Speech Start provides
services for individuals ages 0 to 21+
Dr. Bernadette Mullen is a New Jersey licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Special Education Teacher. Bernadette graduated from Kean University in Union, NJ with masters and doctoral degrees in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed her undergraduate education in both Special Education and Speech-Language Pathology at Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ. Bernadette is highly qualified in her field and she is a nationally certified member of ASHA holding her Certificate of Clinical Competency. She has worked in the field of special education for 40 years. She has owned and operated Speech Start LLC for 22 years. In her practice, she specializes in providing evaluations and therapeutic intervention to children and teens with both speech and language disorders. She has extensive training in the areas of apraxia, language based reading disorders, autism spectrum disorder, behavior management and sensory processing disorders. She has worked on providing quality pragmatic therapy to children with social language disorders for many years. Bernadette is fluent in American Sign Language.
Bernadette’s recent professional foci have been social skills training as well as behavioral/sensory feeding intervention. She served as the curriculum director for SiLAS Solutions, which is a socially interactive software and curriculum for professionals to use when teaching social skills to children, teens and adults from 3 years old to 21+. This program has been implemented in multiple schools throughout NJ for the purpose of improving special learners’ abilities to socialize with their peers. She continues to focus on facilitating improvement in pragmatic language skills through interaction and community based learning.
Bernadette has also completed AEIOU’s Integrated Approach to Pediatric Feeding Course on Responsive Feeding-The Baby Cued Method. She has extensive experience in sensory/behavioral feeding and her feeding treatment employs a family-centered approach. She has worked with clients with various diagnoses including Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). She strives to continue to fine tune her skills in order to best help her clients and their families.
Bernadette is a Level Two – Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) trained therapist and utilizes this method when treating children and teens with apraxia and motor planning deficits.
She has also completed the Sensory Certification for Speech-Language Pathologists with the hope that this will allow for her to better treat her clients with sensory challenges and to better lead her Speech Start team!
I feel privileged to participate in a child’s ability to communicate to the world.
Shaylyn graduated from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ with a Master’s of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology with a minor in Special Education from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, MD.
Shaylyn completed external clinical practicum placements in a specialized school as well as in both adult inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and pediatric outpatient settings. Shaylyn has worked with diverse pediatric populations, with specific experience in the areas of cleft lip and palate, chromosomal abnormalities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She also has extensive experience working with the assessment and implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with pediatric populations. Shaylyn is a Level Four – in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) Certified Therapist and has completed training in Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing (DTTC) and utilizes these methods when treating children and teens with motor planning deficits. She has extensive experience evaluating and treating children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Shaylyn also offers evaluation and treatment for children and teens who require support via augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Shaylyn received the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Award for Continuing Education in 2020 and 2022. She was also awarded ASHA’s Distinguished Early Career Professional Award in 2023. Furthermore, she has been voted one of NJ’s Favorite Kids Docs in 2024. Shaylyn joins a select group of individuals who have made a concerted, personal effort to continue professional learning beyond an academic degree. She constantly strives to learn and grow in order to become the best clinician she can be! She hopes to instill this thirst for learning and education in her Speech Start team!
Helping a child and his or her family through the challenges to reveal their true potential is the best feeling in the world.
Speech-Language Pathologists (co-owner)
I love seeing progress happen; the moment that you watch the child make a connection and they smile.
Danielle obtained her Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Monmouth University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a concentration in Communication Disorders from Stockton University.
Her clinical experience encompasses a wide range of areas, including receptive and expressive language delays/disorders, phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, executive functioning, semantic pragmatic disorders, social skills, and feeding. Danielle is a Level One – Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) trained therapist and utilizes this method when treating children and teens with motor planning deficits. She also holds specific training in the AEIOU feeding approach. Danielle is passionate about helping individuals make strides with their communication to positively impact their lives and their families.
Some of the most wonderful people are the ones who don’t fit into boxes.
Kimberly is a speech and language pathologist with 15 years experience in pediatric therapy. She has worked with a variety of children ranging from three through eighteen. She has experience working with autism spectrum disorders, auditory processing disorders, language processing disorders, myofunctional disorders, oral motor dysfunction, apraxia, behavioral feeding, as well as, general expressive/receptive language and articulation disorders/delays.
