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Victoria: 1772 Steiger Lake Lane, Victoria, MN 55386
Prior Lake: 14070 Commerce Avenue NE #200 Prior Lake, MN 55372
Phone: 952.443.9888

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child speech therapists MN


Candy Almquist - Clinic Director

Email Address: calmquist@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist M.A./CCC-SLP

Brief Work Background:

 Candy completed her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Minnesota in 1995. During her time at the University of Minnesota she was a graduate research assistant and provided speech-language therapy to both pediatric and adult populations in hospitals and clinics. Upon completion of her Masters Degree Candy worked with adults who sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), had strokes or various neurological diseases that resulted in impairments in speech, language, feeding, swallowing and cognitive skills. In 2001, Candy opened Kid Talk and began working primarily in pediatrics, but now also provides therapy to adults. She provides speech-language therapy to adults and children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Downs Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorders, developmental delays, TBI, strokes, neurological diseases as well as various other medical diagnoses. She has extensive experience with the following: Verbal Apraxia, Dysarthria, Aphasia, oral motor impairments, swallowing (dysphagia) and feeding disorders, cognitive-linguistic skills, expressive and receptive language disorders as well as articulation and phonological delays. Candy continues to expand her knowledge of new therapy techniques and tools to ensure success for the children and adults she treats by regularly attending workshops. Candy has a special interest in sensory and motor-based feeding disorders and has taken many advanced courses pertaining to feeding.  She has completed Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson’s “Evaluation and Treatment of Oral Feeding Skills with Emphasis on Oral Motor Function” , “Developing Oral Motor and Feeding Skills in Down Syndrome Population” and "Feeding Therapy: A Sensory-Motor Approach" and uses these techniques frequently in her therapy sessions. Candy is a Certified Sequential Oral Sensory Approach Therapist with Advanced Training with gastroesophageal reflux, autistism spectrum and tube-fed populations.  She is also a certified Fast ForWord provider. Candy believes that the therapy process is a team effort between the therapist, the patient, the patient’s parents and physician. She knows that the patient makes progress faster with consistent attendance and carry over of skills taught in the therapy room to the home environment on a daily basis. Candy believes that therapy should be functional and gets the most satisfaction out of her work as a speech-language pathologist from watching her patients grow and overcome their daily feeding, communicative and cognitive challenges.

Continuing Education:

  • “Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech” (2003)
  • “Pediatric Dysphagia Evaluation and Therapy Protocol” (2003)
  • Evaluation and Treatment of Oral Feeding Skills with Emphasis on Oral Motor Function” (2003)
  • “Developing Oral Motor and Feeding Skills in Down Syndrome Population” (2005)
  • “Enhancing Phonological and Metaphonological Skills of Children with Highly Unintelligible Speech” (2005)
  • “Diagnosis and Program Planning for Clients with Oral Motor Based Communication Disorders” (2005)
  • “Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Assessment/Treatment for the School Aged Child“ (2006)
  • “The SCERTS Model“: A comprehensive Educational Approach (2007)
  • Autism Subtypes, Feeding Issues and Nutrition (2008)
  • Understanding, Diagnosing and Treating ADHD (2008)
  • Practical Therapy Techniques for Persistent Articulation Errors (2009)
  • Fast ForWord Trained Clinician (2009)
  • Working with Preschoolers Who Stutter (2009)
  • Assessing and Treating Narrative Language in Children with Language Impairments (2009)
  • Nutrition Therapy Feeding Intervention for Austism, Asperger's and ADHD (2010) 
  • Feeding Therapy:  A Sensory-Motor Approach by Lori Overland (2011)

  • The Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding Basic (2011)

  • Advanced Training in Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding (2011)


Katie Eckhoff - Clinic Manager

Email Address: keckhoff@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist M.S./CCC-SLP

Brief Work Background:

Katie graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2003 with a master's degree in communication disorders.  Katie is the clinic manager at Kid Talk and has worked as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in both outpatient private practice and school settings. She has worked with children with a variety of disabilities and delays including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Chiari Malformation, Spina Bifida, receptive and expressive language delays, Apraxia of Speech, Auditory Processing Disorder, cleft palate/lip, voice disorders, fluency, phonological disorders, oral motor impairments, and articulation delays.  Katie is PROMPT level 1 trained as well as a certified Interactive Metronome provider.

