Our Therapy Team

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 utilizes this method 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. 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 on her Speech Start team!

Elizabeth Spina, M.A., CCC-SLP is a supervising speech language pathologist at Speech Start, pa. She has a BA in Speech Pathology and Audiology and an MA in Speech Language Pathology.

She assesses and treats children with a variety of speech and language disorders. Her experience lies in the areas of articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, semantic pragmatic disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and behavioral feeding in school-aged children. Counseling families and implementing carryover home programs are also an important aspect of the treatment plan for each child. In addition to assessment and treatment, she is also a supervisor to some of the members of the Speech Start staff with whom she meets regularly to collaborate and discuss progress and future treatment goals.

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.

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.

Marissa graduated Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ with a Master’s of Science in Education in Speech Language Pathology. Marissa has been working at Speech Start for more than a year, conducting both individual and group therapy sessions. She has experience in a variety of settings including specialized schools, adult acute inpatient rehabilitation, as well as private practice. In her experience, Marissa has worked with a diverse pediatric population with a vast array of communication deficits including: Autism Spectrum Disorder, dysphagia, receptive/expressive language disorders, pragmatic language disorders, as well as articulation and phonological disorders. In addition, Marissa has also conducted pragmatic language groups for children with various diagnoses. Marissa 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.

Andrea graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  She received her Master’s of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University in Union, NJ. Andrea is skilled in the areas of articulation, phonological processes, expressive and receptive language, voice, dysphagia, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication. She has worked with children and adults in public school, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Furthermore, Andrea has treated clients in both individual and group sessions, creating and facilitating achievement of functional and attainable goals. Andrea also serves as Speech Start’s social skills/group therapy program director.

Andrea is a Level Two – in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) trained therapist and utilizes this method when treating children and teens with motor planning deficits.

Alex received her Master’s of Science degree in Communication Science and Disorders from New York University. Alex has had skilled experience in the areas of Childhood Apraxia of Speech, articulation, phonological processes, expressive and receptive language, voice, autism spectrum disorders, social/pragmatic communication disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication.

Alex is a Level Three – in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) trained therapist and utilizes this method along with her training in Dynamic Tactile and Temporal Cueing (DTTC) when treating children and teens with motor planning deficits. She is currently working toward a certification in PROMPT. She is currently completing training in Natural Language Acquisition to improve her ability to treat gestalt language processors. Alex has also completed a certificate program in sensory processing.

Alex has worked with children and adults in public school and private rehabilitation settings. She has treated clients in both individual and group sessions across the lifespan. It is important to Alex that speech therapy be an engaging and personal experience that emphasizes the FUN in functional. Alex also serves as Speech Start’s social media chair and special events coordinator.

Kerry obtained both her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and her Bachelor’s in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland.

Kerry is passionate about providing speech and language therapy to children. She enjoys incorporating families and caregivers into a child’s treatment plan to ensure success. Kerry has a variety of experience in settings including outpatient, public schools, and private practice. She has provided individual and group speech-language therapy to children at the Baltimore City Public Schools and at the Loyola Clinical Centers. Kerry has experience with treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language, and social/pragmatic communication disorders.

Kerry is a Level One – in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) trained therapist and utilizes this method when treating individuals with motor planning deficits.

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.

Alyssa received her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Kean University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology/ Audiology from Towson University.

Alyssa has specialized training in treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Motor Speech Disorders. Alyssa is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and Dynamic and Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) both of which are motor-based treatment approaches.

Alyssa has clinical experience with articulation disorders, phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language delays/disorders, social pragmatic communication, cognition, executive functioning, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Danielle 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 Science with a concentration in Communication Disorders from Stockton University in Galloway, NJ.

Danielle completed her clinical practicum placements in a specialized school setting where she served students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and multiple disabilities at Center for Lifelong Learning, as well as here at Speech Start LLC where she evaluated and treated pediatric clients across a variety of diagnoses/communication needs. Danielle has skilled clinical experience with Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Articulation Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Literacy, Semantic Pragmatic Disorders, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Danielle is passionate about helping children make strides with their communication to positively impact their lives as well as their families. She is excited to continue her journey as an SLP here at Speech Start LLC.

Ariana graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona with a Master of Science in Communication Disorders. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from Arizona State University, where she authored an undergraduate Honors thesis on speech motor learning effects based on generated auditory errors.

Ariana completed her clinical practicum placements in Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center in Phoenix where she served clients with feeding difficulties and phonological disorders secondary to velopharyngeal insufficiency, and led an adolescent social skills group of individuals with 22q Deletion Syndrome. She also interned at Banner Children’s Physical Therapy, an outpatient clinic in Mesa, AZ, and Hohokam Elementary School in Scottsdale, AZ, where she served clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ, Ariana evaluated and treated extremely premature newborns with a variety of feeding difficulties secondary to cleft lip, prematurity, and neonatal abstinence syndrome. Ariana has clinical experience providing speech therapy services in the areas of articulation, phonological processes, receptive and expressive language, social/pragmatic communication, feeding, and augmentative and alternative communication. Ariana is passionate about fostering an encouraging learning environment that makes communication fun and engaging!

Kara Abbot Mateo is a NJ licensed occupational therapist who specializes in pediatric therapy. She received a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Kara has extensive clinical experience working in inpatient and outpatient hospital settings, outpatient behavioral setting, and home based setting as an Early Intervention Specialist serving clients ranging from 2 months – 18 years of age. She has acquired professional development training in evaluation and treatment of Torticollis & Plagiocephaly, completed 96 hours of Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI®) coursework, and is a certified Handwriting Without Tears® Specialist. She serves as Speech Start’s Occupational Therapy program director and developer!

Michaela received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Scranton. She also obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Scranton.

Michaela completed Level II fieldwork placements in an outpatient pediatric setting as well as in an outpatient hand therapy clinic. She has skilled clinical experience in pediatric hemiplegia, autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, and developmental disorders. Michaela is passionate about creating a safe and fun therapeutic environment to allow children to reach their goals through meaningful play!

Silvia Fragale graduated from Fordham University in New York, New York with a degree in English and a minor in Psychology. She has been tutoring children and teens of all ages for years. She has worked in schools, tutoring centers, and has done private tutoring. She teaches reading comprehension, literature, writing, composition, and grammar. She also has experience teaching math. She is well versed on child psychology and development as well as adapting to multiple learning styles. Silvia loves teaching and her goal is to help guide every student to their fullest potential.