When I was 16 years old, I became drawn to speech-language pathology while volunteering at the Easter Seal Treatment Center’s summer camp for language-delayed preschoolers. It was there that my passion for helping children communicate was first ignited. It became important to me to help build children’s confidence in communication while empowering parents to listen differently, seize daily learning opportunities, and interpret their child’s communication. My goal became to bridge a connection between the child’s communication and the parents' understanding, as well as their ability to foster language development.

 

I grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, and graduated with my Master of Science degree from Loyola College in Baltimore. Now, I’m a mother of 3, one of whom has complex medical issues and significant intellectual disabilities. One characteristic of his disability is being non-verbal. I have learned from him that people can be extremely successful in communicating their intent in many ways without speaking words. His total communication system of facial expressions, gestures, close proximity, eye gaze, and speech generating device communicates his intent as well as his understanding across settings. I’m fortunate that I can relate to parents of special needs children as well as professionals treating them. 

​

When I am not working, I can be found relaxing on or near any body of water, wine tasting, or experimenting with new recipes in my kitchen. Since it takes an extraordinary village to raise a child with special needs, I’m active with the Dup15q Alliance as well.