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Our people...our strength! |
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A clinic is only as good as its people, and we are pleased to have assembled such a wonderful group of experienced, talented and energenic therapists. Since our founding, Skill Builders has taken exceptional pride in supporting our professional staff members' continuing educational development and access to the latest research materials. The commitment we share with our therapists enables them to provide your family the best care possible!
Click the names below to read more about the people that make Skill Builders such an outstanding clinic.
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Speech Language Pathologists
Director: Carolyn J. Syron, MS, CCC-SLP
Fern Andraos, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Jane M. Bomba, MS, CCC-SLP
Elizabeth Clark McKenzie, MS, CCC-SLP
Courtney Helsing Avila, MS, CCC-SLP
Jo Ann Jarnac, MS, CCC-SLP
Pamela Kugelman-Ryan, MS, CCC-SLP
Michael P. Lemieux, MS, CCC-SLP
Michelle Piper, MA, CCC-SLP
Melissa Plante, MA, CCC-SLP
Catherine Thompson, M.Ed, CCC-SLP
Mary Wittman, MS CCC-SLP
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Occupational Therapists
Director: Virginia Kane, MS, OTR/L
Lindsay Anderson, MS, OTR/L
Deborah A. L. Barbara, OTR/L
Bea Bruno, MS, OTR/L
Julie Carper, MS, OTR/L
Susan Clark, MS, OTR/L
Torrey Harris, OTR/L
Jennifer Laun, OTR/L
Judy T. McCallum, MS, OTR/L
Hafsa Rahman, OTR/L
Sarah Spicer, MOT, OTR/L
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| Speech Language Pathologists |
Cari Syron, MA CCC-SLP
Director of Speech-Language Pathology
Cari received her Bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from State University of New York at Geneseo, and received her Master’s degree at George Washington University. She has extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum as well as children with apraxia, down syndrome, oral motor dysfunction, auditory processing disorders, and general language and speech delay. She especially enjoys working with young children in a cotreatment model with occupational therapists.
Her experience working in the public schools as well as a private school for children with learning disabilities and emotional disturbance, has proved invaluable in helping the parents of her patients navigate the special education maze and obtain the most appropriate services available for their child. Mrs. Syron often attends IEP meetings, serving as an advocate for the children on her caseload.
Mrs. Syron has participated in many specific training programs including PROMPT, Beckman Oral Motor, Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson’s oral motor system, Verbal Behavior, Wilson Reading Program, Hanen, and Lindamood Bell's Visualizing and Verbalizing program. As a graduate student in speech pathology, she also acted as an ABA therapist for a 3-year-old boy with severe autism. In addition to providing the above therapy types, Mrs. Syron is also a Fast Forward provider, a member of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA) and the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia.
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Fern Andraos, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Fern received both her Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders and her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Virginia. During her undergraduate studies, she also attended Copenhagen University in Denmark where she completed the Children with Special Needs Program with particular focus on the Danish, Swedish and British education perspectives. While pursuing her Masters, Fern researched child language development and its relation to literacy in the UVA Preschool Language and Literacy Lab thereby gaining a strong knowledge of preschool language skills. She began her speech pathology career working in Fairfax County Public Schools and has an extensive understanding of the Virginia public school special education system and IEP process. She has experience in providing therapy to children with a variety of needs including intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, apraxia, fluency disorders, learning disabilities, and articulation and language disorders. She has also received specific training in many areas including American Sign Language, Hanen, PROMPT, Apraxia, Fluency, “Feeding the Whole Child: A Mealtime Approach,” “Motivating Children with Autism to Speak: Incorporating ABA Principles to Build Functional Communication,” Beckman Oral Motor, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).
Fern is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). She is licensed to practice speech-language therapy in the state of Virginia and in the District of Columbia.
