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Speech + Language Therapy helps your little one feel heard.

Speech therapy is much more than just teaching a child to say their sounds correctly. Speech-Language Pathologist’s diagnose and treat a variety of areas that affect you and your child’s day-to-day life.

Our speech therapists specialize in:

Articulation

Producing speech sounds clearly.

Expressive - Receptive

The ability to express oneself and understanding what is said to them.

Feeding

Sensory aversions that negatively impact eating.

Fluency

Stuttering and pacing of words + speech.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

We support all forms of communication!

When is it time to get speech therapy?

If your child is not reaching typical language milestones or experiencing difficulty with speech sounds, understanding and using words, or forming sentences, it is recommended that you seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist.

Read our blog post about why it’s not recommended to “wait and see” about your child’s speech delays >

Follow your instincts! If you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development, schedule a free screening or a full evaluation.

Speech Sound Development

A child’s speech may be delayed if he/she has not developed these sounds by the end of each given age.

NOTE: Children can develop these sounds before these ages and many sounds have a time range of mastery

Crowe, K., & Mcleod, . (2020). Children’s English Consonant Acquisition in the United States: A review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-15.

Language Milestones that Matter

1-2 Years
  • Knows a few body parts
  • Follow simple commands
  • Understands simple questions
  • Points to pictures when named in books
  • Puts two word together
  • Acquires new words regularly
2-3 Years
  • Has a word for almost everything
  • Understands new words quickly
  • Asks why questions
  • Understands opposites (up/down)
  • Uses prepositions (in, on under)
  • Strings 3 words
3-4 Years
  • Answers simple who, what, where, why questions
  • Uses pronouns and plurals
  • Asks when and how questions
  • Puts 4 words together
  • Knows colors/shapes
  • Says rhyming words
4-5 Years
  • Tells a short story
  • Understands words for order and time first/then, yesterday/tomorrow
  • Uses correct grammar
  • Communicates easily with children and adults
  • Names letters and numbers

This checklist is based upon How Does Your Child Hear and Talk?, American Speech–Language–Hearing Association.

Early intervention is highly important because most young children develop the majority of their speech and language skills by age 3. If there is a delay or disorder, it is imperative that children receive help at this time so we can capitalize on this early brain development.
We see children from one up to teenagers. We specialize in early intervention but also serve our school aged clients in the areas of articulation, language, fluency, and more.
You absolutely can! However, sometimes we will recommend that the child comes back on their own to limit distractions and to allow them to connect with their therapists. We will always review the session with parents during the last 5 minutes as well as offer homework or ideas for carryover at home.
All of our SLP’s have master’s degrees in speech therapy. We are all licensed to practice by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – ASHA. We complete continuing education yearly and keep up-to-date on all of the latest evidenced based research to ensure we are providing the best care to our clients.

Speech Therapy FAQs

From a Parent:

“Colleen has made such a positive impact in my son’s life over the last year. She is so down to earth and approachable which has allowed him to develop a great relationship with her. She always has words of encouragement but pairs them with practical steps to help us move towards our goals. Our whole family has benefited from all the skills and strategies she’s taught us. I went from feeling hopeless about my sons challenges to feeling empowered and optimistic.”

Meet Our Speech + Language Team

Colleen, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA

Colleen Lama, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA is the owner of Lama Pediatric Therapy. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has over ten years of experience in providing pediatric speech and language therapy.

A graduate of Florida State University, Colleen is licensed by the State of Florida and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech–Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Colleen expanded her education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015.

She combines both her speech-language and applied behavioral analysis skills to provide quality therapy services. Colleen has a variety of experience working with the pediatric population in both home and clinic settings. She specializes in early intervention and feeding difficulties. Colleen takes pride in working with children and their families to provide exceptional therapy.

Morgan, M.S. CCC-SLP

Morgan, M.S., CCC-SLP is a sensory certified speech-language pathologist. She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees from The Florida State University and graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University with her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She is our lead SLP. Morgan holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is an Inside Out Level 2 Sensory Certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of a variety of communication disorders secondary to diagnoses related to Autism Spectrum and Sensory Processing Disorders as well as reading and literacy disorders within the pediatric population. Morgan has experience working in the public school system (Pre-K-12), private therapy clinics, and daycares.

She is passionate about thinking outside the box when it comes to functional communication and enjoys working with children and families to improve communication across all settings.

