🌿 About Me

Welcome to Natural Speech! I’m delighted you’re here.

I’m a Speech‑Language Pathologist who believes in helping children—big and small—find their voice, build confidence, and thrive in communication. With a Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology from James Madison University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Longwood University, I bring over a decade of experience serving students aged 1–15 in school and clinical settings.

🌱 Why “Natural” Matters

At Natural Speech, I know that nature and the natural environment are vital to a child’s development—including speech. Whether we’re exploring the outdoors, listening to birds, or crafting sentences around a sunflower, I weave the environment into therapy to spark curiosity, joy, and real‑life language learning.

📚 Orton–Gillingham: The Gold Standard for Dyslexia

I am proudly Orton–Gillingham trained, using what’s widely called the “gold standard” for helping adolescents and children with dyslexia strengthen reading, writing, and spelling. This structured, multi‑sensory approach engages visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile pathways to help your child decode words and understand language with greater clarity .

With this powerful method, I design individualized lessons that meet each child where they are and guide them step-by-step toward stronger literacy skills and self‑confidence—a true foundation for lifelong learning.

✨ Areas I Specialize In

• Fluency (stuttering) – Helping speech flow smoothly while preserving your child’s unique voice.

   

• Articulation & Phonology – Turning tricky sounds like /r/ and /s/ into clarity and confidence.

   

• Language Development – Strengthening both expressive and receptive language skills from first words to complex conversations.

   

• Dyslexia & Reading Support – Using my Orton–Gillingham training to support decoding, writing, spelling, and comprehension.

   

• AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) – Guiding families in choosing and implementing communication tools that work best for their child.

   

👩‍⚕️ My Approach

Whether in-person or via teletherapy, my sessions are collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in evidence. I love working closely with caregivers, teachers, and specialists to build individualized plans that feel joyful, purposeful, and grounded in real life.

As a former teacher, I know how children learn—and how to make each session feel like a seamless part of your child’s world.

💬 What Parents Say

Families appreciate how I blend warmth and whimsy with structured, research-based methods. From playful outdoor exercises to serious skill work, I’m here to support your child’s communication journey—whether we’re mastering new sounds, tackling reading challenges, or learning to use an AAC system.

📍 Let’s Work Together

If you’re curious about whether speech therapy could support your child, let’s chat. Whether your little one is just forming their first words, your school-aged child is building fluency, or your adolescent is navigating dyslexia, I’m ready to help—with a dash of sunshine and a fresh-air approach.