Communication Works is a private practice of Bay Area speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, committed to providing the highest quality of services to our clients, families, and caregivers. We thoroughly enjoy the work that we do and look forward to working with you!
Hillary Kissack, M.A., CCC-SLP
Co-Director/Owner
Email: hillary@cwtherapy.com
Hillary is the co-director/owner of Communication Works. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, who has served individuals with speech, language and social deficits, auditory processing deficits, oral motor deficits, developmental disabilities, and autism. She has provided therapy for infants up through young adults in a variety of settings; including public schools, nonpublic agencies, in the home, and in private practice. Hillary has gained experience in dealing with challenging behaviors and behavioral management. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Chico and her Master’s Degree from University of the Pacific in Stockton. Since 2003, she has specialized in developing and providing social language groups for children in the Bay Area. Hillary truly enjoys working with a variety of students and their families. In her spare time she is enjoying her own family, husband and children.
Elizabeth Sautter, M.A., CCC-SLP
Co-Director/Owner
Email: elizabeth@cwtherapy.com
Elizabeth is the co-director/owner of Communication Works. She is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist who has been working with clients and their families since 1996. Elizabeth received her Bachelor’s Degree from San Francisco State University and her Master’s Degree from San Jose State University. She is experienced in the areas of autism, developmental disabilities, social cognitive deficits, and challenging behaviors. Elizabeth has worked with individuals ranging from preschoolers to adults in private practice, schools, and hospitals. Since 2001, Elizabeth has focused most of her career on social cognitive and self-regulation intervention and training. She has completed
the mentorship and internship with Michelle Garcia Winner and has authored 2 children’s books on Whole Body Listening. In addition, her relationship with her sister and extended family members with special needs have made her work a life-long endeavor. She is an Oakland native and lives with her husband, 2 sons and dog.
Audra L. Elliott, M.S., CCC-SLP
Director of Program Development and Supervision
Email: audra@cwtherapy.com
Audra has over 15 years of supervisory and therapeutic experience at the university level and in the private sector. She is highly regarded as an expert in the field of autism, deaf and hard of hearing populations and has vast experience with AAC. She has been involved with the development of several professional conferences both at the local and national level, provided training for professionals in the medical settings, and has professionally edited several publications in the field. Prior to joining CW, she owned her own private practice, and has been the Director of Special Programs for the Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic and Communicative Sciences and Disorders Department at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). Audra is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist, is on the ASHA Ad Hoc Committee on ASD and has been an Advisory Board member of the California Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CA CADDRE) as well as is a member of the Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) and Council for Exceptional Children.
Liz Weldon, M.S., CCC-SLP
Assistant Director & Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: liz@cwtherapy.com
Liz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University. While at SJSU, she 
completed a thesis investigating the effectiveness of behavioral checklists in measuring treatment outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has specialized in working with children with ASD ever since. For the past 3 years, she has worked and trained with a co-author of the SCERTS Model, and has also been formally trained in the SCERTS approach to home and school based intervention for children with ASD (www.scerts.com). Liz is certified in the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk and More than Words programs and has experience running these programs which focus on helping parents better communicate with their children with language delays and ASD (www.hanen.org). She is also trained in the Kaufman approach to working with children with apraxia of speech. She comes to CW from Oakland Childrens Hospital where she worked on a multidisciplinary autism intervention team, utilizing her experience with SCERTS and Hanen and gaining experience inDIR/Floortime (www.icdl.com) and sensory integration therapy. Liz lives in San Francisco and enjoys running, yoga, and playing soccer, and the many events offered by the city including live music, baseball games, and fine dining with friends and family.
Administrative Staff
Anthony Savala
Business Services
Email: anthony@cwtherapy.com
Anthony has over 10 years experience in sales, relationship management and business development in the private sector. As our Business Manager, Anthony is responsible for the financial and strategic planning for our office. His addition to the team allows the managing partners to focus on therapy.
When not at work Anthony enjoys reading up on the environment, sustainable living and spending time with his wife and two sons. He also enjoys traveling. After graduating from the University of Arizona he began to “shoe-string” travel and has been to 14 countries in South East Asia, Europe and Central America.