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Jane M. Bomba, MS, CCC-SLP
Jane Bomba received her Bachelor's degree in communication disorders from The University of Wisconsin - Madison and received her Master's degree in
speech and hearing sciences at The University of North Carolina - Chapel
Hill. She has experience working with children who have motor speech
disorders, developmental disabilities, Autism Spectrum disorders, fluency
disorders, oral motor dysfunction, dysphagia and feeding difficulties, and
general language and speech delay. She enjoys working with children who use
low and high-tech augmentative communication systems.
Ms. Bomba has experience working in center-based facilities, as well as
early intervention programs in the northern Virginia area. Jane has
participated in many specific training programs including PECS Basic Training, PROMPT, PROMPT Bridging, Beckman Oral Motor, The
DIR-Floortime Model, The Affect-Based Language Curriculum, and feeding
disorders. Jane is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association
(ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia.
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Elizabeth Clark McKenzie, MS, CCC-SLP
Elizabeth received her Masters degree in Speech-Lanugage Pathology from Gallaudet University, after earning a Bachelors degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. While persuring her degree, Elizabeth gained experience in both private practice and medical settings focusing primarily on children ages birth to five. Elizabeth specializes in both early language development and feeding. She has experience with a variety of diagnoses including Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Autism, Down Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome,Tuberous Sclerosis, hearing impairment, oral motor dysfunction, and swallowing disorders. Elizabeth uses a holistic approach to working with children and has particpated various trainings including: the PROMPT method, the DIR-Floortime model, Applied Behavior Anaylysis, Beckman Oral Motor and The Affect-Based Language Cirriculum, as well as several feeding intervention approaches. Elizabeth is a member of ASHA and is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in Virginia.
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Courtney Helsing Avila, MS, CCC-SLP
Courtney received her Bachelors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a double major in Psychology, at James Madison University, and received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders at the Pennsylvania State University- University Park. In addition to her part time work at Skill Builders, LLC, she is currently employed full time at an elementary school for the Fairfax County Public School system. Courtney has worked with a variety of communication impairments including: expressive/receptive language, language/auditory processing, apraxia, phonological disorders, fluency issues, voice disorders, and pragmatic language disorders. She is also well versed in working with the various communication deficits resulting from Fragile X, autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and hearing impairment. Courtney’s research into the relationship between literacy and communication disorders enables her to provide a special emphasis on phonological awareness intervention and oral and written communication. She has received specific training in many areas including ABA, AAC, communication needs for the severely disabled, fluency, social skills training, dysphagia, language and literacy, and preschool language delays.
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Jo Ann Jarnac, MS CCC-SLP
Jo Ann Jarnac received her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology from Whittier College and her Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University. Her experience includes working in public schools and a non-profit private school for children with special needs, providing early intervention therapy in home and center based settings, and as an instructor in a Speech Language Pathology Assistant program.
Jo Ann has experience with child language disorders, phonological disorders, fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, pragmatic deficits, children with developmental delays, and physical disabilities. She specializes in phonological awareness, apraxia, autism, early literacy, early intervention, and preschool language development.
Jo Ann has specific training in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), SCERTS, TEACCH, Links to Language, PROMPT, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (Strand, Kaufman), pragmatics, preschool language development, and Hodson Phonology Cycles Approach. Jo Ann is an active member in the American Speech Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the states of Virginia & California.
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Pamela Kugelman-Ryan, MS Ed. CCC-SLP
Pam is originally from the Hudson Valley area in New York. She received her Bachelors degree in Speech Language Pathology at the State University of New York New Paltz and received her Masters degree in Communication Disorders at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. Pam began her career at a private school in New York that specialized in educating students with special needs, primarily autism spectrum disorders. She then began working in her hometown school district servicing children with a variety of speech and language disorders including stuttering, Down syndrome, autism, auditory processing, articulation, language, and mental retardation. In addition to working part time for Communication Connections and working towards an administrative degree at a local college, Pam is currently a full time employee of the Fairfax County Public School System. She has received specialty training in many areas including PROMPT and ABA and is an Interactive Metronome certified provider. Pam recently recieved an Endorsement in Education Administration.
