Michelle Meltzer is a licensed speech-language pathologist and the owner of Chicago Speech and Reading Center. She is extremely passionate and dedicated to making a difference in children’s lives. Over the years, Michelle has gained a variety of experiences in preschool, elementary school, Jr. high school and private practice settings with children ranging from birth to 18 years of age.Prior to opening CSRC, Michelle worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist at Elizabeth Meyer School in Skokie, IL, where she evaluated and treated preschool and kindergarten students, developed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and participated as part of the Special Education Team. Michelle also worked at the La Grange Area Department of Special Education in the Early Childhood Education and the Phonological Programs.

Throughout her experiences, Michelle has developed special interests in articulation and phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech and early literacy instruction. Michelle is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and has many years of experience working with children diagnosed with reading disorders, such as dyslexia. She is also trained in the PROMPT method for childhood apraxia of speech and continually pursues opportunities to expand her knowledge of other new and developing therapeutic techniques.

Michelle received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University.

Erin Brown has a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Memphis and has experience with school-aged children ages 3-21 in both school-based and out-patient settings. She spent the first six years of her career in Chicago Public Schools working with students with a variety of communication needs. She has experience working with children with articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, fluency impairments, and complex communication needs related to Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and other diagnoses that impact communication. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and enjoys incorporating literacy and reading into all her sessions. She is passionate about supporting children’s right to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, and ideas in all settings with all their communication partners.

Jessica Campbell is a licensed speech-language pathologist with a love for assisting children of all ages with their speech and language needs. She is a Chicago native who graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Truman State University.During her graduate studies, she gained experience working with children with a variety of speech and language difficulties such as articulation, language, pragmatics and voice disorders. She also implemented AAC and feeding therapy. Jessica provided services for children as young as 18 months old through Missouri’s Early Intervention Program, First Steps. Additionally, she provided bilingual language services, hearing screenings and facilitated the teaching of low-tech augmentative and alternative communication for children in orphanages and public schools in Mexico while in graduate school.

Following graduation, Jessica worked in a public school district, servicing students with Individualized Education Plans. She collaborated with other professionals on a special education team for students with autism spectrum disorder, articulation/phonology deficits, childhood apraxia of speech, fluency deficits and expressive/receptive language delays.

Jessica is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading instruction.

Chelsea Clements is a graduate of the Speech-Language Pathology program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. As a native of the Northern Illinois area, she decided to relocate back to the city of Chicago to begin her professional career as a Speech-Language Pathologist within the pediatric setting. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she had the opportunity to assist clients with a variety of communication disorders ranging in age from early intervention to adults.Chelsea is very enthusiastic and has a strong desire for furthering her clinical experience and knowledge within this profession. She has had a variety of very successful pediatric experiences including a placement at Southbury Elementary School in Oswego, Illinois and positions at Liberty Elementary School and Hampshire High School in Algonquin, IL, working with elementary and high school age children. Through these experiences, she began developing a passion for the pediatric population and helping children improve communication through a variety of strategies.

In addition, Chelsea also spent time at the OSF St. Paul Medical Center providing services to infants, children, and adolescents. These children were experiencing developmental or behavioral difficulties and had received diagnoses such as feeding issues, C.H.A.R.G.E. syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.

Chelsea is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and enjoys working with children who have been diagnosed with dyslexia and other reading disorders.

Laura Coan is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist who enjoys working with children and empowering them to communicate. She grew up in Minnesota and received her Bachelors degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Once moving to Chicago, Laura attended the Erikson Institute receiving a Masters in Child Development, followed by her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from Northwestern University. Prior to beginning at CSRC, Laura worked in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for over 12 years treating children preschool to 8th grade with a variety of speech and language disorders including receptive and expressive language impairment, learning disability, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, articulation disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also conducted many speech/language evaluations of students, developed and implemented Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and worked collaboratively with other clinicians, teachers, and parents. She specializes in working with children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and holds a Graduate Certificate in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Listening and Spoken Language from Illinois State University. Working within the schools has provided Laura extensive knowledge with learning and reading difficulties that are related to speech and language issues, and has increased her passion for pre-literacy and literacy skills. Laura is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction. Along with working at CSRC, Laura is an adjunct at Olivet Nazarene University within their undergraduate Child Development program.