Stephanie Alvarez
Client Coordinator
Email: stephanie@cwtherapy.com
Stephanie comes to Communication Works with over eight years of experience in retail management and operations, consulting/sales, and administrative assistance. She graduated from California State University, East Bay with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Advertising/Marketing. Stephanie was born and raised in the SF Bay Area, where she currently resides with her husband and two dogs. When not working, Stephanie enjoys going to baseball and football games, shopping, and running races with her dad.
Ruben Cortez
Office Administrator
Email: ruben@cwtherapy.com
Ruben comes to CW from a retail management and an administrative assistant background. He has a B.A. in Music from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. Ruben was born and raised in the Central Coast of California. In his free time he enjoys writing and recording music, running, playing beach volleyball, and keeping up with his favorite television shows, movies, and books.
In the Center
Erica Bland, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: erica@cwtherapy.com
Erica is a graduate of California State University, East Bay with a Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology and audiology. An Atlanta native, Erica received her Bachelor’s Degree in special education at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. During that time, she developed an interest in the area of autism while working at Emory University in the Walden Program. Additionally, she spent time in San Diego as an in-home therapist, trained in techniques of floor time therapy, discrete-trial teaching, and applied behavioral analysis with children with autism, ranging in age from toddlers to school-age children. Also a site supervisor for a social skills training program, Erica taught social communication skills to children with autism and worked to generalize those skills in biweekly community outings. Her main areas of interest are early intervention and autism, and she specializes in social thinking, SCERTS, self regulation and sensory integration work. During her down time, Erica enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Lauren Delucchi, B.A., SLPA
Social Cognitive Specialist
Email: lauren@cwtherapy.com
Lauren received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Chico. Currently as a SLPA with CW, Lauren has worked with preschool, elementary, and high school children ranging from moderate to severe disabilities for seven years. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is her area of interest as well as self-regulation and social thinking work. She has worked to support individuals with complex communication needs through the use of low-tech, mid-tech and high-tech communication systems for several years in various settings. Lauren is excited to be a part of this new and growing field – providing many with the technology they need in order to be heard. After living in Northern California for several years, Lauren is excited to be back in the Bay Area with her friends and family. When not working, you will find Lauren at a baseball game, swimming, golfing, or just outside enjoying the weather.
Alanna Dutra, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: alanna@cwtherapy.com
Alanna received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Humboldt State University and her Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology from San Jose State University. While at San Jose State, Alanna participated extensively with the Preschool Screening Project, helping to screen area preschool students for speech and language disorders. Alanna has worked with clients ranging in age from preschoolers to adults and has experience with autism spectrum disorders, special needs populations, and receptive/expressive language disorders. She is certified in the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program and has experience and training in Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking curriculum, The Zones of Regulation, DIR/Floortime, and SCERTS. When not working, Alanna enjoys travel, reading, vegetarian cooking, theater, and riding the Tilt-A-Whirl.
Jamie Friedland, M.S., CF
Clinical Fellow
Email: jamie@cwtherapy.com
Jamie received her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from California State University, Northridge, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Human Development from the University of California, San Diego. Jamie’s interest in communication disorders is a culmination of undergraduate research and work with students with language-based learning and reading disabilities and later as a DIR/Floortime therapist and Behavioral Consultant working with children with autism and developmental delays. For years she worked as a case manager developing behavioral programming and coordinating services for clients with developmental disabilities. She has served the pediatric and adult populations with language delays/disorders, articulation and phonology disorders, social-cognitive challenges, anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, and learning disabilities. Jamie has experience and formal training in the following areas: Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking curriculum, The Zones of Regulation, DIR/Floortime, SCERTS, Hanen Certified, Lindamood Bell, Kaufman Approach to Apraxia of Speech, Lee Silverman Voice Training, and Lessac Madsen Resonance Voice Therapy. Jamie loves to spend time at the beach, doing yoga, craft projects and traveling with friends and family.