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Michael P. Lemieux, MS CCC-SLP
Michael is originally from northern New England. He received his Bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology from George Mason University. He worked in a variety of adult rehabilitation programs in Fairfax County and New Hampshire, before spending 8 years working in early intervention and early childhood education programs. He received his Master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire and later a Master’s Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Antioch College New England. He worked in rural New Hampshire and Vermont schools for 7 years and at a private Floortime-based practice in Bethesda, MD for 3 years. He has extensive experience working with children on the autism spectrum as well as children with apraxia, oral motor dysfunction, sensory-motor and behavioral pediactric feeding issues, auditory processing disorders, fluency, and general language and speech delay. He also has experience with augmentative and alternative communication systems and in developing social stories, power cards and job cards. He especially enjoys working with young children in a co-treatment model with occupational therapists and facilitating social groups. Michael often attends IEP meetings, serving as an advocate for the children on his caseload.
Michael has participated in many specific training programs including Therapeutic Listening; Picky Eaters and Problem Feeders: The SOS Approach to Feeding; Feeding the Whole Child; Craniosacral Therapy I; PROMPT; Beckman Oral Motor; Boshart Oral Motor; Sara-Rosenfeld Johnson Oral Motor; MORE Oral Motor; Strand Oral Motor; Greenspan’s Floortime and Affect Based Language Curriculum; Levine’s School’s Attuned; Prizant’s SCERTS; Hanen Program; Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS); Hodgdon Visual Strategies; Lindamood-Bell Phoneme Sequencing Program (LIPs) and Visualizing & Verbalizing (V&V) Program; Hodson Phonology Cycles Approach; and Narrative Development. He is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the states of Virginia, Maryland, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
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Michelle Piper, MA, CCC-SLP
Check back soon for Michelle's bio!
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Melissa Plante , MS, CCC-SLP
Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University in Psychology and her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University. She has experience in providing therapy to children with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental disabilities, general speech and language delays, apraxia, etc. and has also worked to develop AAC devices and programs for those children who needed it. Melissa has also provided treatment in a variety of settings including home, school, and private practice. She also has experience collaborating with occupational therapists and implementing sensory integration techniques. Melissa is trained in DIR-Floortime, PROMPT, Lindamood Bell's Visualizing & Verbalizing program,Affect-Based-Language-Curriculum (ABLC), and American Sign Language and is licensed to practice speech therapy in the state of Virginia.
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Catherine Thompson, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Catherine received a bachelor of science degree in Communication & Science Disorders from Syracuse University. While getting her undergraduate degree she worked with the Syracuse Public School systems on reading development programs for special needs students. Catherine received her Masters of Education from the University of Virginia. At UVA she worked with a wide variety of clients and in various settings including an adult traumatic brain injury clinic, a rehabilition hospital serving stroke patients , a voice clinic specializing in the accent modification method and at Martha Jefferson Hospital performing/observing barium swallows. She interned at Washington DC Childrens Hospital where she was part of a feeding assessment team and also worked with children needing cochlear implants.
Catherine currently works for Fairfax County Public Schools and has in depth knowledge of the re-evaluation, eligibility and IEP process and identifying students with needs. Catherine also has worked in the Boston, MA area where she was the director of the speech and language department at a residential school for students with severe emotional and social disorders. There, she trained teachers and staff in speech and langauge disorders and how they affect academics & participation in the classroom. She also helped develop curriculum targeting the area of social skills.
Catherine has worked with a wide variety of clients both in age and disability. She is trained in Prompt, theraputic crisis intervention, sign language and has experience with assisitive technology.
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Mary Wittman, MS, CCC-SLP
Check back soon for Mary's bio!
