I am highly experienced in working with any type of sound production and oral motor deficits. I am especially successful with the more severe forms of phonological disorders and verbal apraxia, and have completed training with Pamela Marshalla and Debra Beckman in these areas. Young children that are understanding language well, but struggling to speak often have motor planning difficulties and need early intensive therapy to acquire verbal language. Despite the initial severity of this type of articulation disorder, the prognosis for eventual attainment of normal, intelligible speech is excellent. My philosophy of therapy with young children is that it should be playful, fun, and respectful of the difficulties the child might be experiencing. The family is often involved in the process.  For more information on apraxia: 
www.apraxia-kids.org 

I have significant experience working with language impaired children. My philosophy is to playfully guide the child to attaining the needed basis for language through pretend play, and making therapy a meaningful experience the child can apply to their everyday lives. An emphasis on social language is maintained, as well as respect for the academic and literacy needs of the older child.

My experience has taught me that many young children diagnosed with autism simply have severe language disorders. As they improve their mastery of language, the autistic symptoms often fade away.

I have extensive training with Stanley Greenspan, M.D. and have successfully implemented his Floor Time model with a number of children.  For more information on Dr Greenspan and Floor Time:

www.stanelygreenspan.com/
 

I have a philosophy of fluency disorders which involves treating the whole individual, guiding them to make the necessary changes in speech production to enhance fluent speech.  The Stuttering Foundation of America is an excellent resource:

www. stuttersfa.org/default.htm

My post-graduate coursework in voice has equipped me to work with voice disorders such as vocal nodules, polyps, contact ulcers, and work with programs of vocal hygiene.  Voice problems must be diagnosed by a medical professional prior to treatment. For information about voice disorder diagnosis and treatment:

www.voicedoctor.net
 

As a previous member of the Feeding and Swallowing Disorders team at Minneapolis Children's Hospital, I have experience working with children's specific feeding issues including failure to thrive infants, neurological deficits, and behavioral feeding issues.
I have many successes in treating myofunctional disorders such as tongue thrust, a common swallowing disorder in which the tongue pushes against the teeth during the swallow, pushing the teeth forward and sometimes causing articulation disorders such as a lisp. This problem can typically be corrected in 16 weeks or less, even in teenagers and adults.