Sound Speech Therapy

11/08/2025

Join me on Sunday to talk about AAC!

Star Supporters by Apraxia Kids WILL MEET ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Discussion Highlight: AAC, with special guests: Melissa McDermott & Melissa Taberski

First time participants - register to receive more information and the link prior to the meeting. https://www.apraxia-kids.org/parent-meet-up-group-registration/

Who’s invited? Adults (18+) supporting someone with CAS or who has apraxia themselves are invited to join us on Zoom to chat with each other. This could be an adult with apraxia, a parent/guardian, other family members, university students, professionals, and so on.

Apraxia Kids and volunteer meeting leaders Anthony Boytim & Chelsea Marie looks forward to helping you make connections. We hope this group will offer you a safe, loving, and open space to discuss your concerns, learn from peers and professionals, and meet like-minded people.

04/27/2025

🌟 Exciting news! 🌟
Sound Speech Therapy is proud to launch our Summer Communication Academy 2025 — a series of small-group programs designed to help kids and teens build strong communication skills, boost confidence, and connect with others.

This summer, we’re offering fun, supportive programs for kids and teens of all abilities, focusing on:

✅ Strengthening speech and communication skills
✅ Building early reading and literacy foundations
✅ Expanding expressive language and flexible thinking
✅ Growing social communication and friendship skills
✅ Preparing teens for real-world conversations, friendships, and future jobs

We believe every child deserves the tools to share their ideas, build friendships, and feel confident in their voice—whether spoken, typed, signed, or supported in other ways.

📅 Programs run July 8 – August 15, 2025
📍 Location: 100 Allens Creek Rd Suite 110 Rochester, NY 14618
🖥️ Registration opens May 10th — limited spots available!
📚 You can find details and updates here: https://www.soundspeechny.com/post/summer-group-offerings

👉 Email Melissa@SoundSpeechNY.com with any questions

03/06/2025

Don't forget to sign up and join us for our next H&V NY Event! Details below!

03/03/2025

I have 4 presentations this month! 3 for local school districts and 1 for the NYSSLHA Convention in White Plains!

02/25/2025

My March AAC & Me support group is full! 🎉

If I do another this summer, when would you want me to offer it? Day or evening?

02/18/2025

Are you seeking an affordable opportunity to deepen your understanding of Assistive Technology (AT) or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)? Consider attending the virtual Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE). This two-day conference features sessions with nationally renowned trainers covering a wide range of AT topics to support students with disabilities.

I’ll be presenting on “Beyond Words: Integrating AAC to Support Speech, Language, and Literacy in Students with Speech Sound Disorders”

This event welcomes professionals, parents, and others interested in the field. Currently, registration fees are $39 for parents and $59 for professionals or teachers. You can participate live or access replays for up to 90 days afterward.

Sign up at: https://web.cvent.com/event/a7a6f617-551d-47e9-92cf-8c1a790a2915/summary

02/14/2025

I'm offering a 4 week AAC & Me Parent Support Group through Zoom for the month of March. It will be held Wednesdays on Zoom from 8-9 PM. Total cost for the 4 sessions is $40. Space is limited.

Please email Melissa@SoundSpeechNY.com for more information.

01/27/2025

Just a reminder that I’ll be attending the Assistive atechnology Institute Association conference Wednesday through Sunday. Thrilled to spend a few days learning as much as I can about Assistive Technology/Augmentative and Alternative Communication (from the top researchers and clinicians!). I’ll be reachable, but my response time might be a bit delayed!

This also starts the first of 8 conferences or presentations I’ll be attending this spring! (Now you know why I try to keep Fridays free!)

12/11/2024

We are recruiting for a treatment research study providing speech therapy for /r/ or /s/ for kids 9-17 yrs in upstate NY. Eligible participants receive 16 free therapy sessions either at home or in clinic with a speech language pathologist using Speech Motor Chaining. We currently have SLPs in the Rochester, NY area. More information is included in the flyer. Thank you!

11/04/2024

I’m excited to team up with a colleague and friend to talk about Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Assistive Technology for families! Scan the QR code to sign up!

09/20/2024

I am honored to have been invited to speak on the speech and language perspective for the Rochester Area Special Education Task Force’s 3-part webinar series, “Navigating Learning Disabilities: Evaluation, Intervention, and Expert Insights.” I will be presenting alongside Dr. Annmarie Urso on October 10, 2024. The series will also include two additional webinars focused on RTI/MTSS and a panel discussion. Head to Starbridge’s Facebook group to sign up!

09/04/2024

One thing about presenting at the Apraxia Kids Conference is that you get feedback. I’m beyond thrilled with the feedback! Attendees shared how much they enjoyed the session and expressed a desire to dive even deeper into the topics I covered. It’s so rewarding to hear that people want more, and I’m already thinking about how I can expand and make the next one even better.

I’m especially excited to present this school year to a variety of schools nationwide, specifically on CAS, AAC/AT, and Literacy in the schools! Here’s to making a difference for ALL students!