Education:

• Harding University: Bachelor of Arts in communication Sciences and Disorders.
• Harding University: Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology

Licenses & Certificates:

• Licensed to practice in the state of South Carolina
• Received Certificate of Clinical Competence through American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Work History:
During my time at the Harding University, I had the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical settings including: the Harding Speech and Hearing Clinic, Skilled nursing facility, Harding Academy, Kids First (a pediatric day health care program operated by UAMS Department of Pediatrics), and experience in Zambia, Africa. Through these placements, I gained experience in evaluating and treating a variety of communication disorders including speech, language, voice, social communication, AAC, literacy, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. Since my time at Young Talkers, I have completed my clinician fellowship year and received my ASHA certification as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), my passion lies in empowering individuals to communicate their wants and needs effectively and achieve their personal goals. I work closely with clients of all ages, from children overcoming articulation challenges to learning early language skills. Through patience, creativity, and evidence-based strategies, I strive to make each session not only productive but also enjoyable and fun.

Since my time at Young Talkers, I have completed my clinical fellowship year and received my ASHA certification as a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP).

Specialized Training:
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a method of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that uses pictures to help people with autism or other developmental disabilities communicate without speech. It uses visual symbols to teach the learner to communicate with parents, careers, teachers and peers and use photographs to ask for things, comment on things or answer questions.

LSVT LOUD (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment – LOUD) is a speech therapy program that helps people with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions improve their speech and communication. The goal is to help people with Parkinson’s disease recognize that their voice is too quiet and learn to speak more loudly. It is a standardized program that involves 16 one-hour sessions with a speech therapist over four weeks. LSVT LOUD can help improve vocal loudness, speech intelligibility, facial expressions, and interpersonal confidence. The treatment is based on over 20 years of research. LSVT LOUD improves communication by helping you speak with a voice and volume that’s easy for others to hear and understand. The treatment is built on tailored exercises that strengthen the voice box (larynx) and speech system. The main focus of the treatment is to “speak LOUD!” However, it doesn’t teach you to shout.

“Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders: The SOS Approach to Feeding”
A 4-day training conference on the SOS Approach to Feeding. This is a feeding program that is a non-invasive developmental approach to feeding. It is designed to assess and address all the factors involved in feeding difficulties. This approach allows a child to interact with food in a playful, non-stressful way. It focuses on increasing a child’s comfort level through exploring and learning about the different properties of foods, including texture, smell, taste, and consistency. The SOS approach follows a hierarchy to feeding from tolerating foods in the room, interacting with the food, smelling, touching, tasting, and eventually, eating the food.