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| Occupational Therapists |
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Virginia Kane, MS, OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy
Virginia Kane (Gina) is the director of OT services at Skill Builders and the former owner of the Skill Builders occupational therapy program. She has been a pediatric occupational therapist since 1983, when she graduated from VCU/MCV with a Master's Degree in OT. Gina's early work experience included school system therapy and work in Children's Hospital in Richmond, VA. She has been an occupational therapist at
Skill Builders since 1987, where she enjoys seeing children of all ages. In addition to
training in sensory integration and handwriting techniques, Gina's interests include
cranio-sacral therapy and yoga/yoga therapy.
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Lindsay Anderson, MS OTR/L
Lindsay is originally from Cleveland, OH. She received her Masters of Science degree in occupational therapy from Duquesne University located in Pittsburgh, PA. Lindsay previously worked at in a private school setting for children with learning disabilities and has experience and training in variety of areas including: learning disabilities, AD/HD, autism, developmental delays, fine/gross motor difficulties, executive function, sensory processing difficulties, and others. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, The Handwriting Without Tears Program, Therapeutic Listening, and is in the process of becoming certified in administering The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. Lindsay has received continuing education credits related to sensory integration therapy, NDT (Neurodevelopmental training), executive functioning, ocular motor skills, and handwriting skills using a multi-sensory approach.
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Deborah A. L. Barbara, OTR/L
Deb Barbara came to Skill Builders as a staff therapist in 1996. She is a native of New Jersey and graduated from Boston University with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Over more than 25 years, Deb has developed a strong interest in sensory integration theory and has been certified in the administration of The Southern California Sensory Integration Test and The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. She is also an Interactive Metronome certified provider. Deb's diverse background in sensory integration with neruodevelopmental treatment techniques(NDT), motor learning and psycho-social development form the foundation of her ecclectic treatment approaches.
Deb has experience with children of all ages up through high-school, including early intervention programs for newborns through three years. In New Jersey and Chicago, Deb worked in public and private school programs, inpatient and out patient hospital settings, as well as home based programs and private practice. Her experience encompasses a wide variety of disabilities including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, pervasive developmental disorder, learning disability as well as apraxia and sensory processing disorders. Family centered services are a particular area of interest for Deb. She is a strong advocate of the team approach where the parents are the team leaders and all who are involved with the child's care are included.
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Bea Bruno, MS, OTR/L
Bea's hometown is Buffalo, NY. She received her Masters of Science degree in occupational therapy from Duquesne University located in Pittsburgh, PA. As a part time job while in school, Bea implemented ABA therapies to children with autism in their home. She completed her fieldwork placements in Pittsburgh which included working in an outpatient center for the Children's Hospital. After graduation, she worked in the Baltimore City School District for summer school as a school based occupational therapist and then for the Loudoun County School District. While working for the schools, she implemented therapy services in two full day preschool autism classrooms as well as maintained a caseload which included preschool to middle school age groups. After working for the schools, she shifted to work in the private setting so that she could make a greater impact on children with a variety of disabilities. She has experience working with children who have autism, seizure disorders, visual impairments, Down Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Sensory Processing difficulties, hemiplegia, brachial plexus injuries, and others. She currently is the assistant director of occupational therapy and scheduling coordinator at Skill Builders, LLC. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, The Handwriting Without Tears Program, PECS, and has received continuing education credits related to sensory integration therapy, visual perception and NDT (Neurodevelopmental training).
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Julie Carper, MS OTR/L
Julie received her Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Virginia Tech in 1993 and her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University in 1996. Julie worked full time for four years in the Fairfax County School system as an itinerant occupational therapist. Her experience in the public schools included working with children presenting with autism, learning disabilities, and moderate/severe physical disabilities. Julie began working part time at Skill Builders in 1997 and has gained valuable experience working with children with autism spectrum and sensory integration disorders. Julie has completed a wide variety of continuing education courses, including the areas of autism, sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD and vestibular processing deficits. In addition, Julie has coordinated and led several summer handwriting clinics utilizing the First Strokes Multi-Sensory Handwriting Program.
