Kidmunicate Staff

Pam Drennen, M.S., CCC-SLP is the Founder and Managing Director of Clinical Services at Kidmunicate. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. Pam developed a strong foundation in working with children with Down syndrome during her graduate training, where she was awarded the Aaron and Lillie Straus Grant and worked at the Loyola College Speech and Language Clinic. She continued this focus during her fellowship at the McAuley School for Exceptional Children and has since built extensive experience in this area. Her passion for this work is deeply personal, inspired in part by her cousin with Down syndrome.

Deb Sampson, Founder and Consultant. Deb has dedicated many years to providing services to children with special needs.  She has provided one-to-one intervention to children in need of Behavioral Rehabilitative Services as a model for parents and school personnel, liaising with a variety of professionals, including doctors, therapists (including speech-language therapists), psychologists, and social workers.  Deb spent several years as Director of an Early Learning Center, where her responsibilities included administration, staff management, communication, and compliance duties.  She has taught in the classroom, on the field, and in the gym. Deb helped found Kidmunicate and developed all the operational procedures as the Executive Director, then President. She has retired, but remains on the staff as an Executive Consultant.

Deb has a BA in Organizational Communications from Farleigh Dickinson University. She has been married to her pilot husband for 40 years, who is an Air Force veteran. She has two grown children.

Eileen Krieg, M.S., CCC-SLP grew up in the Midwest where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois. She then moved out to the east coast to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. During her graduate studies, Eileen had the opportunity to work in a variety of therapy settings including outpatient, early intervention, and both public and private schools. She also completed a master’s thesis entitled: “A Systematic Review of Treatment Options for Children Who Stutter”, which was presented at the 2011 New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention. Upon graduation, Eileen received an “Excellence in Research” award for her work on a variety of research endeavors.

Eileen is knowledgeable when it comes to working with children of all ages and stages of development. She has a wide range of evaluation and treatment experience including the areas of: Autism, genetic disorders, apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, fluency, auditory processing disorders, developmental delay, expressive/receptive language disorders, social skills deficits, and augmentative/alternative communication needs.

Eileen is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Eillen was the first Speech-Language pathologist to join the Kidmunicate staff. She lives in West Chester, Pa with her husband and two daughters.

Maddie Ferrero, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist from the Philadelphia suburbs. She earned her Master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Loyola University Maryland in 2022. Maddie has experience working in both nonpublic and public school settings in Maryland, where she provided speech and language services to children with a variety of communication needs.

Maddie has extensive experience supporting children with autism and has a background in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She uses a play-based, child-centered therapy approach to create engaging and meaningful learning opportunities while promoting functional communication skills. Maddie is also PROMPT certified, allowing her to incorporate tactile cues to support speech sound production and motor planning during therapy sessions.

Sandi Spuhler, M.S., CCC-SLP received her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Syracuse University and her M.S. in Speech and Language Pathology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She specializes in pediatric and adolescent speech-language evaluations and therapy with clients ranging from two to seventeen years of age. She served as a Speech-Language Pathologist for a New York City public elementary and middle school for six years and has been working in private practice since 2010.

During October 2016, Sandi completed Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Clinical Training Program which afforded her the opportunity to enhance her ability to address the treatment and educational needs of individuals with a broad range of social and communication challenges. Sandi is passionate about helping her clients understand and navigate the social world around them.

Sandi currently provides speech and language-related services for a Pennsylvania Approved Private School for Special Education. Sandi is Pennsylvania licensed and ASHA certified. Sandi was the second speech-language pathologist to join the Kidmunicate staff.

Erin Giovanni, M.S., CCC-SLP received her bachelors degree from Loyola University, Baltimore, MD and her graduate degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA. During her graduate studies, Erin developed clinical skills in both out-patient and school settings, where she treated children with articulation, phonology, and language based disorders. Erin completed clinical internships at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, where she developed clinical skills in the areas of feeding disorders and dysphagia across the life span. Erin pursued her interest in feeding and swallowing after her graduate studies when she worked at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. There, Erin evaluated and treated patients ranging from infants to adults with a variety of communication and swallowing disorders. Erin worked extensively with pediatrics in the NICU, nursery, and PICU, as well as in the out-patient setting, where she provided clinical and instrumental feeding and swallowing assessments and therapy. Erin has continued to expand her knowledge by taking additional coursework in the areas of pediatric feeding disorders and dysphagia.

Erin left the hospital setting to raise her three children and is now excited to join the Kidmunicate team. Erin is a member of the American Speech and Language Hearing Association and holds New Jersey and Pennsylvania licenses.

Jayna Becker, M.A., CCC-SLP received her Bachelor’s of Health Science from the University of Florida and her graduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Temple University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.