Kimberly received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College in Ithaca New York. She then completed her Master’s of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. Additionally she has taken graduate course work from various universities to continue her education in areas such as supervision, learning disabilities, social skills, and applied behavior analysis.
Kimberly has been working as a Speech Language Specialist in the public schools for fifteen years, servicing grades preschool through twelfth grade. She currently works in an autistic preschool setting using ABA principles to guide therapy. Additionally she has been providing private therapy for twelve years.
Kimberly is currently a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association and Autism NJ. She is licensed as a Speech Language Specialist and a Speech Language Pathologist. She has participated in a variety of specific trainings including PROMPT, PECS, Kaufman Apraxia Program, Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program (LIPS), oral motor trainings, behavioral feeding trainings, ABA, Autism, auditory processing trainings, and general language and speech trainings.
Differences are like freckles… we all have them.
Sharon earned a Master’s Degree at Kean University. She currently works full-time for the Keansburg School District with 20+ years experience. Some of her favorite things include the beach, paddle boarding, weight lifting & spending time with her teenage daughter. She is a fitness & nutrition enthusiast.
She has skilled experience in the areas of articulation, phonological processes, apraxia, fluency, expressive & receptive language, autism spectrum disorders, pragmatic communication and alternative & augmentative communication. She is a team player & collaborates with occupational & physical therapists.
Ms. Sharon believes in building a strong rapport with clients and their families. She demonstrates compassion towards her clients & families, which builds a trusting relationship. Ms. Sharon creates a fun & motivating therapeutic environment & gives tons of praise & encouragement throughout her sessions.
Tell me & I forget, Teach me & I remember, Involve me & I learn” - Abraham Lincoln
Speech-Language Pathologists
Kerri Crossnohere
Sarah earned her Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology at Monmouth University after completing the Bachelor of Science program at James Madison University for Communication Sciences and Disorders. Sarah grew up in New Jersey and worked in the public school setting after graduating from MU, before moving to Virginia. During her time in Virginia she worked in the public schools before transitioning to private practice. Sarah has primarily worked with elementary school aged children (Pre-K to 6th), as well as middle and high school students. Sarah has completed the Level 1 Sensory Integration certification via Jessie Ginsburg’s Inside Out course. Sarah has experience working with students on their articulation, expressive and receptive language, AAC, fluency, and pragmatics skills, across many populations. Sarah values being part of a team with families and other professionals, and collaborating to support her clients’ success.
"Kids do well if they can" - Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child. It is an honor for me to be a part of the process and to support my clients in a way that allows them to show the world what they are really capable of.
Marissa Nagy has her BS in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and her MS in Speech Language Pathology from Seton Hall. She implements speech language therapy goals for young children at Speech Start focusing on clients with autism and other special disorders, apraxia and articulation disorders. She holds special training and certification in the Kaufman Speech Praxis Method, DIR, and Options.
Marissa’s background in social play, language skills and developmental/behavioral therapy provide a solid foundation from which she helps clients meet their goals.
It’s such a rewarding experience when you see a child make progress; moving forward and having the family say the words thank you.
Ashley obtained her Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University. During her clinical practicum, she gained valuable clinical experience while working at Speech Start LLC. She also worked in a specialized school where she had the opportunity to work with clients of different ages with multiple disabilities. This experience allowed the development of skills when working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and clients with multiple disabilities. Her clinical experience encompasses a wide range of areas including childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder, receptive and expressive language delays/disorders, developmental disorders, genetic disorders,articulation disorders, and AAC. She has also completed introduction to PROMPT:Technique. Ashley aims to create a strong rapport with her clients so they can feel comfortable and supported throughout their therapy journey.
Treat people with kindness - Harry Styles
Megan received her Bachelor’s of Science in psychology and her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology both from Seton Hall University. Megan’s practical work included placements in a kindergarten through 8th grade school, adult inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation, and with pediatrics at Speech Start LLC. Through these placements, she gained skills working with apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, gestalt language processing (GLP), fluency disorders, voice disorders, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), receptive and expressive language disorders, and articulation and phonological disorders. Megan’s goal as a speech language pathologist is to help children communicate by working with their families/caregivers to create an environment for them to grow and build confidence in their skills.