Erin Connolly earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University in Detroit. She has experience working with adults and children of all ages in out-patient and school settings. Currently, in addition to working for CSRC, Erin has the privilege of working with children ages 3-5 at a preschool in the Chicago suburbs. Here, she evaluates and implements thoughtful treatment dedicated to every student’s individual needs while collaborating with teachers and other special education professionals. She has gained valuable experience in many areas of communication including language disorders, Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), and articulation/phonological disorders. She works closely with children with a wide range of communication needs including those on the Autism spectrum. Erin is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and is passionate about helping children gain confidence in their literacy skills . Erin’s focus is on making reading fun and helping children to view reading as a fun and enjoyable experience!

Veronica Fox is a licensed speech-language pathologist with extensive training in culturally responsive education, literacy, and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). She is passionate about helping children achieve their full potential.

She is originally from Connecticut but has spent most of her life in Kansas. Veronica graduated from the University of Kansas with Bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics and Speech-Language-Hearing. She obtained her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Kansas and was a graduate student scholar of the Culturally Responsive Early Literacy Instruction (CRELI): American Indian/ Alaska Native grant, a 5-year personnel preparation grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education: Office of Special Education Programs. Veronica is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a certificate of Clinical Competence.

Veronica has worked with the pediatric population in both private practice and school settings. She has gained experience evaluating and treating a range of disorders including: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), speech sound/articulation disorders, fluency disorders, receptive-expressive language disorders, Autism-related language disorders, selective mutism, reading and writing disorders, Down syndrome-related speech and language disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Veronica also has experience working with individuals with Complex Communication Needs (CCN).

She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading Instruction and strives to be a life-long learner by continuing to increase her knowledge of evidence-based practices.

Kaitlyn Gallagher is a licensed speech-language pathologist who aspires to assist her clients in achieving their communication goals by creating an inclusive and encouraging environment that is full of interaction and positive energy. Kaitlyn specializes in supporting children with speech, language, and communication challenges in a way that’s engaging, nurturing, and neuroaffirming. She also strives to build strong partnerships with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure each child receives the holistic support they need.

Originally from Georgia, Kaitlyn received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia. After graduation, Kaitlyn completed her clinical fellowship year in the pediatric private practice setting in South Carolina. Across her clinical and work experiences, she gained knowledge in evaluating and treating a wide variety of communication disorders including articulation/phonological processing, receptive/expressive language, fluency, voice, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders.

Kaitlyn possesses a certificate in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies from the University of Georgia. She also has specialized training in the SPEAK OUT! and LOUD Crowd programs by the Parkinson Voice Project, Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction. She is also a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and maintains a Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Anna Haugen is a licensed speech-language pathologist who is passionate about working with children and their families through their communication journeys. Originally from central Illinois, Anna graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders and from the University of Missouri with a Master of Health Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. After graduation, Anna moved to Chicago and began working with students in Chicago Public Schools. In addition to the school setting, Anna has clinical experience in pediatric outpatient clinics, inpatient hospital settings, and rehabilitation hospital settings. Anna’s areas of expertise include evaluating and treating articulation and phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, fluency disorders, and pragmatic language disorders. Anna is committed to providing individualized and evidenced-based practice to children and their families.

Molly Hoferle is a licensed speech-language pathologist who is dedicated to supporting clients with their speech and language skills in order to promote independence. Molly is originally from southern Wisconsin and obtained her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Molly then moved to St. Louis and completed her Master’s degree at Saint Louis University. She ended up in Chicago after graduation to work as an SLP in the therapeutic day school setting.

Molly has served clients in the school setting, outpatient setting and medical setting. Through her educational and clinical experience, Molly has experience evaluating and treating children and adults with a range of speech and language needs, including: articulation/phonological disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, traumatic brain injuries, developmental delays, learning disabilities, social communication disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In addition to CSRC, Molly also works as an SLP in the therapeutic day school setting serving students with complex communication needs. In this setting, Molly is highly skilled with the implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for students with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and behavioral needs. This includes providing training and collaborating with caregivers to generalize skills to the home environment. Molly is passionate about expanding her clinical knowledge in order to best serve her clients. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction.

Lauren Kastan is a licensed speech-language pathologist who prides herself on her creativity, patience, and compassion when working with children. She is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and maintains a Certificate of Clinical Competence. Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University.Lauren’s clinical experience includes work in a private practice as well as outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation in the medical setting. She has experience evaluating and treating a range of disorders including: Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), phonological and articulation disorders, language delays and disorders, Dyslexia, fluency disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and pragmatic language disorder.

