jersey and New York.  I am a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Apraxia Network of Bergen County, and COSAC (New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community).

     I focused my interests and continuing education on the treatment of speech, language, oral-motor, and feeding disorders related to children from birth through 18 years with a focus on early childhood development, specifically children ranging in age from 1-9 years old.  I completed my clinical competency at a school for developmentally delayed pre-school children in the Bronx, NY.  In so doing, I received not only my Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, but also obtained my permanent teaching certification.  I continually strive to learn new techniques and methodologies.  To that end, I have completed hundreds of Continuing Education hours.  Some of the stand-out courses that I have taken are listed here:

• P.R.O.M.P.T. (3 Levels):  PROMPT Technique - Introduction; Introduction to PROMPT: Technique Workshop; Bridging PROMPT Technique to Intervention Workshop

• The Kaufman Early Intervention Program: Children with Apraxia of Speech,  Nancy Kaufman, MA, CCC-SLP

• Dysphagia in Early Childhood, Justine Joan Sheppard, PH.D., CCC

• Nutrition Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders- SOS Approach (advanced) Kay Toomey, PhD

• Mealtime Miseries:  Management of Complex Feeding Issues

• LINKS to Language Courses I and II

•Autism: Creating Sensory Environments

• Compton P-ESL Certification

A bit more personal:

     My friends and family call me independent, assertive, and spontaneous.  I have a playful side and a serious side.  I adore my private practice even though it requires too many late nights and weekend hours.  Nineteen years of in the trenches experience allows me to effectively guide family members, teachers, and daycare providers or babysitters.  I am able to form a quick connection with my clients and their families based upon my ability to read a child's reaction to me and adjust accordingly.  Some children react well to my big personality and bubbly methodologies.  For those who need me to be a bit more reserved, I am adept at finding quieter activities that will still accomplish our goals.

     I am a speech therapy information junkie.  I can quote the latest research, miracle cure, and new treatment methods in the field in addition to the information from the traditional experts in the field.  I am not embarrassed to admit when I do not know about a certain methodology and will often seek out associates who can provide me with information until I can take a class and learn all the details.   I enjoy working closely with  physical therapists and occupational therapists specializing in sensory integration dysfunction.

     I value dynamic research, evaluation tools, and treatment methods even if unconventional, with best practices in mind.  I am always willing to push myself professionally because it ultimately benefits my clients.  I try to always think outside the box when it comes to individualized treatment.  I generally get more Continuing Education Hours annually than are required over several years.  I have advanced certifications in the evaluation and treatment of oral motor, feeding, and language development.  I am so passionate about helping people and I want to do “it” right every time.  I never want to tell a client there is nothing more to do or that I cannot diagnose their child’s communication disorder.

Some more food for thought:

     With regard to any child’s treatment, I know there is no cookbook approach for great speech therapy.  Every client is unique even if they have the same label!  I view labels as necessary for reimbursement or placement purposes because most schools and insurance companies demand them.  In my practice, the description of the client’s challenges and strengths, combined with what elicitation techniques worked in their evaluation, is what drives my treatment plan and goals for therapy.  I pride myself in being open minded enough to see value in competing therapeutic methodologies.  I have had training in many "so-called" opposing treatment methodologies and am able to take what works from these to concoct my own eclectic style of treatment.  I know when to use traditional methods and when to pull from my unconventional, yet proven, bag of tricks.  The bottom line is I’m dedicated to helping my clients communicate and I will do whatever it takes to help them become successful! 

I love my job!