Communication needs can look different from person to person, and so can the services that help.

Below are the areas I primarily work in, along with examples of what we might address together.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

Maybe your child has an AAC device but rarely uses it, or you've been shown how to model language without feeling sure what that should look like outside of therapy.

Having access to AAC and knowing how to use it to communicate are two different things.

AAC therapy can help bridge that gap through aided language modeling, communication partner coaching, and finding ways to incorporate AAC into everyday interactions.

We'll look beyond whether someone can select the right button and focus on helping them use AAC to express their own messages, make choices, and connect with others—without requiring imitation or a particular response.

Please note: I provide AAC therapy, implementation support, and communication partner coaching. I do not currently offer comprehensive AAC device evaluations, including device selection trials or durable medical equipment (DME) funding evaluations and reports.

Neurodivergent Communication

Your child might communicate through familiar phrases, scripts, or lines from favorite shows, and you may be wondering how to build on that language. Or perhaps you're looking for speech-language support that recognizes different ways of communicating without expecting someone to follow a particular social script.

I work with autistic and other neurodivergent individuals on language development, echolalia, gestalt language processing, communication repair, and self-advocacy.

This may also include exploring ways to communicate needs, preferences, or boundaries during situations like transitions, stress, or overwhelm.

We'll build on how the person already communicates while working on additional skills and strategies that are useful in their everyday life. This may also mean helping family members and other communication partners better recognize and respond to their messages.

Support related to emotions or behavior remains focused on speech, language, and communication. It is not mental health counseling or behavior therapy.

Stuttering

You might find yourself changing words, avoiding certain situations, or thinking ahead about whether you'll stutter. Or maybe you're comfortable with your stuttering but want support navigating specific communication situations.

Stuttering therapy can involve learning more about stuttering, exploring avoidance and anticipation, practicing self-advocacy, or developing strategies that fit your goals.

For parents of children who stutter, I also provide education and guidance to help you understand your child's experiences and consider ways to support their communication.

Fluent speech doesn't have to be the goal. What matters is understanding what you want from communication and working toward that.

Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Communication

Whether you're looking for communication support for yourself or your Deaf or hard-of-hearing child, services will depend on your language experiences, communication needs, and goals.

For families, this might mean figuring out how to make language more accessible throughout the day, incorporating visual communication into familiar routines, or learning how to provide consistent language models at home.

I offer speech-language therapy, family education, and communication partner coaching informed by my background in speech-language pathology, American Sign Language (ASL), and experience working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

Services may also include communication strategies and aural rehabilitation for adults, depending on individual needs.

For families incorporating ASL at home, I may use resources such as the ASL at Home curriculum to support language-rich interactions and everyday communication.

ASL instruction and Deaf mentorship are distinct from the speech-language services offered at Forget-Me-Not. When appropriate, I can recommend connecting with Deaf ASL instructors or Deaf mentors for additional language and cultural learning opportunities.

I work with individuals and families who use English, Spanish, ASL, or a combination of languages and/or modalities. Language and cultural background are considered throughout assessment, treatment, and family education.