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Susan Clark, MS OTR/L
Susan received her bachelors degree in psychology from Wake Forest University in 1996 and her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1998. She spent the early part of her career working with adults recovering from strokes, hip/knee replacement surgery and other illnesses including Multiple Sclerosis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Her true passion was with children, however, and is thrilled to now be a member of the Skill Builders staff. She has treated children with a variety of diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome, fine motor delay, ADHD, apraxia and sensory processing disorder. Susan has completed continuing education courses in sensory integration, Brain Gym, and is certified in the Handwriting without Tears protocol. She attended the AOTA specialty conference on Autism to learn about ways occupational therapists are furthering research into the sensory needs of children on the Autism spectrum. Susan loves to work with children of all ages to help them reach their fullest potential.
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Torrey Harris, OTR/L
Torrey grew up in Northern Virginia and received her Bachelors degree in Occupational Therapy from James Madison University. She has worked in the public school system and interned at Children’s Hospital. Torrey has a variety of experiences working with children with various disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental delay, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, mental retardation, apraxia, fine motor weakness, gross motor difficulties, and visual perceptual issues. Torrey enjoys working alongside speech therapists in a co-treatment model. She also loves administering sensory-motor and social-sensory pediatric groups. Torrey has received training in the Alert Program: “How does your Engine Run?,” (a behavioral approach to sensory needs) and the Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol. She has also attended several continuing education programs in the areas of autism, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), motor planning, sensory- motor integration and handwriting.
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Jennifer Laun, OTR/L
Jennifer was raised in Northern Virginia and graduated from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Previously, she worked in a number of private schools for children with special needs and private clinics in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. She has been happily employed at Skill Builders since 2007. Jennifer has treated children with a variety of diagnoses, including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder/ attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, dyspraxia, Down syndrome and fine motor delay. She is certified in Interactive Metronome, Therapeutic Listening, and the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol. Jennifer’s experience working in schools has provided her with a better understanding of both the expectations for children in the classroom today and how occupational therapy can facilitate improved success in school.
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Judy T. McCallum, MS, OTR/L
Judy received her Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation from West Virginia University and her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1988. Judy has worked part time for Skill Builders since 1995. She has been a full time employee of the Fairfax County Public School System since 1990 where she works with students from preschool through high school. Judy has experience working with a variety of diagnoses, including learning disabilities, Down Syndrome, pervasive developmental delay, cerebral palsy, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, dyspraxia, and fine motor delay. She has completed continuing education courses in Therapeutic Listening, the Alert program, Handwriting without Tears program, sensory integration, Brain Gym, and assistive technology.
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Hafsa Rahman OTR/L
Hafsa is originally from Bangladesh. She received her Bachelors degree
in Biology from Hood College, Maryland and her Masters degree from
University of Puget Sound, Washington. She has been an occupational
therapist since 2000. Hafsa has experience working with adults in
a rehabilitaiton setting as well as with children in school and clinic
setting. She is currently a part time employee at Skill Builders and
full time employee at Falls Church City Public Schools. Hafsa has
experience and training in several areas including sensory processing, autism,
developmental delay, learning disabilities, ADHD, cerebral palsy,
and mental retardation. She is an Interactive Metronome certified provider. Hafsa enjoys working with children and is a
recepient of the 2007 Educational Leadership Award from the Arc of
Northern Virginia for her work with the children at Falls Church City Public
Schools.
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Sarah Spicer, MOT, OTR/L
Sarah is currently a full time Occupational Therapist for Skill
Builders, LLC. She received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy
from West Virginia University. She has had experience working with
children of all ages in a variety of settings with various diagnoses
including; Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Developmental
Disabilities, ADHD, fine motor delays, Cerebral Palsy, etc. She is
certified in Interactive Metronome and The Handwriting Without Tears
Program and has received continuing education credits related to
sensory integration. Sarah enjoys working with children during
individual treatment sessions as well as co-treatment sessions with
speech therapists. Sarah loves working with children and involving
them in fun, creative treatment activities to lead them to their
highest potential in their day to day activities.
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