Speech Language Pathologists

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Speech Language Pathologists

Sarah Birdsall, CCC-SLP, is a recent graduate from MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she gained her masters in Speech language pathology. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, where she majored in both Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Psychology. While working towards her master, Sarah worked in elementary schools, outpatient adult, and outpatient pediatric settings. She has experienced working with fluency disorders, articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, Alternative and augmentative communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder, reading/ writing, and aphasia. Her main areas of interest include anything pediatric, especially fluency and expressive/ receptive language. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys playing music and running. She joined the PPTFTH in July, 2019.

Jil Barros M.S., CCC-SLP joined Peer Projects-Therapy from the Heart in September 2015. She is a graduate of Emerson College, and has worked as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in clinics, school settings and private practice in Massachusetts for over 20 years. She has extensive experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, receptive and expressive language disorders, social pragmatic deficits, articulation, and motor planning disorders and fluency disorders. You will see Jil at the clinic on Saturdays helping out with groups and working with individual clients. She loves the collaboration here and contact with families. In her free time, Jil likes to ballroom dance and keeps busy with her teenage daughter. We feel lucky to have such a seasoned and enthusiastic clinician on our team!

Emily Chuang, M.S. CF-SLP, (she/they) is a recent graduate from Northeastern University, where they obtained both their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Speech Language Pathology. Emily is Taiwanese-American, proficient in Mandarin Chinese, and has a passion for diversity, inclusion, and equity. While working towards their Master's degree, Emily gained clinical experience working in elementary schools, inpatient adult, and outpatient pediatric settings. Emily has experience with articulation disorders, expressive and receptive language delays and disorders, reading disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and more. Emily is interested in continuing their education in areas such as voice therapy. Outside of work, Emily enjoys playing games, baking, and spending time with family. Emily joined PPTFTH in September, 2020.

Tifanny Collis B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Sociology from the University of Central Florida. During this time, she gained experience working in preschools, with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and tutoring. She is currently working full time as an SLPA in the public school system and her areas of interest include articulation, language, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Tifanny enjoys the outdoors, animals, and spending time with her family and friends. She joined Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in May 2017 and loves being a part of the team!

Heidi Cope CCC-SLP. After a first career in horticulture, Heidi returned to school in 2015 to obtain a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders at the University of New Hampshire. She came to PPTFTH as a graduate student in January 2018 and began employment after graduating in May. Heidi is interested in neurogenic and neurodevelopmental speech and language disorders across the lifespan including voice, resonance/VPI, fluency, motor speech, and pediatric and adult language disorders. She has a certification in LSVT (Lee Silverman Voice Therapy) and other experience in the field includes acute medical, outpatient medical, skilled nursing with individuals with dementia, and pediatric speech and language in the outpatient and private practice settings. She also has experience in the Massachusetts school system as a speech assistant. Heidi especially enjoys sharing her love of nature, plants, and design, and incorporating these interests into therapy, whenever possible. She lives in Beverly with her husband Craig, and their dog Pippin.

Darya Deker, M.S., CF-SLP. After spending nearly a decade in advertising, Darya went back to school to study communication sciences and disorders at MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she earned her master’s degree in 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Barnard College in 2009. Darya’s clinical experience includes working with individuals across the lifespan and in schools, home health, and outpatient pediatric and adult clinics. She has experience with receptive and expressive language delays, fluency disorders, cognitive impairments, functional communication, social pragmatics, and aphasia. In her free time, Darya enjoys traveling, photography, cooking (and eating!), and listening to music. Darya lives in Somerville with her husband and infant. She joined PPTFTH in March of 2021.

Kris Desmarais B.A., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration on Speech and Hearing Science at Rhode Island College. During her college career she worked for Perspectives Corporation at a group home with adolescent males with disabilities. During this time she gained experience working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum, individuals with Down Syndrome, and those with mood disorders. She currently works full time in a special education classroom at the Children’s Center for Communication Beverly School for the Deaf. There she has gained experience with receptive and expressive language deficits, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and communication disorders. Kristin enjoys writing, nature, skiing, and cooking. Kristin recently relocated to Massachusetts from Rhode Island in September and joined the PPTFTH team in October 2017!

Jaime Gilmore B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. She received her Bachelor's degree from Worcester State University where she double majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish. She gained experience while working in a small, pediatric clinic as a rehab aide while in high school. Jaime has experience working with articulation and language delays/disorders, pragmatic delays/difficulties, and executive functioning difficulties among the pediatric and Autism Spectrum population. Her interests include articulation and language therapy and watching social growth within small group settings. She joined PPTFTH in September 2016.