Continuing Education:
  • “Apraxia of Speech vs. Phonological Processing Disorders in Children” (2005)
  • “A Three Part Treatment Plan for Oral Motor Therapy” (2005)
  • “Apraxia and Phonology” (2005)
  • “Autism Spectrum Disorders- Early Identification” (2005)
  • “Autism Spectrum Disorders-Recognizing the Communicative Function of Challenging Behaviors” (2005)
  • “Comparing Strategies for Promoting Communication of Infants and Toddlers” (2005)
  • “Early Assessment and Intervention for Children with Cleft Palate” (2005)
  • “Promoting Functional Communication in Children with Autism: Addressing the Verbal Challenge (2006)
  • “Helping Children with Auditory Processing Disorders” (2007)
  • “Autism and the SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach” (2007)
  • “Autism- Tools for Recognizing, Differentiating, and Intervening” (2008)
  • “Beyond Hearing Aids: Implantable Hearing Technology” (2008)
  • “Phonological Assessment and Therapy: Effective Strategies for Speech Sound Disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech” (2008)
  • “Practical Therapy Techniques for Persistent Articulation Errors: Frontal Lisp, Lateral Lisp, and Distorted “R” (2009)
  • “Working Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Review of ASHA’s 2007 Position Statement and Technical Report (2009)
  • Introduction to PROMPT: Technique (2009)
  • Interactive Metronome Certification (2010)
  • The Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding Therapy (2011)


Kelli Doty 

Email address: kdoty@kid-talk.com 

Title/Credentials:
Licensed Speech Language Pathologist M.A./CCC-SLP
Brief Work Background: 

Kelli attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison and holds a B.A. in Communicative Disorders, a B.A. in Linguistics and a M.A. in Speech Pathology. Before joining the Kid Talk team in 2011, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a rehabilitation/long term care facility and also assisted in the development of speech therapy programming at the Northside Child Development Center.  She also has 6 years of in-home therapy experience working as an Advanced Line Therapist with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. Kelli has experience with evaluation and treatment of children with a variety of disorders, including: articulation disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's, auditory processing disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, expressive and receptive language disorders, fluency disorders and voice disorders. Kelli also has training with RDI and augmentative alternative communication devices. She is very happy to see kids grow through speech therapy each and every day!

Continuing Education:
  • Teaching Children with Developmental Disabilities to Speak: Current Research and Best Practice (2011)


Kristine Beer

E-mail Address: kbeer@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, M.S., CCC-SLP

Brief Work Background:

Kristine graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2000 with a master’s degree in communication disorders.  Kristine has worked as a pediatric speech-language pathologist at both a private developmental and behavioral clinic and in Early Childhood Special Education. She has provided individual evaluation and treatment services for children with a variety of communication disorders including Childhood Apraxia of speech, phonological, articulation, fluency, auditory processing, and receptive, expressive, and pragmatic language. She has several years of experience working with children who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. She thoroughly enjoys her work at enhancing a child’s communication skills and is excited to be a provider at Kid Talk.

Continuing Education:
  • “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect-Implications for Educators” (2001)
  • “Picture Exchange Communication System” (2001)
  • “Social Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders” (2002)
  • “Brain Gym” (2002)
  • “Enhancing Children’s Phonological & Metaphonological Skills” (2002)
  • “It Takes Two to Talk-The Hanen Program for Parents” (2003)
  • “Promoting Functional Communication and Social Interaction in Children with Autism” (2003) “Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach” (2004)
  • “The TEACH Approach to Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders” (2005)
  • “Effective Services for Toddlers with ASD and their Families” (2005)
  •  “Autism: A Roadmap to Communication” (2005)
  •  “Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders: The S.O.S. Approach to Problem Feeding, Beginning and Advanced Courses (2006)
  • “Pediatric Feeding Problems” (2007)
  • “Understanding Children Who Have Been Affected by Maltreatment and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure” (2008)
  • “Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Context of SLP Intervention” (2008)
  • “Sensory Processing Disorder” (2009)
  • “Demystifying Autism: An Inside-Out Perspective” (2009)
  • “Suspected Apraxia and Early Intervention” (2010)
  • “Treating Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders” (2011)
  • “Practical Therapy Techniques for Persistent Articulation Errors: Frontal Lisp, Lateral Lisp, and Distorted “R” (2011)


