Charlotte physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychological counseling
Our Mission
Speech Language Therapy
 
Pediatric Speech Pathologists work to help children develop the skills necessary for effective communication with adults and peers. Rehabilitation efforts are focused on oral motor competence, language understanding and processing, and social skills that facilitate communication. Children evaluated and treated may have a wide range of problems that include:
 

 

Speech language therapists use qualitative and quantitative assessment methods, including standardized tests, to analyze and diagnose the nature and extent of the communication impairment. Following a comprehensive assessment, our speech therapist and language pathologists develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each child’s specialized needs. Treatment services may be provided in either an individual or group setting. In addition, speech ltherapists work closely with family members to teach communication-enhancing techniques and identify behavior patterns that impede communication in the home environment.

Pediatric speech therapy services are provided individually and in small groups in the clinic and by contract to private schools. Speech Pathologists hold masters degrees, are licensed by the state of NC, and have certification from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. They also participate in numerous training sessions each year to provide your family with the most current and effective treatment strategies.
 
Speech Language Therapy Staff
Elaine Chan Byrd, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a North Carolina licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. She received her undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Northwestern University. Having worked in public school and private practice settings in Chicago and Seattle, Elaine is glad to join the C&FD team in 2010 and be close to family in Charlotte. She has training and experience with a variety of pediatric disorders including autism, childhood apraxia of speech, fluency, language delays, phonology, and social-pragmatic disorders. She also enjoys working with families with a multicultural background and children who are adopted. Elaine is currently based at our Midtown office.
 

Ann Guild, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a North Carolina licensed and NDT trained speech-language pathologist and NDTA, Inc. speech instructor. She received an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree from Northwestern University. Ann has extensive training and experience in treating children with oral-motor and feeding difficulties, children with the language and communication disorders associated with cerebral palsy and other neurological diagnoses, and young children with language and communication disorders. Ann is certified to provide Vital Stim™ Therapy. On staff since 1989, Ann has more than 35 years of clinical experience and is based at our Midtown office.
 

Elizabeth Shields Fagg, M.S., CCC-SLP, holds a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Wake Forest University and an Advanced Masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She has worked in private practice and public school settings.  Her clinical interests include phonological impairments that impact both speaking and reading, as well as toddlers and pre-schoolers with speech, language, and other developmental delays. She also has experience with Augmentative and Alternative Communication users and treating children with autism.  Elizabeth strives for a holistic approach to treatment, and she enjoys the opportunities for collaboration and co-treatment that are provided by a multi-disciplinary practice.  Elizabeth joined the team in 2006 and is based at our Midtown office.

Barb Hartshorn, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a North Carolina licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master’s degree from Florida State University. She has more than 20 years of clinical service in a variety of settings. Prior to joining the practice in 2007, she worked in private practice in Dallas, TX and at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD. Barb has had experience in pediatric feeding and swallowing and has been trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding disorders. She has extensive experience with pediatric communication disorders including: articulation, language delays, auditory processing, oral motor deficits, and other developmental delays. Barb has a special interest in a group treatment approach to treating children with feeding disorders.   She enjoys a multi-disciplinary approach to treating children with communication and feeding issues. Barb is based at our South Charlotte office.

 

Lindsay Williams Hyatt, M.S., CCC-SLP, holds an advanced Master’s degree in speech-language pathology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, she was a member of multidisciplinary teams at the UNC Craniofacial Center, as well as the Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning. Lindsay has specialty training in language processing disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, social inclusion practices, and Beckman Oral Motor therapy. She has varied interests and experience in many areas of communication, including articulation, phonology, child language, and cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies. Lindsay is based at our Midtown office.
 

Lisa Peterson, M.S., CCC-SLP, attained Bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and communication studies as well as an advanced Master’s degree in speech-language pathology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has provided diagnostic and therapeutic services to pediatric populations in a variety of settings, including the cerebral palsy clinic and the feeding team at UNC Hospitals, Raleigh’s United Cerebral Palsy Center, and a language preschool for children with autism in Chapel Hill. Lisa has obtained specializations as a social inclusion facilitator and as a therapist for children with autism. She is particularly interested in serving children with Down syndrome, auditory processing disorders, articulation disorders, and developmental delays. Lisa is also certified to provide Fast ForWord®, an intensive computer-based program designed to treat language and learning problems, and improve thinking, listening, and reading skills. She has also been trained in Debra Beckman and Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson oral motor intervention techniques.  Lisa has been with C&FD since 1999 and is based at our South Charlotte office.

Michelle Pentz, M.S., CCC-SLP, is NC licensed and ASHA certified speech-language pathologist. She received an undergraduate degree at Winthrop University and a Master’s degree from East Carolina University. Prior to joining the practice in 2008, she worked with preschool and school aged populations in a private practice and many natural environment settings. Michelle has had a wide variety of experience in pediatric disorders including: articulation, language delays, oral motor deficits, and other developmental delays. She has had specialty training in feeding disorders.  Michelle is based at our South Charlotte office.