Elizabeth Horan CCC-SLP, is a recent graduate from Emerson College, where she gained her masters in Speech Language Pathology. She also received her Bachelor's Degree from the Emerson College, where she majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. While working towards her Masters, Elizabeth worked in early intervention, preschools, special education elementary schools, and outpatient pediatric settings. She has experience working with Autism Spectrum Disorders, articulation disorders, social pragmatics, alternative and augmentative communication, children with hearing loss, feeding disorders, and aphasia. Elizabeth's main areas of interest include working in a pediatric setting with tiny tots, social pragmatics, and children with feeding disorders. She loves being active, playing sports, and going on adventures. Elizabeth joined the team in May, 2018 as an SLP-A on Saturdays while in graduate school, and officially began her Clinical Fellowship full-time experience in September of 2019.

Larissa Kortis MS., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and recent graduate of Northeastern University. During her graduate career she gained experience working with both adults and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, receptive and expressive language deficits, articulation and apraxia/motor planning deficits, phonological disorders, social-pragmatic deficits, cognitive language impairments, and swallowing disorders. Larissa provided therapy in schools, rehabilitation facilities, and a hospital. Larissa enjoys working with a wide range of populations, but she is especially interested in the areas of articulation, social skills/pragmatics, and language. Larissa grew up on Cape Cod and continues to love to spend her free time on the beaches. She joined Peer Projects ~ Therapy from the Heart in June 2016 and is very excited to be part of the team!

Amy Meltzer M.S., CCC-SLP earned her Masters from Boston University in 2008. She received her Bachelors degree in psychology at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Amy specializes in Alternative and Augmentative Communication, tablet and device programming for both education and communication. Amy is always thinking of innovative and creative ideas to help her students/clients. She works full time with children and young adults ages 3-22 with moderate to severe disabilities at a local school. She has nearly 7 years experience working with children and young adults with difficulty in social skills, functional communication, and articulation. Amy loves to find innovative and exciting ways to incorporate technology into her practice. She has helped develop communication apps and she also works a part time telepractice (speech therapy online) job for a middle school in the Mariana Islands. Amy enjoys going for walks/jogs, playing outside, and swimming with her three young children. Amy joined Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in December, 2014 and she is looking forward to helping more children communicate effectively, sharing her knowledge and skill-set with this fantastic team of therapists, and gaining new knowledge and experiences!

Lorin Moustakis B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She completed her Bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in Communication Disorders with Minors in both Education and Psychology. During her undergraduate degree, she gained experience working in preschool and elementary schools. Since graduating in 2015, she has been working in special education classrooms at the Children's Center for Communication, Beverly School for the Deaf in Beverly, MA. She has experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, receptive and expressive language deficits, as well as language, communication and cognitive disorders. Lorin joined Peer Projects Therapy from the Heart in November 2016.

Deirdre Mulcahy Patch M.S., CCC-SLP brings over 26 years of experience in the field of Pediatric Speech and Language with a focus on feeding and swallowing disorders. She has experience in a variety of settings including home health, rehabilitation hospital, outpatient clinic and school based. Supporting children with complex feeding disorders and their families earned her the Irma Simms Rubenstein Award for Clinical Excellence. As Senior Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston, Deirdre provided services to a wide range of children with complex medical needs including preterm infants, tracheostomy and ventilator dependent children. In addition to treating children both on the inpatient unit and outpatient specialty clinics, she performed Modified Barium Swallow Studies. Deirdre has her certification in Neurodevelopmental Treatment supporting children with neuromuscular issues that impact speech, feeding and swallowing disorders. As a clinical specialist, she implemented a feeding and swallowing program and mealtime groups within the Robbins Center at the Communication Sciences & Disorders Undergraduate Program at Emerson College. At the time, the group programs were the first in the Boston area. In addition, as an Adjunct Professor, she participated in the instruction of students in varying college courses on feeding and swallowing. Linda Murphy, director and owner of Peer Projects, was one of Deirdre’s graduate interns. This is how Linda and Deirdre first met! As a highly respected professional, Deirdre is frequently sought after to provide evaluation, consultation and treatment for the complex child with mealtime challenges. Her own continuing education experiences have focused on feeding and swallowing issues and related topics. Families are always at the center of her treatment sessions. Deirdre enjoys the outdoors including gardening, everything to do with the beach, and skiing. Her greatest joy is marveling at her three children and their discoveries!

Laura Racobaldo, SLPA earned a Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language and Audiology with minors in Early Intervention and Psychology from Northeastern University. During that time, she completed 300 hours of hands-on training in EI, and worked at the on-campus preschool. She currently works as a full-time SLPA in the public school system, and as a part-time Developmental Therapist in EI. Her areas of interest include early language development, receptive language skills, social pragmatics, and articulation. Laura enjoys going for runs, throwing dinner parties, and spending time with family back in South Jersey.