Jayna has worked in a variety of clinical settings including private practice, public schools, charter schools, and Early Intervention (both home-based and preschool). In addition to working at Kidmunicate, Jayna currently works for the Philadelphia School district and was the Speech Coordinator for an overnight Special Needs Camp where she oversaw graduate student clinicians.

Jayna enjoys working with a variety of populations and has evaluation and treatment experience in the areas of Autism, AAC, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, speech sound disorders, fluency, Social Communication, early literacy, and overall language development. She also has experience working with individuals with Down syndrome and Prader Willi Syndrome. Jayna has received extensive continuing education in the areas of AAC, along with courses on Selective Mutism, counseling families, literacy development, and Social Language treatment with the school-age

Jessica Robinson, M.S., CCC-SLP completed her undergraduate studies (B.S.) at Stockton University in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in French and a graduate degree at Syracuse University (2010). She is ASHA certified and holds a license to practice in Pennsylvania. She also holds her Level II PDE Instructional Certificate in PK-12, Speech and Language Impaired.

Following her graduate studies, Jessica has worked in a variety of settings including; inpatient hospitals, intermediate units, school districts, and charter schools amassing experience within the lifespan. Most recently, Jessica has spent time in the public school systems, working with children diagnosed with articulation disorders, phonological disorders, intellectual disabilities, apraxia, fluency, feeding, AAC, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and genetic disorders. Jessica has served as a mentor for new and prospective SLP’s, an SLP-A supervisor, and an Augmentative and Alternative Communication consultant for schools.

Jessica believes that given the right interventions, support, and environment, every client can make progress towards their goals and that everyone on the team has an important voice. Jessica has a variety of certifications and training including; VB-MAPP, visual phonics, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), structured teaching, and Universal Design to Instruction. Most recently she received certification for Myofunctional Therapy via SimonSays Speech for completing the Tongue Tips, Tiny Tongue Tips, and Thumbs Up! programs as well as Gestalt Language Processing/NLA framework and Augmentative Alternative Communication+Gestalt Language Processing from Meaningful Speech.

Jessica is looking forward to helping your child meet goals and make meaningful progress!

Erika Keller, M.A., CCC-SLP completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology at West Chester University. She has spent her career thus far working in public and non-public schools throughout Chester County. She lives in West Chester with her husband and two young sons.

Erika provides evaluation and treatment for various speech/language and communication disorders. She has experience working with children with autism, developmental delays, fluency disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders, social skills deficits, and augmentative/alternative communication needs. Erika prioritizes building a strong connection with her patients which allows her to better understand their unique needs and to build an effective therapy program. Her therapy sessions are filled with positive energy, movement, and play!

Erika is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Kelly Kurnz, M.A., CCC-SLP received her B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Penn State University in 2012. After teaching intensive special education for three years, she developed a passion for communication in the classroom and decided to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. She received her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from West Chester University in 2018, where she completed practicums working with students and adults with a variety of diagnoses including autism, developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries, and a variety of communication disorders.

She has been providing speech-language services for students grades K-8 in several schools throughout Montgomery County, treating a variety of diagnoses including articulation and language disorders, fluency disorders, and pragmatic language disorders. Her therapy sessions are full of positive energy and are enhanced by her knowledge gained as a classroom teacher.

Kelly is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Colleen Arehart, M.A., CCC-SLP  received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University, with a major in Psychology and minors in theater and Spanish. She graduated with the distinctions of Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She studied abroad in Spain to deepen her understanding of Spanish language and culture. Colleen earned her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language-Hearing from
Temple University. During her graduate studies, she worked as a graduate student research assistant in Temple’s Bilingual Language Laboratory, supporting a study related to early literacy skills in Spanish-English bilingual speakers. Her graduate practicum experiences included an adult rehabilitation hospital, a private school for children with dyslexia and other learning differences, and a Head Start preschool. Her professional experiences include work in outpatient therapy, a private school for children with language learning differences, and a public school during extended school year (ESY) programs. She has also enjoyed supervising
graduate student clinicians and new professionals completing the clinical fellowship year (CFY).

Colleen has experience evaluating and treating a variety of speech and language needs, including articulation and phonology, receptive language, vocabulary and word-retrieval, expressive language, morphology, syntax, pragmatic (social) language, figurative language, reading comprehension, and writing development. She has experience working with children with language learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism and is trained in several LETRS modules. Colleen has specialized interests in vocabulary, syntax, and abstract language skills, including inference and problem-solving skills.

Colleen is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband and their three children in Montgomery County.

Cassie Hatala M.A., CCC-SLP, completed her undergraduate studies at Temple University and graduate studies in Speech-Language Pathology at West Chester University. She has spent her career thus far working in early intervention, preschools, outpatient clinics, and private practices. She lives in Southampton with her husband, son, daughter, and 2 dogs.