Emily Morisset

Email Address: emorisset@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist M.S/CCC-SLP

Brief Work Background:

Emily graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 2000 with a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist with adults and pediatrics in several settings including acute and short and long term care facilities and outpatient therapy centers; as well as an autism day center and an elementary school setting. Emily has had experience with treating a wide variety if disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Angelman’s, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Periventricular Leukomalacia, Cardiofaciocutaneous Syndrome, Velocardiofacial Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, among others, in addition to Childhood Apraxia of Speech, dysarthria, articulation and phonological delays/disorders, receptive and expressive language delays/disorders, auditory processing disorder, and oral motor and feeding issues. Emily is also informally trained in Verbal Behavior therapy. Emily enjoys working with children and their families and acknowledges the benefits of practice and carryover in the home setting.

Continuing Education:

  • Evaluation and Treatment of Children with Apraxia of Speech (2002)
  • The Picture Exchange Communication System (2002)
  • Take Five:  Using the Alert Program (2002)
  • Pediatric Dysphagia Evaluation and Treatment Protocols (2003)
  • The SCERTS Model:  Enhancing Communicative and Socioemotional Competence in Young Children with ASD (2003)
  • Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (2004)
  • How to "Jump Start" Learning for Children with Sensory Dysfunction (2005)
  • When Children Won't Eat:  Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders:  The SOS Approach to Feeding (2005)
  • Reaching and Teaching Young Children with ASD through Music & Play (2006)
  • Promoting Functional Communication and Interaction in Children with Autism:  Addressing the Verbal Challenge (2006)
  • Challenging Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Advances in Understanding and Treatment (2007)
  • Helping Children with Auditory Processing Disorders (2007)
  • Autism:  Tools for Recognizing, Differentiating, and Intervening (2008)
  • Practical Strategies, Interventions, and Treatments for Childhood Developmental Disorders (2008)
  • Strategies for Speech Sound Disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (2008)
  • Phonological Assessments and Therapy:  Effective Strategies for Speech Sound Disorders and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (2009)
  • Sensory Processing Disorder in Children and Adolescents (2009)
  • An Insider's Perspective on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome (2009)
  • Using Sign to Facilitate Oral Language:  Building a Case with Parents (2009)
  • Feeding Therapy for Infants and Children:  What to Do & How to Do It! (2010)
  • Practical Therapy Techniques for Persistent Articulation Errors: Frontal Lisp, Lateral Lisp, and Distorted "R" (2011)
  • Stuttering: Working on Negative Beliefs and Emotions (2011)
  • Social Thinking:  Thinking About You Thinking About Me (2011)
  • Social Thinking:  Implementing Social Thinking Concepts and Vocabulary (2011)


Shelly Brooks- Lead Occupational Therapist

Email Address: sbrooks@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Occupational Therapist OTR/L

Brief Work Background:

 Shelly completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Minnesota in 1995.  She has worked in pediatrics at Kid Talk since 2003. Prior to that, she worked for five years with Rehab Works evaluating and treating developmentally disabled teenagers and adults in the day program, home, work, and community settings. Shelly is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families and helping individuals improve their functional independence and quality of life. Her experience includes working with individuals with Developmental Delay, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD, ADHD, ADD, EBD, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder, fine motor delays, handwriting issues, mental health issues, and various other syndromes and disorders. Shelly is certified as a Handwriting Specialist through the Handwriting Without Tears Program and is also an Interactive Metronome provider.