All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them - Earvin Johnson
Lori graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Speech-Language Hearing Sciences and a Master’s of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Lori has 20 years of skilled experience in the areas on articulation, expressive and receptive language, social/pragmatic communication disorders, apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, AAC, sensory-behavioral feeding, and dysphagia.
Lori has experience working in a private school, private practices and outpatient hospital settings working with a diverse pediatric population. Furthermore, she treats clients in both individual and group settings.
Lori has participated in a variety of specific trainings including Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention, SOS Approach to Feeding, Kauffman Apraxia Program, and Talk Tools.
Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way. - George Evans
Jaimee earned her master’s of arts degree from Montclair State University. Jaimee’s practicum work included placements at MSU’s private practice, a pediatric outpatient facility, and a specialized preschool program. She gained knowledge in assessing and treating gestalt language processing, autism spectrum disorder, executive functioning, cognition, dysphagia, receptive & expressive language, phonological processing, and more. She is trained in dynamic temporal and tactile cueing (DTTC) for treatment of Apraxia. Jaimee has also gained insightful knowledge on sequential oral sensory (SOS) feeding therapy and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). She aims to better learn and understand the wide variety of disorders that fall under the speech therapy umbrella to better provide services to her clients and help them to develop a sense of communication in whatever way is best for them.
If you think that communication is all talking, then you have not been listening. - Ashleigh Brilliant
Michaela earned her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Monmouth University. Her graduate externships included work in a public school setting, with a focus on the preschool population, as well as experience in a pediatric private practice. These roles provided her with an extensive clinical experience specialized in pediatric care.
Michaela has worked with a diverse range of clients, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, literacy disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation and phonology disorders, motor speech disorders, and social pragmatic disorders. In addition to her graduate externships, Michaela has been a member of the team at Speech Start throughout her academic journey and has served as a group therapy leader for various groups of diverse populations.
Michaela has completed training in Dynamic and Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and attended lectures on Feeding Therapy and Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). She also completd her Prompt Level 1 Training. Michaela is passionate about building connections with her clients and fostering their growth in a safe, caring, and fun environment. She is so excited to continue to learn and grow at Speech Start!
My goal is to create a safe, caring, and fun environment in which my clients can find their voice and express themselves.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Rick earned his Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University and his Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language and Communication Disorders from Nova Southeastern University, where he also completed minors in Experiential Leadership and Honors Transdisciplinary Studies.
Throughout his academic and clinical training, Rick has gained extensive experience working with diverse pediatric populations. His clinical externships included placements at a public elementary school serving students from Pre-K through first grade, as well as at Speech Start. These experiences, along with his graduate-level clinical work, have provided him with a strong foundation in a wide range of communication disorders and treatment approaches.
Rick has developed knowledge in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Gestalt Language Processing, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, social pragmatic communication disorders, literacy, and voice disorders.
Rick’s primary clinical and research interests lie in ASD and AAC. He earned a certification as a Neurodiverse Affirming Care Specialist at Kean University and conducted his graduate thesis on identity representation in AAC devices for children with ASD. He remains committed to ongoing professional development and strives to provide individualized, evidence-based, and affirming care to support clients’ communication needs.
When you support a child, you support a family. When you support a family, you strengthen a community.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Alexis earned her Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University and her Bachelor of Science in Health Science, with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders, from Monmouth University. During her graduate training, she completed externships in both school and clinical settings, working with children from preschool through high school as well as with adults in a program focused on group-based social communication therapy. She also completed an externship at Speech Start under the supervision of Ms. Shaylyn, an experience that confirmed her passion for private practice and her dedication to the clients and families served here.
Her clinical interests include early language development, motor speech disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), social pragmatic communication, and gestalt language processing. She also enjoys collaborating with the occupational therapy team at Speech Start to thoughtfully consider the sensory needs of her clients in order to best support communication. In addition to her clinical training, Alexis has been a valued team member at Speech Start since 2022, supporting clients and families in a variety of roles, including office support and facilitating social skills groups.
Alexis has pursued advanced training in several evidence-based approaches, including Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for motor speech treatment and Level 1 training in PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets). She has also completed extensive training in AAC to better support children with complex communication needs.
Alexis is excited to continue her clinical journey at Speech Start and looks forward to working closely with clients and their families to support growth and development.
Speech-Language Pathologist
