Karla A.

About Me

Hi! I'm Karla, C-SLPA, a Certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant dedicated to helping children and adults develop meaningful communication skills through compassionate, evidence-based care. I am fluent in English and Spanish and have completed American Sign Language (ASL) Level 1 training, allowing me to support families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. I have specialized training through Northern Speech Services in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) for Autism: From Echolalia to Self-Generated Language, Levels 1 and 2, taught by Marge Blanc. I have also completed extensive training in parent coaching and child-led, play-based intervention through Cari Ebert, a nationally recognized speech-language pathologist and mother of a young man with autism. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to partnering with families and providing individualized, neurodiversity-affirming therapy. For more than 20 years, I have worked with children, and for the past 8 years I have served individuals with special needs in both school and outpatient clinic settings. My primary passion is Early Intervention, but my clinical experience extends across the lifespan, including supporting older adults recovering from stroke and other neurological conditions. In addition to my clinical work, I am an author and an advocate for PANS/PANDAS and autoimmune encephalitis awareness. My goal is to create meaningful, engaging therapy experiences that empower children, adults, and their families to communicate with confidence and reach their fullest potential.

Why Clients Love Working With Me

I know what it feels like to be a language learner who just needs someone to believe in them. Growing up as an English language learner, a wonderful teacher showed me that learning can be encouraging and fun — and that experience shapes every session I lead today. I work hard to build real trust with each child and family I serve. I design sessions around your child's interests, culture, and strengths, so therapy feels less like work and more like play. Families often tell me they appreciate feeling heard, respected, and like a true part of the team.

Programs