Leah Kuypers, M.A. Ed., OTR/L
CW Consultant
Email: leah@cwtherapy.com
Leah earned her bachelor’s in occupational therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a graduate certificate in autism and M.A. in education from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. She has practiced, as an occupational therapist in the school and clinical settings, specializing in sensory processing disorder, motor coordination and self-regulation needs. Leah has worked with students with autism since 1999 as an ABA therapist, occupational therapist, and most recently as an educational autism specialist in the school system. Her experience includes working with students of all ages and challenges, including mental health disorders, motor impairments, anxiety disorders, social cognitive difficulties, ADHD/ADD, and other neurobiological disorders. Over the last 10 years she has extended her education in behavior management, therapeutic listening, TEACCH, social thinking, ALERT program, Braingym, Neuronet, sensory processing, visual strategies, assessments and evaluations including the ADOS as well as others. Leah has developed and presented to parents and professionals on a curriculum she terms “The Zones of Regulation”, which is an evidence based curriculum designed to help clients learn strategies to self-regulate their sensory needs and emotions. She currently resides in Minnesota with her family and is available for consultations via phone or Skype.
Stephanie Lee, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: stephanie.lee@cwtherapy.com
Stephanie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. While teaching English abroad, she decided to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. Stephanie received a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from California State University, East Bay. Stephanie’s experience includes serving individuals and groups with apraxia of speech, articulation/phonological disorder, auditory processing difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, expressive/receptive language delay and disorder, selective mutism, and social communication deficits. Her main area of interest is early intervention. However, she enjoys working with children of all ages as well as their families and caregivers. Stephanie is certified in the Hanen Program It Takes Two to Talk. Stephanie is also trained in the Kaufman approach to working with kids with apraxia of speech. Additionally, she incorporates SCERTS, DIR/Floortime, Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking curriculum, The Zones of Regulation, Relationship Development Intervention, and Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing program in her therapy when appropriate. When not working, Stephanie enjoys spending time traveling with her husband and son.
Carrie Lindemuth
Learning Specialist/Executive Function Thinking* Coach
Email: carrie@cwtherapy.com
Carrie is a pioneer in the field of coaching Executive Function Thinking Skills. She began this work in 2003, researching and developing programs to teach the executive 
function thinking skills necessary to support emotional regulation, social communication, and adaptive decision making. She is a credentialed teacher with 25 years of educational experience that includes classroom teaching in an independent school in the East Bay, designing programs for gifted children, and more recently homeschooling her two children (a 2e teenager who is gifted as well as on the Autism Spectrum, and his creative, bright, attention-challenged sibling.) Currently she is a graduate student at HNU where she is completing coursework towards her Masters of Education/Educational Therapy Certificate. Her two-fold passion is developing programs to helping students with weak Executive Function Thinking Skills successfully navigate the complex realm of real word adaptive problem solving, and coaching young adults as they transition from high school to college / from home life to independent living. When she is not working she spends time with her family, and exploring her third passion -developing a Wonder Curriculum designed to help young learners develop their intellectual curiosity.
*Carrie will forever be thankful to Elizabeth Sautter, Director at CW, for developing the term Executive Function Thinking, which so aptly describes her work.
Katie Reid, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
E-mail: katie@cwtherapy.com
Katie received her Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her Bachelor’s Degree from Miami University of Ohio. Katie is trained in Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), It Takes Two to Talk- The Hanen Program, Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking curriculum, The Zones of Regulation, the Kaufman approach to working with children with apraxia of speech, the Introduction of PROMPT, Systematic Articulation Training Program Accessing Computers (SATPAC), The Lindecombe Program, and Visual Phonics. Prior to joining Communication Works, Katie was with a private practice for two years where she specialized in early intervention for English and Spanish-speaking children implementing assessments and individual therapy for children with a variety of speech and language disorders. Katie has several years of experience working with children who have fluency disorders, apraxia of speech, articulation and phonology disorders, language disorders, and autism. Katie is also trained in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) for working with adults with Parkinson disease. Katie lives in San Francisco and enjoys being active and adventurous during her free time.
Paulette Schafir, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Email: paulette@cwtherapy.com
Paulette received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in 1999. She comes to CW with over 12 years of practice which includes experience as a school based OT, private practice, and employment and training at a children’s hospital. As a Pediatric OT, she assesses and treats a child’s functioning for the “jobs of living” including playing, eating and dressing with the goal of maximum functioning and independence at home, in the community and school. She is experienced in providing intervention for those with orthopedic, fine/gross motor, visual motor, sensory-motor impairment and feeding disorders. Paulette has received training in Handwriting Without Tears, SOS Approach to Feeding, DIR Approach to Pediatric Feeding, in addition to comprehensive intervention for sensory processing disorder and emotional regulation.
