Speech, Language, & Occupational Therapy
The
Speech
Spot
About The Speech Spot
Front Entrance
About The Spot:
The Speech Spot is a private speech and language practice dedicated to serving the needs of its clients and families. We strive to provide each family with the individualized attention that is sometimes lacking with larger clinic models and practices. We provide flexible after school hours as well as some weekend availability to meet the needs of active families. We have dedicated therapy rooms and the resources to specifically target a variety of speech and language needs.
The Speech Spot specializes in services for children in birth through high school. However, please call to discuss your child's needs to determine if we are able to provide services.
We accept private paying clients and help families navigate the insurance reimbursement process as we are out-of-network with all insurance panels at this time. Often times Flex Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts can be used towards to cost of speech/language therapy. Call us to inquire more about how we can help you contact your provider for reimbursement.
After six years of growth, The Speech Spot has once again expanded to a multi-office therapy center in the heart of downtown Kirkwood, MO to better serve our families . We are located in the 112 W. Jefferson Ave. building in the midst of all the shops, restaurants and family entertainment Kirkwood has to offer!
You are @ the SPOT!
Why The Spot?:
The Speech Spot provides individual, goal orientated speech and language sessions for your child. Sessions are thoughtfully planned out with your child's needs in mind. The Speech Spot is designed to service families looking for a primary speech therapist and for those looking to supplement existing school services. We will see students who attend public school, private schools, or who are homeschooled. Please call to discuss your child's needs and schedule an initial consultation.
The Speech Spot also provides early childhood intervention for the birth-3 population. We understand and support the early intervention model and have seen first hand that with a little help our littlest friends can make great strides in their growth and development that will provide them with the foundational skills for a lifetime of learning.
STAFF
Owner/ Speech Therapist
Experience:
Elizabeth is the co-owner of The Speech Spot and has thirteen years experience in the speech and language field in a variety of settings. She specializes in working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, articulation and speech impairments, phonological disorders, apraxia, and language processing impairments. Elizabeth has a particular passion for speech articulation disorders and language disorders. She enjoys developing rapport beyond the therapy setting and making her clients and families feel at ease with the process of therapy.
Background & Education:
-
Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Rockhurst University
-
Bachelor of science in Speech-Language Hearing Disorders from the University of Kansas.
Licenses/Certifications:
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
-
Hanen- It Takes Two To Talk Certified
-
ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained clinician
Additional information:
-
Presenter on Executive Function Skills and Strategies for Therapists and Teachers
-
Social Thinking Conference (Michelle Garcia Winner) Attendee
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association ACE award
Experience:
Kate is the co-owner of The Speech Spot and has thirteen years of experience in the speech and language field. She brings experience from the private practice setting and Saint Louis Children's Hospital to The Speech Spot. She has experience treating Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, hearing impairment, cleft palate, articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language deficits, tongue thrust swallow, phonological disorders, and apraxia of speech. Kate is skilled in providing evaluations and assessments and has an eye for details. Kate enjoys building rapport with her clients and always has a fun activity up her sleeve!
Background & Education:
-
Masters of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from Northwestern University
-
Bachelors of Arts in Biology with a minor in Spanish from Saint Louis University
Licenses/Certifications:
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
-
Hanen- It Takes Two To Talk Certified
-
Lidcombe Program for Stuttering
-
ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation) trained clinician
Caitlin Spalding, M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech Therapist
Experience:
Caitlin brings eleven years of experience in the speech and language field to The Speech Spot. She has provided speech and language therapy primarily in the school setting prior to The Speech Spot. Her time in the schools has provided her with a wealth of knowledge about a variety of speech and language disorders. Caitlin has a particular passion and interest in the early childhood population, AAC, and phonological disorders. She enjoys building relationships with her clients as well as their families and is happy to provide strategies for carryover at home.
Background & Education:
-
Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Kansas
-
Bachelor of General Studies in Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders from the University of Kansas
Licenses/Certifications:
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
-
Speech-Language Pathology Certificate from Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Kristen Ottenlips, M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech Therapist
Experience:
Kristen brings six years of experience working in the speech and language field to The Speech Spot. She currently also works in an elementary school setting. She also has experience working in an Acute Care setting with adults, as well as some school setting experience with the Middle and High School populations. She has experience working with students in the areas of articulation, phonological disorders, AAC, early language learning, language disorders as they relate to the educational setting, fluency, and she has worked with a variety of students on the Autism Spectrum.
Background & Education:
-
Masters of Arts Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Truman State University
-
Bachelor of Health Science degree in the area of Communication Science and Disorders from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Licenses/Certifications:
-
Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts License in Speech Language Pathology
Emily Carpenter M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech Therapist
Experience
Emily brings six years of experience in the field of speech and language to The Speech Spot. She currently also works in the elementary school setting. Prior to that, she worked two years at a high school, while working part-time at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Through these positions Emily has gained experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, speech-sound disorders, language disorders, fluency and voice disorders, and those who use AAC devices. She likes to incorporate games, play, and literacy into therapy when possible to increase engagement.
Background and Education
-
Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Missouri State University
-
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders with a minor in Psychology from Missouri State University
Licenses/Certifications
-
American Speech-Language Hearing Association - Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
-
Student Services Certificate from Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Experience:
Kate brings seven years of experience in the field of speech and language to The Speech Spot. Prior to her arrival at The Speech Spot, Kate held a position with the Special School District in St. Louis County. She has extensive experience treating children with Autism, clients utilizing augmentative communication devices, articulation disorders, fluency disorders, and receptive and expressive language disorders, She enjoys providing therapy that is fun and meaningful to clients and their families.
Background and Education:
-
Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Saint Louis University
-
Bachelors of Science in Education from Saint Louis University
Licenses/Certification:
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association -- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech Therapist
Haley Bell M.A. CCC-SLP
Speech Therapist
Experience:
Haley brings five years of experience to The Speech Spot. Haley currently also works in the elementary school setting which has given her a wide variety of speech and language experiences as a clinician. Haley has special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder and is a Gestalt Trained therapist.
Background and Education:
-
Masters of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University
-
Bachelors of Science. Communication Disorders University of Missouri
Licenses/Certification:
-
American Speech Language Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech Therapist
Experience:
Lauren comes to The Speech Spot with six years of experience in the field of speech and language. Lauren has gained experience working with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. Lauren is always working for her client's well- being and will go above and beyond to meet the needs of her clients and families.
Background and Education:
-
Masters of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University
-
Bachelors of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University
License/Certification:
-
American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification
Speech Therapist
Experience:
Kate comes to The Speech Spot with two years of experience in the field of speech and language. She currently also works in the elementary school setting in addition to The Speech Spo . Kate has gained experience working with a variety of disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fluency disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances. She is a passionate and dedicated therapist committed to her clients and families.
Background and Education:
-
Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Fontbonne University
-
Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Missouri State University
License/Certification:
-
American Speech Language and Hearing Association- Certificate of Clinical Competence
-
Missouri Board of Healing Arts Certification