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- Enri
- Fort
- 133 Hospital Drive NE
Fort Walton Beach
Florida
32548
United States - The Speech Pod
Fort Walton Beach
Florida
32548
United States
My CAS therapy sessions are based on the principles of motor learning and the most current evidence-based practice. Therapy sessions are play-based, fun and multi-sensory to maximize learning and engagement. Programs and tools used differ depending on the severity and the unique needs of each child but typically include Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), PROMPT, visual and physical cues, hand gestures, etc. Target words/phrases are carefully selected to reflect the child’s abilities, interest, needs and family input. There is strong evidence by recent studies that suggest frequent therapy sessions with high number of practice trials yield the most progress. We strive to elicit more than 60 repetitions per 30-min session, however, for young children with CAS, producing the target word/phrase requires intense focus and effort, and to repeat them is extremely demanding. Those intense practice trials are strategically embedded into the fun and engaging activities selected by the child. The bursts of these intense trials are rewarded by the fun activities that make the “hard work” worthwhile. By providing a safe and encouraging environment, I strive to help each child develop the their communication skills and the self-confidence they need to reach their highest potential.
Trained in Boston, I've been an SLP for 25 years. Since 2009, I practiced as a private SLP for 10 yrs in various countries in Europe and Asia. I evaluated and treated many CAS kids, providing education/training to families, schools, healthcare providers, etc. to increase awareness/referrals/accurate diagnosis/intervention/support. Since returning to US in 2019, I've spoken to school district leadership and their SLPs to update/use current evidence-based approaches, write IEPs to reflect CAS as a motor speech disorder, and set goals based on motor learning. I have supervised/mentored SLPAs and new CFs to equip them to be effective clinicians for patients with CAS. In March of 2023, I opened a private practice with focus on CAS & ASD. I accept Medicaid & all insurances to provide top-quality speech therapy to all in need. I contract with local schools/Head Start, Early Steps, diagnose, treat, and advocate for CAS. I write & speak to insurance companies to educate them to acknowledge the unique CAS needs for specialized therapists & more frequent/intensive therapy.
Families are always invited to join the session. If the child participates better without the family, we may start without the family, and then have them join towards the end of the session for family training. This way, families can be part of the target word/phrase selection, cues and strategies appropriate, and become proficient and confident as “practice partners.” Even if families cannot come join the session, Home Programs are provided; they are designed to be fun and meaningful, with carefully selected target words/phrases, easy activities, and cues and techniques to use when needed. I am available to answer questions and provide support via text and phone.
I have training in PECS, and have used sign, picture boards, buttons with messages, speech generating devices with simple and robust programs. My experience includes AAC evaluations, AAC device/program selection and setup, and helping each child learn how to use AAC to their highest potential. In homes and schools, I have provided guidance on how to incorporate AAC into daily activities, how to use visuals to support language development, and how to use AAC to support communication in different settings. One of my cherished experiences is with a 6-year-old girl with severe CAS who went from having minimal functional communication skills to using a speech generating device, forming 7-word sentences, and even telling jokes. Now she mainly uses spoken words, but occasionally uses her AAC to make sure people understand her.