Lauren has training in the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction and the PROMPT method for CAS.

Lauren is passionate about treating the child as a whole by individualizing treatment plans, acknowledging a child’s interests and strengths, building confidence, and making treatment engaging and fun! She also believes in taking a collaborative approach to treatment and loves working together with parents and other professionals to best support and facilitate progress.

Caroline Konstant is a licensed speech-language pathologist who is passionate about helping children find their voice and thrive through communication. She believes in building strong, trusting relationships with her clients and their families to create a supportive and engaging therapy environment. Originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Caroline earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and completed her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Saint Xavier University. Caroline has extensive experience working with children from birth through age 13 in both clinical and school settings. Her areas of expertise include articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language delays, and social/pragmatic communication. She also has a strong background in supporting children with complex communication needs, including those who benefit from augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. In addition to her work at CSRC, Caroline serves pediatric clients in the public school system. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Caroline is committed to individualized, evidence-based therapy that empowers children to communicate confidently and effectively. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction.

Mariah Loya is a licensed speech-language pathologist whose passion lies in assisting and empowering individuals in their communication journeys. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Mariah ventured to St. Louis, Missouri to pursue her education at Maryville University. During her time there, she not only earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders but also played four years on the women’s soccer team. Following her undergraduate journey, Mariah continued her academic pursuit at Saint Louis University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. After spending six years in St. Louis, she decided to relocate to Chicago to start on her professional career as a speech-language pathologist.

Her clinical experiences have encompassed elementary schools, private clinics, and medical settings. In these settings, Mariah has evaluated and treated individuals with speech and language difficulties such as articulation, language, fluency and voice disorders. Mariah is deeply committed to furthering her clinical experience and practicing evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming approaches. In addition to her role at CSRC, Mariah serves as an SLP for Chicago Public Schools. Mariah is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction.

Ciara McGlynn is a licensed speech-language pathologist who graduated from The Ohio State University’s Speech and Hearing Sciences undergraduate program and later earned her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Baldwin Wallace University. Throughout her educational and clinical experiences, Ciara has worked with pediatric and adult clients with a wide range of communication needs, including articulation/phonology disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders, fluency disorders, apraxia of speech, developmental delays, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ciara is especially passionate about working with multilingual/multicultural communicators, and has spent the majority of her career working in dual language schools with bilingual students in Italy, Spain, Cleveland, OH and now in Chicago! She strives to facilitate engaging therapy sessions and prides herself in being patient and flexible to create an environment where clients are comfortable and confident. Ciara is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) with a Certificate of Clinical Competence. She holds an Illinois State License, a Professional Educators License, and is also certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and SPEAK OUT!® Parkinson’s program.

Samantha Schultz is a licensed speech-language pathologist dedicated to helping children discover their unique way of communicating. Originally from New Jersey, she now practices in Chicago. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida and a Master’s Degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University. Samantha’s sessions are tailored to ensure a holistic and collaborative approach to each child’s needs.

With experience in both private practice and schools, Samantha has worked extensively with pediatric populations. She is skilled in supporting children with receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, neurodiversity, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), social communication disorders, and more. She is trained in using Augmented and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Samantha is also passionate about helping families navigate feeding disorders, including challenges related to introducing solid foods.

Samantha holds an Early Intervention License and is trained in the PROMPT method for CAS. She is also trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction.

Claire Stein is a licensed speech-language pathologist with a passion for empowering children and families through speech, language, and communication skills. Claire grew up in the Chicagoland area and received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Moody Bible Institute in the Near North neighborhood of Chicago. She went on to complete her Master’s of Education in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Claire’s interest in speech pathology grew during her undergraduate years while she learned the intricacies of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), pursued her personal desire to learn the Hindi language, and volunteered part-time as an ESL tutor for women and children from Chicago’s South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. While completing her Master’s degree, Claire gained experience treating a variety of pediatric speech, language, feeding, and reading disorders through university clinics, stuttering programs, and Middle School settings. She also gained proficiency treating cognitive-communication, aphasia, and swallowing impairments in the adult and geriatric populations through TBI waiver programs and skilled nursing settings. Over the course of her academic and clinical journey, Claire developed a passion for promoting articulation, phonological, and literacy skills while educating and empowering family members as active participants in the communication process. Claire is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Instruction.