In the Field
Hasina Anderson M.S., CF
Clinical Fellow
Email: hasina@cwtherapy.com
Hasina received her Bachelor’s Degree in Telecommunications from Baylor University in Waco, Texas (Sic ‘Em Bears!) and her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, East Bay. Hasina’s interest in communication began with her passion to share someone’s story through print/broadcast journalism and later marketing for a physical medicine management company for injured workers. Over the years, her appeal to the psychosocial aspect of language and her volunteer work with CW prior to graduate school ignited her interest in communication disorders. Hasina has worked with the pediatric and adult populations with language disorders/delays, articulation and phonology disorders, developmental delays, learning disabilities, social-cognitive challenges, emotional regulation challenges and traumatic brain injuries. Hasina was born and raised in Houston, TX. She enjoys living in the SF Bay Area with her husband and two boxer dogs. When not working, Hasina enjoys spending time and traveling with her family, sports and fashion.
Susan Carlson, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: susan@cwtherapy.com
Susan received her Bachelor’s Degree from UC Berkeley in Art History and a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University of the East Bay. She has worked with preschoolers and school age children in the hospital and school settings for over 11 years, specializing in articulation and language disorders. Susan served as a clinical supervisor in the Speech and Language Clinic at Cal State, East Bay. Currently, she is a supervisor at CW working with Speech Pathology Assistants and with therapists completing their Clinical Fellowship Year. When not working, Susan enjoys painting, golfing, fly fishing and spending time with her family.
Jaclyn Chang, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: jaclyn@cwtherapy.com
Jaclyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, and her Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology and audiology at California State University, East Bay. She has worked with children of all ages, from preschool through high school, but her particular areas of interest are early intervention, preschool, and elementary school-aged children, and she enjoys working with a variety of children and their families. Jaclyn has extensive experience working with the early intervention population through in-home therapy, assessing preschool-aged children, and treating articulation/phonological disorders and expressive/receptive language delays and disorders in preschoolers through fifth graders. Jaclyn was born and raised in the East Bay, where she still resides with her husband. When not working, she enjoys a good cup of Peet’s coffee, trying out restaurants in the Bay Area, traveling, exercising, and spending time with her extended family.
Theresa Christiansen, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: Theresa@cwtherapy.com
Theresa graduated from California State University, Chico in 1991 with a Masters Degree in speech pathology and audiology. She began her career in Nurnberg, Germany at the Exceptional Family Member Clinic, specializing in the birth to five population of military family members with exceptional needs. Additionally she has worked in the hospital, school and private practice settings. Theresa has supervised Speech Pathology Assistants with CW since 2009 as well as maintained a caseload of students within the private schools of the Oakland Diocese. Her experience includes working with individuals with articulation, language, and auditory processing deficits, social deficits, developmental disabilities, oral motor deficits, and autism. When not working Theresa enjoys running, biking and spending time with her husband and three children.
Mary Fales, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: mary@cwtherapy.com
Mary received her Bachelor’s Degree at San Diego State University, and her master’s at California State University, East Bay, both in speech language pathology and audiology. She specializes in working with the deaf and hard of hearing population. Her interest in this population developed many years ago when she became involved with various types of individuals who were hard of hearing or deaf. She is skilled in sign language and knowledgeable in aural rehabilitation. Mary was born and raised in the Bay Area and enjoys the diversity of people here. In her free time, Mary enjoys being with family and friends, playing with her dog, and being outdoors.
Erica Gauuan, B.A., SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Email: erica.gauuan@cwtherapy.com
Erica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from California State University, Sacramento. Erica has worked with all ages from preschool to adults, but her particular area of interest is with adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. She currently works in the public school system and the private setting where she leads numerous social-learning groups. When not working, Erica enjoys spending time with her three children, weekend getaways, and running marathons for charities.
