Communication is a critical component of early childhood and provides a foundation for cognition, social skills, problem solving, and reasoning. Delays or impairments in speech (motor output of sounds to make words) can lead to difficulty expressing ideas, wants and needs and may also manifest in reading or spelling difficulties. Similarly, difficulties in language (form, function, and use of a systematic structure of symbols) can inhibit effective communication and limit a child's ability to express their wants and needs with adults and peers.

Early identification and intervention is key in improving early speech and language difficulties. As a medicaid provider, I provide early intervention speech-language services for children birth to 3 who have been identified with a speech or language delay or impairment. I also provide speech services for children 3 and older via private pay.

My therapy approach to early intervention is one that is contextualized, naturalistic, and child & family-driven. The needs of family drive the therapy. Integration of drill-based, clinician-led therapy as needed provides a balance to a play-based approach. It is driven by evidence-based practices that are meaningful for the individuals and their families and geared toward transferring skills across environments. Teaching families how to "think like a therapist" empowers families and children to carry over therapy techniques naturally in their daily lives. Areas of particular interest for me include articulation & phonology, motor speech, voice, early language development, and accent training. I am able to bill Medicaid and I also accept private pay.