Brittany, M.S. CCC-SLP

Brittany, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a dedicated and compassionate Speech-Language Pathologist. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.

Brittany has experience in providing therapeutic support to children with Autism Spectrum, Down syndrome, neurological impairments, and developmental delays. She’s a strong advocate for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and she is dedicated to supporting individuals through all modes of communication.

Her passion for helping others is reflected in her child-centered approach, where she places great value on creating genuine, trusting relationships with both clients and their families.

Julie, M.S. CCC-SLP

Julie, M.S., CFCC SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist dedicated to fostering a playful and positive environment that helps children grow with confidence.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of South Florida.

Julie has clinical experience working with children with Autism Spectrum, developmental delays, Down syndrome, and genetic disorders. She has worked in private therapy clinics, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and schools.

She utilizes a child-centered, play-based approach ensuring that therapy remains engaging and meaningful. Julie is passionate about working closely with families, teachers, and multidisciplinary team members to meet the individual needs of every child.

Kalli, M.S. CCC-SLP

Katherine “Kalli” Nelson is a speech-language pathologist with 14 years of experience supporting children with diverse communication needs. She earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Georgia Southern University and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Kalli is passionate about helping children build meaningful connections through communication. Her approach is play-based, individualized, and neurodiversity-affirming, with an emphasis on supporting each child’s unique communication style while fostering confidence, language development, and functional communication skills. She has a special passion for early intervention and supporting kiddos on the spectrum and gestalt language processors as they develop meaningful, flexible communication.

Kalli has extensive specialized training and certifications in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), DIR®/Floortime®, Beckman Oral Motor, and Inside Out Sensory Level 2. She is committed to creating engaging, supportive therapy experiences that honor each child’s strengths, interests, and developmental needs.

Kalli believes children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and connected. She values following each child’s lead, creating meaningful opportunities for authentic communication, and partnering with families to support communication development across everyday routines and activities. Her goal is to empower children to communicate in ways that are meaningful to them while helping families recognize and celebrate progress along the way. In her spare time she loves spending time with her husband and son and their two pups!

Kayla, M.S. CF-SLP

Kayla is a Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida State University. She brings a strong passion for pediatric communication and several years of experience working closely with children, which has helped her develop meaningful connections with families and support each child’s individual strengths and needs.

During graduate school, Kayla completed two clinical rotations at Lama Pediatric Therapy and is thrilled to return as a member of the team. She believes that communication looks different for every child and is passionate about helping children discover and embrace their unique communication abilities while building confidence in their skills.

Kayla is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive, and engaging therapy environment where children feel empowered to learn, grow, and thrive. She values family-centered care and enjoys collaborating with caregivers to help children reach their fullest potential both in therapy and in their everyday lives.

Lauren, M.S. CF-SLP

Lauren, M.S., CF-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist passionate about helping children strengthen their communication skills and build confidence in expressing themselves.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Florida.

Lauren has clinical experience working with children across various ages and communication needs, including early intervention, Autism, articulation and phonological disorders, and receptive and expressive language delays. Her experience includes providing services through Florida’s Early Steps program, pediatric private practice, and school-based settings.

Lauren values creating individualized, engaging therapy experiences that build on each child’s strengths and interests. She is passionate about partnering with families to support communication growth and help children develop skills that carry over into their everyday lives.

Natalia, B.A. SLPA

Natalia, B.A., SLPA, is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant with the Lama Pediatric Team. She brings three years of experience working with children across a variety of settings and is passionate about helping each child find their voice and develop strong communication skills.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Natalia is able to support diverse families and build meaningful connections with the children she serves. She is committed to creating a warm, fun, and supportive environment where every child feels confident and capable.

Natalia is grateful to be part of a team that values collaboration, compassion, and progress. She looks forward to continuing to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact alongside her colleagues.

Jennifer, B.A. SLPA

Jennifer is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with several years of experience supporting children as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Her background in ABA therapy has given her a strong foundation in behavior, communication development, and supporting children with diverse learning needs.

Jennifer is passionate about helping children build functional communication skills and gain confidence in their abilities. She will be beginning her graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology as she continues to grow her clinical expertise and expand the impact she can make for the families she serves.

Insurances Accepted for Speech Therapy

We accept Aetna, Tricare, UHC, Sunshine, Cigna, CMS, BCBS, and Simply for speech therapy services.