The Speech and Language Center has services for children, adults and seniors with developmental disorders and specializes in treating individuals with Autism. The clinic is open to the public and has professional, experienced and caring therapists who provide evaluation and treatment of a variety of communication difficulties. The clinic takes a holistic approach in treating individuals and offers Floor Time Therapy, Behavior Modification and Sensory Integration when working with children with communication disorders.

Villa’s Hjelte-Phillips Speech and Language Center has professional, experienced and caring therapists who provide evaluation and treatment with a variety of communication disorders. Our therapists have extensive experience working with individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The center serves Villa students as well as the general public for all ages.

Therapists utilize a number of techniques such as FloorTime Therapy, Behavior Modification, and Sensory Integration when working with children with developmental disabilities. An individualized therapy plan is created with each person’s specific needs in mind.

Villa believes in a total communication/multimodal approach that focuses on the individual’s needs in order to assist them in becoming functional communicators.

Various techniques include:

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Sign Language
• Augmentative Communication
• Oral Motor Interventions
• Behavior Modification
• Sensory Integration
• FloorTime Therapy

Villa also offers Music Therapy as a specialized program within our Speech & Language Program.

Music Therapy is an established health profession where music is provided as a powerful and non-threatening medium, through which unique outcomes are possible. Music therapy in special education provides a unique variety of music experiences in an intentional and developmentally appropriate manner to effect changes in a student’s behavior and facilitate development of communication, social/emotional, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive skills. In addition to building functional and adaptive skills, music therapy employs nonverbal interactions to enhance quality of life and build relationships; between a qualified therapist and student; between one student and another; between student and education staff; and between the music and the participants.

Villa also provides training in the therapeutic use of music to support communication and development for early childhood and special educators, as well as parents and related professionals.

Villa's Speech Team:

Gwendolyn Meier, M.A., CCC-SLP, MT-BC
Director of the Speech & Language Center
Speech-Language Pathologist, Music Therapist

Sharon Hendricks, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Melanie Gingerich, M.S., SLP/CF
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Fellow

Frances Sands, SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Lisa McIntire, B.A., SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Drisana Medina, SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Cassandra Helland, SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Barbi Martin, SLPA
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

FUNDING

Villa Esperanza Services is a non-public school (NPS) with contracted services with school districts and regional centers. Private-pay options are also available. Please call 626/449-2919 ext. 145 for details.

For more information please contact (626) 795-8355 or info@villaesperanzaservices.org

Speech & Language Staff Honored