ABOUT ME
Welcome to my page! I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with a passion for helping children communicate effectively and express themselves. I grew up in the Syracuse, New York area and received my undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH. Shortly after, I obtained my Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Boston University. I've lived in Maryland since 2019 and recently moved to Frederick, MD with my husband, Matt, and our dog, Mylah.
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With over six years of experience as a clinician in private practice, I have developed expertise in pediatric speech, language and literacy. Throughout my career, I have experienced first hand the concomitant nature of speech/language disorders and reading deficits. Reading is a complex process that requires the brain to visually process information, map symbols (letters) to sounds and access the semantic network to match the word to it's meanings. As a speech-language pathologist, I am trained in cognitive and language assessment and intervention to treat all aspects of reading and writing to maximize literacy development. This distinction, coupled with my multi-sensory, positive and evidenced-based therapy approach, allows me to unlock my patients' communication potential to thrive in their everyday environments.
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I am passionate about speech-language pathology and continuously strive to stay updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques to provide the highest quality care possible.
MY APPROACH
Evidenced-Based, Patient-Centered Care
At LLC, I use a comprehensive approach that prioritizes patient-centered care, recognizing that each child is unique and requires personalized intervention. I use evidenced-based practices, ensuring that my interventions are grounded in the latest research and proven methodologies to guarantee the most effective outcomes for my patients. For the little ones, this includes integrating play-based techniques and principles of joint attention, as I recognize the profound impact of these interactions in facilitating communication and connections. For my readers, I use a multi-sensory approach to bolster their understanding and application of literacy skills. Moreover, I foster a compassionate and supportive environment across all my interventions to create a nurturing space for my patients to explore, grow, and achieve their therapeutic goals.
National Reading Crisis
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test in 2024, about 41% of 4th grade students in Maryland were reading below grade level. In January 2024, the Maryland State Board of Education called for the statewide adoption and implementation of literacy instruction based on the Science of Reading starting with the 2024-25 academic year. This decision was made to prioritize literacy because the development and mastery of early literacy skills are strong predictors of later school reading and math achievement. Ms. Kayla has studied the literacy crisis since her undergraduate thesis, "An Investigation of Speech-Language Pathologists' Prevention Methods with Preschoolers from Low-Socioeconomic Status Families During the Process of Emergent Literacy" and is determined to take action against this reading deficit by supporting children in her community. She uses the Orton-Gillingham reading method, which aligns with the science of reading, and her knowledge of foundational literacy skills to strengthen your child's reading fluency and comprehension, so they can be successful inside and outside of the classroom.