Continuing Education:

  • Understanding Autism and Behavioral Therapy (2004)
  • Identifying Disorders of Sensory Integration Using Clinical Observation Skills (2005)
  • Treating Disorders of Sensory Integration Using Clinical Observation Skills (2005)
  • Concepts in Neurodevelopmental Treatment: NDT Treatment Approaches in Pediatrics (2005)
  • Neurokinesthetic Approach to Hand Function and Handwriting (2005)
  • Handwriting: Visual Perceptual Motor Components of Function (2006)
  • Handwriting Without Tears – Pre-K, Printing & Cursive Workshops (2007)
  • Sensory Integration: Theory & Practice (2007)
  • Learning & Behavior Problems in Asperger’s Syndrome (2007)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder – Overview (2007)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Overview (2007)
  • Anxiety Disorders – Overview (2007)
  • Autism and the SCERTS Model: A Comprehensive Educational Approach (2007)
  • Vestibular Activation: Therapeutic Movement to Optimize Physical, Social and Cognitive Occupation (2008)
  • The Print Tool – Handwriting Without Tears Workshop (2008)
  • Vital Links Listening With the Whole Body - Therapeutic Listening Program (2008)
  • The Therapist’s Toolbox: Sensory Modulation Plans – Developing Effective Treatment Plans for Children and Adolescents (2009)
  • Handwriting Without Tears Level 1 Certification Course (2009)
  • Interactive Metronome Certification Course (2010)
  • Getting the PIQ-ture:  Assessing and Treating Common Pediatric Patients (2010)
  • Smart but Scattered: Helping Children and Adolescents with Executive Dysfunction at Home and School (2010)


Rebecca Holloway

Email Address: rholloway@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Occupational Therapist OTR/L

Brief Work Background:

Rebecca graduated from California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. Her focus there was on working with children in the Head Start Program, a private preschool specializing in Autism and PDD, and The Foundation for the Junior Blind as well as with cognitively disabled adults in group home settings and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. She has experience working with adults with CVA, joint replacements, brain injury, spinal cord injury, Dementia, and Alzheimer's within the acute hospital, skilled nursing/long term care units and in home settings. Rebecca is very excited to be working with the children at Kid Talk and is passionate about utilizing community resources and animal assisted therapies to assist with individuals living as independently, successfully and as happily as possible.

Continuing Education:

  • Handwriting Without Tears (2011)
  • The Alert Program (2011)
  • Vital Links Listening with the Whole Body: Therapeutic Listening Program (2011)

Rachel Duffy

Email Address:  rduffy@kid-talk.com

Title/Credentials:

Occupational Therapist, OTR/L

Brief Work Background:

Rachel received her Certificate in Occupational Therapy from Temple University in 1998 and received her BA in Psychology in 1993.  Rachel's pediatric occupational therapy experience includes providing school based occupational therapy for four years in Pennsylvania.  During this time, she worked with individuals with Developmental Delays, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD, ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder, fine motor delays, handwriting difficulties, and various other syndromes and disorders.  Additionally, Rachel worked for four years in an outpatient program focusing on improving the social skills of children and young adults with various diagnoses including:  Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, and Developmental Delays.  Rachel's additional occupational therapy experience includes working with adults in acute care hospitals, inpatient rehab, and skilled nursing facilities.  Although Rachel has enjoyed working in all aspects of occupational theray, her greatest passion is working with children and their families.  She is now thrilled to be part of the Kid Talk team!

Continuing Education:
  • "The Right Stuff":  A Seminar in Pediatric Fine Motor Skills (2007)
  • Printing and Cursive Handwriting without Tears Workshop (2007)
  • Sensory Processing Disorders (2008)
  • Sensory Strategies to Improve Children's Learning and Behavior (2009)

Our Therapists

Candy

Katie

Kelli

   Kristine

Emily

Shelly

Rebecca

“The therapists are very positive, respectful, and fun. Both of my children have thrived in this program!”

“I have been beyond impressed with the therapy. Our therapist is always trying new things and knows my child well.”




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