Sue Savarese M.S., CCC-SLP has been a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since completing a Master's degree from Emerson College in 1994. Sue received her undergraduate degree in Family Studies from the University of Kentucky which she has found complements her work with clients and their families. Before pursuing a Master's degree, Sue worked in residential schools for children with a variety of disabilities including autism, hearing impairment, and developmental delays. Sue spent several fulfilling years after obtaining her Master's degree working with adults in health care facilities. During this time, Sue taught First Steps in Music classes in preschools, integrated classrooms in Manchester-Essex and Hamilton-Wenham schools and story time groups at the Hamilton-Wenham library for infants and toddlers. Most recently, Sue has expanded her passion for working with children by providing speech and language services in the Manchester-Essex Integrated Preschool. Sue has experience working with children with apraxia, articulation and phonological disorders, and stuttering as well as expressive and receptive language delays. Sue has found that combining music activities with speech and language therapy can be an effective approach for children with a wide variety of challenges. Sue is thrilled to be part of the Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart team.

Katie Schreiner B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She received her Bacherlor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Katie has experience in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, receptive and expressive language deficits, language and cognitive impairments, and deaf education. Katie's areas of interest include AAC, articulation, and language. She joined PPTFTH in May 2016.

Kelly Scott B.S., SLPA is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and a minor in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2017. During this time, she gained experience working in a preschool, volunteering with an organization called Aphasia Pals, and working for the MGH Aspire summer program. She currently works full time at a local high school as an SLPA. She has extensive experience working with children with social/pragmatic difficulties, executive functioning needs, communication disorders, ASD, and ADD/ADHD. Kelly is also working towards her Masters in Education for Double Licensure as a School Counselor/School Adjustment Counselor with a certificate in ASD studies. Kelly joined PPTFTH in September 2018 and is thrilled to be a part of this team!

Marie Triant, M.S., CCC-SLP is a recent graduate of Northeastern University, where she earned a master's degree in Speech Language Pathology. She received her bachelor's degree from Boston University in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science with a minor in Spanish. Marie has experience working in elementary schools, home health, and private practices. She enjoys working with children and adults in many areas, including language, alternative/augmentative communication, social communication, feeding, executive function, and articulation/phonology. Marie joined the PPTFTH team in January 2020 after completing her clinical externship here in the fall of 2019.

Katie Vitas M.S., CCC-SLP, CEIS has been practicing as a Speech and Language Pathologist since graduating from Emerson College in 2006. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University with minors in Special Education and Spanish. Katie worked in Early Intervention in Cambridge and Somerville, MA for two years where she met Linda; they worked closely until Linda left to commit to her private practice full time. In 2007, Katie pursued her aspirations to become a Reading Specialist, knowing this would complement her speech and language background. In May 2011, Katie received her Certificate of Advanced Study in Reading from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. As part of her reading studies, Katie received her Wilson Reading Program certification while working in the Wellesley Public Schools at a K-5 elementary school. Throughout her four years working as an SLP in Wellesley, Katie continued her professional development by participating in an eight week training course on Thinking Maps®, training in Project Read Written Expression: Framing Your Thoughts®, and Visualizing and Verbalizing®, along with workshops and studies in others areas such as Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social curriculum. Throughout her career, Katie has worked with clients ranging from toddlers to young adults with a variety of speech and language challenges including, articulation, stuttering, apraxia, receptive and expressive language, executive functioning, auditory processing and social thinking. Katie has particular interests in the areas of receptive and expressive language, related to reading and writing challenges, as well as the area of social thinking. In addition, collaborating with a child’s family and team is an essential component to any therapy and one that Katie holds in high regard. Katie has enjoyed working as a part of the Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart team since September 2013. A more flexible, part time schedule has proven to be the perfect balance of career involvement and spending time raising her two young sons at home.

Sara Zion M.S., CCC-SLP has been a Speech-Language Pathologist since she graduated from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2006. She was drawn to the field by multiple factors, including her own struggles with speech and learning issues, her study of Linguistics in college and her work at a Lindamood-Bell reading clinic. Sara has always been interested in the connection between spoken and written communication disorders, and pursued a secondary certification in reading during her graduate studies. She has training in social pragmatics and is also proficient in the Spanish language, having studied abroad in Bolivia as part of her Spanish major in college. She has experience working with children and adolescents with autism, learning disabilities, articulation disorders and apraxia in both public schools and private clinics. She is currently working full-time for the Salem Public Schools. She was thrilled to join Peer Projects - Therapy from the Heart in September 2015. She is passionate about pursuing pottery in her free time.