Speech Therapy
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders.
A pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) works to improve a child’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills. An SLP will utilize articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and other interventions depending on the type of speech or language disorder.
Indicators that your child may benefit from speech therapy:
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Difficulty communicating verbally
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Difficulty understanding what they’re told
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Delay in speech and language milestones
Questions or concerns? Contact us today to set up an assessment.
Common diagnoses we treat:
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Aphasia
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Dysarthria
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Fluency disorders
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Resonance disorders
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Receptive disorders
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Expressive disorders
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Articulation disorders
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Feeding disorders
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) provides this reference for your child’s communication milestones from birth through age five. Click the link to access the free guide.
What will a speech therapist work on with my child?
A speech-language pathologist interacts with your child through talking, playing, books, pictures, and other objects to help stimulate language development.
They model correct sounds and syllables during age-appropriate play to teach your child how to make certain sounds.
The therapist will provide individualized strategies and activities for your child that can be carried out at home. Completing the activities at home with your child will maximize the progress they make during visits.
Meet our Speech Therapists
Stephanie Ayers, MS, CCC-SLP
Stephanie attended California State University, Sacramento where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and then her Masters degree in Speech Pathology. Stephanie has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages in a variety of settings including public schools, private clinics, preschool centers, and homes. Stephanie is constantly expanding her repertoire of skilled interventions with professional competency courses. She has attended a variety of conferences and professional trainings, including Hanen and PROMPT trainings. Stephanie enjoys working with families to help them learn how to facilitate their child's communication skills, and loves seeing new communication skills emerge! She is happily married and a mother of three.
Tory Byrd, MS, CCC-SLP
Tory received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in Health and Exercise Science with minors in Linguistics and Psychology in 2014 and then completed her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from Old Dominion University in 2016. She has over 6 years of experience working with children of all ages in various settings including preschool centers, daycares, homes, schools and outpatient clinics and loves helping families find ways to open communicative avenues for their children. Tory’s clinical experiences include working with individuals with various genetic differences, traumatic brain injuries, feeding concerns and developmental delays. She is constantly looking for ways to increase her knowledge base and enjoys going to conferences and completing continuing education opportunities. Tory currently lives in Angier, NC. She is a military wife and keeps busy chasing after her two amazing children.
Alexandra Nolan, MS CCC-SLP
Alex received her Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at North Carolina Central University. Alex has a passion for working with young children and has a particular interest in early intervention for treatment of language delays and articulation/phonology disorders. Alex’s clinical experience consists of evaluating and treating children of all ages with various diagnoses including receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, AAC, fluency disorders, Down Syndrome, and traumatic brain injury. She has provided diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to children of all ages in a variety of settings including daycares, homes, preschools, and clinics. Alex is currently licensed by N.C. Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and has her national certification from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Alex currently lives in Raleigh with her fiancé and dog. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and spending time outdoors!
Julianne Russo, MS, CCC-SLP
Abil-OT Clinical Director
Julianne completed her undergraduate studies in cognitive science at the University of Delaware, and her graduate studies in communication disorders at SUNY New Paltz. Throughout her educational career, she has gained experience working with a variety of populations as a student clinician. While studying upstate New York, she provided in-home services to children 0-3 years of age; worked with a geriatric population in an audiology clinic; and served pre-teen and teenage children in a middle school setting. She graduated in 2016 with a M.S. in Communication Disorders, and began working on Long Island shortly thereafter. Julianne completed her clinical fellowship year working with children 3-16 years of age. She has experience serving children with a wide variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Nagar Syndrome, as well as children with developmental or speech delays. During her time as a clinical fellow, Julianne worked to become level 2 PROMPT trained and attend many continuing education courses in Applied Behavior Analysis. In 2017, Julianne moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and has loved the change of pace! She has been working in elementary schools for the past 3 years, and has found her passion working with children of all ages. She is enthusiastic about working with other professionals and family members, and incorporating a team approach into her therapy sessions.
Julia Shingleton, MS, CF-SLP
Julia attended East Carolina University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Julia earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at North Carolina Central University. Julia has always had a passion for working with children and has a particular interest in early intervention treatment of articulation/phonology disorders, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder and AAC. She enjoys providing naturalistic, neurodiversity affirming therapy that is fun and engaging for the child. Julia's clinical experience consists of evaluating and treating children of all ages in both the school and pediatric private practice setting as a graduate clinician. She has evaluated and treated children of all ages with various diagnoses including receptive and expressive language disorders, AAC, articulation and phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder, fluency disorders, apraxia of speech, Fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. She currently lives in Raleigh and in her free time she enjoys going on walks with her dog, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family. NCCU Graduate Clinician - Speech Language Pathology Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S. '23
Celina Skrtich, M.S. CF-SLP
Celina received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Florida in Exceptional Student Education. She taught elementary special needs before attending Florida State University where she earned a graduate certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She received her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at North Carolina Central University. Celina is currently completing her clinical fellowship while she is in the process of earning her Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Her clinical experience includes working in private practices, public schools, and university and community-based programs. Her clinical interests include early intervention, counseling within the speech-language scope of practice, and multiculturalism. In her free time, Celina enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and listening to audiobooks. She finds joy in feeling the warmth from the sun and watching others learn something new.