Jody Hamon, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: jody@cwtherapy.com
Jody is a native of the Bay Area who received her undergraduate degree in Child Development Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology from California State University, East Bay. For the past ten years, Jody has worked with children of all ages from preschool through middle school with a variety of speech and language disorders and cognitive profiles. Jody has most recently discovered her passion for working with children with moderate to severe disabilities. She enjoys the challenges and rewards that the career of speech and language pathology provides. In her free time, Jody enjoys spending time with her husband and son, stamping greeting cards and traveling whenever possible.
Regina Hawkins, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Email: regina@cwtherapy.com
Regina is a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist with 15 years of experience working with children and adults of all ages. For the past 12 years she has focused on early intervention, preschool, and elementary age students treating a variety speech and language disorders. She has vast experience and expertise in the area of Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC), social pragmatic disorders, articulation, phonology, language delays, auditory processing, fluency, oral motor, and developmental delays. She also supervises graduate student interns, SLPA’s and CFY’s. Regina received her Undergraduate Degree at the University of Toronto where she first learned about the Hanen program and is now certified in “It Takes Two to Talk”. She earned her Master’s Degree at Emerson College in Boston, MA. In her free time she enjoys traveling, yoga, mindfulness, and spending time with her two school aged children.
Marisela Isais, B.A., SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Email: marisela@cwtherapy.com
Marisela received her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, East Bay in Communicative Sciences and Disorders accompanied by a minor in Sociology. Currently, she is working as a bi-lingual Speech Language Pathology Assistant in the public schools serving students preschool to 5th grade. Marisela is a native Spanish speaker and is excited to deepen her knowledge in the areas of speech, language and social learning. Her professional focus is helping the Hispanic community by increasing their awareness of resources available to help strengthen their child’s speech, language and social skills. She grew up in the Bay Area in a Spanish speaking household with eight other siblings. She is the first in her family to receive a Bachelors degree and plans to continue on for her Master’s Degree. When not working, Marisela enjoys spending time with her family, shopping and enjoying the outdoors.
Wendy Kleven, M.A., CF
Clinical Fellow
Email: wendy@cwtherapy.com
Wendy received her Master’s Degree in speech-language pathology from California State University, East Bay. While at CSUEB, Wendy participated extensively with the College Link Program, provided through Student Disabilities Services, to help transition students diagnosed with Autism into college level curriculum. Wendy has worked with clients ranging in age from preschoolers to adults and has experience with autism spectrum disorders, special needs populations, and receptive/expressive language disorders. She has a background in Applied Behavior Analysis and has worked in Special Day Classes for several school districts. When not working, Wendy enjoys running, hiking, reading and trying new restaurants in the Bay Area.
Laurie Matte, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: laurie@cwtherapy.com
Laurie received her master’s degree from California State University, East Bay in Speech-Language Pathology. She has worked with both children and adults in multiple settings over the years, but has extensive experience working with developmentally delayed / disordered children with behavioral challenges. Approximately 75% of her current caseload is providing speech and language services for school-aged students with Autism. Laurie enjoys working for CW providing supervision for SLPAs working with developmentally delayed students. Laurie is a baseball and volleyball mom for two older children and treasures a hectic, happy life with her family. When time permits she loves reading crime mysteries and historical fiction.
Pat L. Pandolfi, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: pat@cwtherapy.com
Pat received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Master’s Degree from Emerson College in Boston, both in Speech-Language Pathology. Pat has worked in both hospital and school settings with children of all ages, and she is particularly interested in working with adolescents with language learning disabilities and social pragmatics challenges. Having also worked in the computer technology industry for a number of years, Pat brings a strong interest in the use of Assistive Technology to aid students with reading, writing, and learning challenges. She recently returned to California from New England, where she worked in private practice providing consultation services in Speech-Language Pathology and Assistive Technology to public and private schools. When not at work, Pat enjoys sampling the diverse cuisine and culture of the Bay Area with family and friends.
Jigna Patel, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Email: jigna@cwtherapy.com
Jigna received both her Bachelor’s Degree (1998) and Master’s Degree (2000) in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from California State University, East Bay. She has worked with children of all ages, from preschool through high school with a variety of speech-language disorders. She has worked with a variety of populations, including children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, head injury, etc. Her particular areas of interests include early intervention and preschool-aged children. Jigna became PROMPT trained in October 2011. She serves as a Supervisor, working with Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. In her spare time, Jigna enjoys cooking, dancing, reading, and spending time with her family.
