SPEECH THERAPY Defined
Speech-language Pathologists are professionals who evaluate, diagnose and treat various communication, cognitive (i.e, memory, thinking, problem solving), and swallowing disorders. Impairments in these areas may be a result of a child’s inability to obtain these skills naturally or the result of an illness or injury acquired at any stage of life (birth trauma, stroke, or neurological disease). Our staff utilizes a variety of techniques and treatment approaches to help our clients gain skills to communicate functionally, complete skills for day to day living and maintain safe and adequate oral nutrition. Treatment sessions are typically one on one ranging from 30-60 minutes 1-3 times a week depending on the client’s needs. Sessions are goal directed, but play based to keep clients motivated and engaged. SLPs provide caregiver education and home programs for carryover of targeted skills in functional environments. We collaborate with other disciplines and health care professionals to provide comprehensive care for the client.
Signs SPEECH THERAPY may be needed
Language:
birth-3 months: not smiling or playing with others
4-7 months: not babbling
7-12 months: making only a few sounds; not using gestures (waving, pointing, etc)
7 months-2years: not understanding what others say
12-18 months: saying only a few words
2 years: saying fewer than 50 words
1 ½-2 years: not putting two words together
2-3 years: having trouble playing and talking with other children
2 ½-3 years: having problems with early reading and writing (doesn’t like to draw or look at books)
Speech:
1-2 years: not saying p, b, m, h, and w the right way in words most of the time
2-3 years: not saying k, g, f, t, d, and n the right way in words most of the time; being hard to understand, even to people who know the child well.
Fluency:
2-½ - 3 years:
having a lot of trouble saying sounds or words
repeating the first sounds of words, like “b-b-b-ball” for “ball”
pausing a lot while talking
stretching sounds out, like “ffffffarm” for “farm”
Hearing Loss:
birth-1 year: not paying attention to sounds
7 months-1 year: not responding to name
1-2 years: not following simple directions
birth-3 years: having speech and language delays
Our therapists provide skilled treatment for the following areas:
• Apraxia
• Auditory comprehension
• Augmentative / alternative communication
• Cleft lips or cleft palates
• Cognition
• Hearing impairments
• Memory
• Non-verbal communication
• Oral motor weakness/incoordination
• Reading comprehension
• Receptive and expressive language
• Sign language
• Social skills
• Speech intelligibility
• Stuttering
• Swallowing
• Voice disorders
Meet our Speech-Language Pathologists
Kathy Alexander
Kathy Alexander joined the speech language pathology department of CSTC in July of 2018. She has a combination of Michigan public school speech pathology experience as well as university clinic supervisory experience. Kathy has worked primarily with elementary and preschool aged children who have articulation and language difficulties. In her spare time Kathy enjoys reading, sailing and volunteer work.
Rachel Flynn
Rachel Flynn has been a Speech Language Pathologist for 9 years and began working at Comprehensive Speech and Therapy Center in January 2019. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2010 earning her Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology. Rachel has treated both adults and children working in hospitals, skilled nursing, home health and outpatient clinics. She has received training in DIR FloorTime, pediatric feeding and swallowing, and is certified in VitalStim and Myofascial Release and other Manual Techniques in Dysphagia Management. Rachel's special interests include pediatric feeding and swallowing, working with children who have autism spectrum disorder and adult dysphagia. Rachel's interest outside of work include playing roller derby, working out and spending time with her boyfriend, pets and family.
Scott Thorbjornsen
Scott Thorbjornsen earned his Bachelor's Degree in Allied Health Sciences at Grand Valley State University, with an emphasis in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He earned his Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Western Michigan University in 2019. Scott has experience with children and adults in the areas of apraxia, cognition, aphasia, voice, articulation, language, and AAC. In his free time, Scott enjoys reading, hiking, and seeing the latest movies.
Marissa Swanson
Marissa Swanson, MA, CCC-SLP, BCaBA received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University after completing double majors in speech-language pathology and behavioral science. Marissa also earned her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Western Michigan University. Marissa enjoys working with individuals with a variety of communication disorders. Areas of professional and clinical interest include autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, AAC, early intervention, and interprofessional collaboration. Marissa was a trainee in the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MI-LEND) interdisciplinary training program. Outside work, Marissa enjoys crafting and home projects, playing euchre, hiking, and spending time with her family.
SARAH KILLINGER
Sarah J. Killinger, M.A., CCC-SLP/BCBA is a dual-certified therapist in the field of Speech-Language Pathology and Behavior Analysis. She graduated from the University of Michigan with her bachelor’s degree in Linguistics (the study of language) from the University of Michigan in 2002. In 2008, she received her degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern Michigan University. In 2019, she earned her degree in Behavior Analysis from Ball State University with an emphasis in services for people with Autism. Currently, she works as the Director of the Autism Program and assists in the organization of the ABA program. She serves as the VP for Public Relations for the Michigan Speech-Language Hearing Association (MSHA). She encourages everyone to follow CSTC and MSHA on social media!
Amanda Hopkins
Amanda Hopkins, M.S. CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT is a Speech-Language Pathologist and certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist Auditory Verbal Therapist. Amanda received her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and graduate degree from Gallaudet University. She has worked in the schools as well as in private practice and specializes in working with both children with hearing loss and adults with new cochlear implants. She has presented at the local, state, and national levels for professionals and families with children with hearing loss. Her other clinical interests include literacy development, dyslexia, and executive functioning. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, tending her chickens, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
Katie Ciustino
Katie Giustino MA, CFY-SLP graduated and earned both her bachelor of science in speech pathology and audiology (2022) and master of arts in speech language pathology (2024) from Western Michigan University. Her clinical and professional interests include hearing loss/aural rehabilitation, language development, accessibility, research, and interprofessional collaboration. Katie was a 2023-24 long term trainee in the Michigan Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (MI-LEND) program. Outside work, Katie enjoys crafting, spending time with her dog and husband, and being outside.
Emma Maxwell
Emma Maxwell MA, CFY-SLP graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University in 2021. She earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University in 2024. She enjoys working with individuals with a variety of communication disorders. Areas of interest include early intervention, articulation, language, and autism spectrum disorder. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiance, playing with her cats, reading, and baking/cooking.
