parent testimonials
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My son, Sean, was born with a mild hearing loss after suffering birth trauma. He began speech therapy when he was less than a year old. For a little over 18 months, he had four or five different speech therapists. As of his second birthday he only used 10 words or verbalizations consistently but understood everything we said to him. Then we began to experience the “melt-downs” when he was trying to communicate with us.
We decided to seek out a private therapist for Sean and that’s when we found Jessie. We were frustrated, scared about Sean’s future, and worried that we may never hear him talk to us. As a mother I was devastated to think I would never hear my little boy, my first child, say “I love you, Mommy.”
Jessie used PROMPT to show Sean how to use the muscles in his mouth and face to produce speech. She utilized Hanen strategies with him during his sessions and then taught them to us so we could use them at home to work with him. Jessie did not treat our son, she treated our family. She talked us through behavior issues and sippy cups all while extracting new words from our son during his sessions.
Sean has seen Jessie twice a week for ten months and to say her work with him is a miracle would be an understatement. Sean has more words than we can count or write down and is putting together three and four word phrases.
Oddly enough, there are simply not enough words of praise and/ or thanks for Jessie’s commitment to our son. Jessie walked into our life when we needed her most and I know any parent who finds her will feel the same way. She is amazing. Jessie has just the right mix of caring and tough love; she knows instinctively when to push your child for more and when to take them at their own pace. And she never backs down from a challenge, which frankly Sean was when he first got to her.
Jessie will always be a part of our family. When Sean reads his first book out loud or asks to borrow the car, it will be because of her. Jessie made our life so much better and I am sure she will do so for many other lucky families and their children.
-Jaime
"Jessie is a firm believer that therapy is not just a one hour per week session for the child, but it is an opportunity for the parents to also learn tools to help their children succeed."
Lauren, Dean, and Courtney
"Jessie did not treat our son, she treated our family."
Jessie has worked with all 3 of my children and she is truly phenomenal! She worked with my twin girls (20 months old) using the Hanen program for children who are late-talkers. As a result my girls are talking nonstop! Jessie has also worked with my 3-year old son who has Asperger's. She uses Floortime and pairs my son with other peers to help him with his social skills. Jessie gives me a detailed home plan each week, which is great for me, my husband and our au pair. Everyone, including teachers, have seen tremendous gains in our son's progress since he started seeing Jessie. She is truly knowledgeable, has the best interest for her clients and their families, and a heart of gold!
- Susan
My son has made huge progress in the short amount of time he has been working with Jessie. We attribute his success to her warm personality that kids immediately gravitate to as well her use of the Floortime approach. Floortime directly addresses his needs in a way no other therapy has been able to tap into and for the first time in several years I am not worried about the first day of school--I know he is going to do great!
I appreciate the way she makes sure the parents understand what is going on, the benefits of the particular activity, and that she always provides helpful activities for practice at home. Jessie is a firm believer that therapy is not just a one hour per week session for the child but it is an opportunity for the parents to also learn tools to help their children succeed.
- Hilary
We have so enjoyed getting to know Jessie. Over the past few years, we have worked with multiple practicioners to help our son, Leo, achieve his highest potential. Jessie truly stands out as a clinician that has taken the traditional roles of a speech/language therapist and expanded them to meet the individual and specific needs of our child. She understands the importance of a team approach when it comes to addressing a child's development. We were thrilled to find someone who helped bridge the gap between the work being done in the professional therapy setting and the work we were capable of doing in-home. To help ensure continuity and progression outside the professional therapy environment, Jessie was able to tailor a feedback delivery system specific to our learning styles and capabilities. My husband and I feel empowered to use professional approaches in the home and in every day life. Jessie has also extended herself to work directly with Leo's preschool teachers, again, helping to ensure consistency.
In addition to helping our child reach his social and developmental milestones, we love the kindness and genuine caring that Jessie has extended to Leo and our family as a whole. Her accessibility and patience when we have 1,000 questions, her collaborative approach between practicioner and parents, and her overall positive and encouraging presence has helped make our child the successful and happy boy that he is today. Today marks the end of Leo's second week of kindergarten. Leo is thriving in a mainstream classroom and is often described by his teacher as "the class leader." We thank Jessie for helping him (and us!) get to this exciting new adventure.
- Lauren