Judy Ramos, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: judy@cwtherapy.com
Judy Ramos received her undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University, Hayward. She grew up in New York City and Puerto Rico where she began her interest in working with bilingual children and second language acquisition. Judy has had the privilege of working with families and their children in different cities throughout Alameda County. Her main areas of interest are in the assessment of bilingual learners, using appropriate evaluations of English Language Learners (ELL), and differentiating between language differences and language disorders in ELL children between the elementary and middle school ages. She also works as a supervisor with Speech Pathology Assistants and is a member of The Hispanic Causus (a related professional organization of ASHA) and a member of ASHA’s SIG Group 14. Outside of work, Judy enjoys reading, dining out, entertaining friends, the opera, the symphony, and traveling.
Jenny Ripley, M.S., CF
Clinical Fellow
Email: jenny@cwtherapy.com
Jenny received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Science and Neuroscience from the University of San Francisco and her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from San Francisco State University. While at San Francisco State, she participated in Project CLLASS (Collaborating for Language, Literacy and Augmentative Systems in Schools) where she received specialized training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Jenny has over five years of experience working as an ABA Lead Therapist and Program Supervisor with children with autism spectrum disorders ranging from eighteen months to nine years of age. Jenny is trained in It Takes Two to Talk-The Hanen Program and The Zones of Regulation. She currently works at a non-public school for children with autism. When not working, Jenny enjoys traveling, reading, eating, and spending time with her friends.
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Kari Schaiman, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: kari@cwtherapy.com
Kari received her undergraduate and Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from San Francisco State University. Kari has experience in public and private school settings with children from kindergarten to twelfth grade with a variety of speech and language disorders. She works with students with mild-moderate learning differences, many of whom are on the autism spectrum. She especially enjoys working with students with social learning challenges. When she is not working, Kari enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, traveling, and playing soccer.
Marilyn Schumacher, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
E-mail: marilyn@cwtherapy.com
Marilyn received her Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropological Linguistics from Sonoma State University and her Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Western Washington University. Marilyn has over 25 years of experience serving diverse populations from preschool through middle school ages as a Speech-Language Pathologist and a special education teacher in the public and private school sector. She has a strong interest in serving bilingual/bicultural students which originated from growing up in the Philippine Islands and studying in Mexico. She has extensive training in serving autism spectrum disorders, deaf and hard of hearing students as well as speech and language disorders related to specific learning disabilities. Marilyn has a love of working in the area of social/pragmatic language and self-regulation, regularly infusing her therapy with sensory motor integration tools such as Brain Gym, Zones of Regulation, Therapeutic Listening and more recently, BAL-A-VIS-X. She also enjoys collaborating on early literacy/phonological skill development, staff development training and supervision. During her spare time, Marilyn volunteers with therapeutic horseback riding and adaptive swim programs and spends her time out of doors.. She lives in Albany, CA with her husband and two cats. Her two young adult sons are in college.
Veronica Torres, B.S., SLPA
Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant
E-mail: veronica@cwtherapy.com
Veronica received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from California State University, East Bay and her SLPA license from Delta College. She has worked in the clinical, in-home, and school setting in ages ranging from preschool to the elderly. She thoroughly enjoys her experience of working with children on the autism spectrum with social cognitive deficits in speech and language as well as articulation therapy and working with aphasia patients and in home settings as a lead therapist in behavior intervention. She currently works as a bilingual therapist in the preschool setting in Northern California where she was born and raised. In her spare time, Veronica enjoys reading, sports, learning languages, eating, dancing, traveling, knitting and spending time with her family.
Corinne Vairora, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Email: corinne@cwtherapy.com
Corinne received her undergraduate degree at California State University, Northridge with a degree in Deaf Studies. She originally set out to be a teacher of the Deaf but found her passion in communicative disorders. She completed her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology at San Jose State University. She’s a Bay Area native and has an extensive background working with children with special needs. She is proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) and has worked in a number of school settings with children and families in preschool through 5th grade. When not working, Corinne enjoys traveling, snowboarding, waterskiing, and spending time with family and friends.