Cassie provides evaluation and treatment for various speech/language and communication disorders. She has experience working with children with autism, developmental delays, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive/receptive language disorders, social skills deficits, and augmentative/alternative communication needs. Cassie uses a child-led approach to build strong connections with her patients. She enjoys building connections with families to make goals functional for their day-to-day life.

Cassie is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Emily Fell, M.A., CCC-SLP, received a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Marywood University and a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from West Chester University. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Following her graduate studies, Emily worked in both public and private schools with grades K-12. She has experience evaluating and treating children with a variety of diagnoses, including articulation and phonological disorders, expressive/receptive language delay, and pragmatic language disorders. She also has experience working with children with Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), intellectual disabilities, fluency disorders, and autism.

Emily enforces a child-led approach to therapy and strives to build a strong rapport with clients and their families. Her patient and nurturing personality helps create a positive and supportive environment for all her clients to flourish!

Melana Paternoster, M.S., CCC-SLP is a passionate and dedicated Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Master’s Degree from Saint Mary’s College – Notre Dame, Indiana.

Melana specializes in evaluating and treating Gestalt Language Processors (GLP) using the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework. She holds a consulting position with Marge Blanc, the founder of the Communication Development Center (CDC) and researcher behind NLA for GLPs. Other areas of expertise include articulation and phonological disorders, language delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), sensory integration, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Melana believes that every child has the potential to communicate effectively and strives to create a positive and engaging therapeutic environment.

With a strong focus on individualized treatment plans, Melana collaborates closely with families and caregivers to ensure that therapy is tailored to each child’s unique needs and strengths. She emphasizes the importance of play-based therapy, integrating fun and interactive activities to motivate children and make learning enjoyable.

In addition to her clinical work, Melana is committed to raising awareness about speech and language development, specifically with Gestalt Language Development. She frequently conducts workshops and presentations at national (AHSA), state (PSHA), and community-based levels. Her presentations are tailored for parents and educators, providing valuable resources and strategies to support children’s communication skills at home and in the community.

Melana is a firm believer in the power of teamwork and often collaborates with other professionals, including occupational therapists, teachers, and other team members to provide comprehensive support for her clients. Her warm and approachable demeanor helps create a trusting relationship with children and their families, fostering a positive therapeutic experience.

Samantha Nelson, M.S., CCC-SLP is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the State of Pennsylvania. She joined the Kidmunicate family in September 2021 and currently works in the Wayne office.

Samantha has a variety of certifications and trainings including: PROMPT trained, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing trained, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy trained, VB-MAPP trained, and Gestalt Language Processing trained. She also holds her Level II PDE Instructional Certificate in PK-12, Speech and Language Impaired. Samantha is knowledgeable in working with children with autism, developmental delays, fluency disorders, phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, expressive/ receptive language disorders, social skills deficits, and augmentative/alternative communication needs. She has a functional approach to therapy and enjoys working alongside parents to formulate plans to best support the children she works with. Samantha uses a total language approach to communication, finding and using the right communication methods for each child.

Sarah Reed, M.S., CCC-SLP received her bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from LaSalle University. Sarah has experience working with children from birth through age twenty-one in a variety of settings, including an outpatient center, a K-8 private special education school, and with preschool special education students throughout Montgomery County both individually and in groups.

Sarah has experience evaluating and treating children with a variety of diagnoses, including expressive/receptive language disorders, articulation, and phonological processing disorders, expressive language delay, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and developmental language disorder. She has worked with a variety of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and encourages utilizing a total communication approach that accepts and uses all forms of communication. She is currently completing continuing education related to the Natural Language Acquisition framework for working with children who communicate with delayed echolalia. Sarah is a proponent of child-led and play-based therapies whenever possible.

Sarah is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. She lives in King of Prussia, PA with her husband and son.

Danielle Johnson, M.A., CCC-SLP, received her bachelor’s degree from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach in Speech-Language Pathology.

After earning her master’s degree, Danielle lived in California practicing speech-language pathology in a private clinic for 3 years before moving back to the east coast where she has worked in the Delaware Public Education System (K-12).

Danielle has a passion for working with children and brings positive energy to each session. Danielle has experience evaluating and treating children with a variety of diagnoses including articulation/phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language deficits, pragmatic language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Down syndrome.

Danielle is a licensed speech-language pathologist in both Pennsylvania and Delaware. She is also an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 👏

Caitlyn Jones, M.A., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist in PA and DE. After receiving her B.A. in Elementary and Special Education she received her M.A in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University. She recently moved back to Chester County after a decade of working in clinic and school based settings in Washington DC.

She has experience treating a broad range of clients including AAC, expressive/receptive language delays, Autism, childhood apraxia of speech, and articulation and phonological disorders.

She holds training certifications in DIR/Floortime to support emerging communicators through play based therapy, Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), Dynamic Tactile Temporal Cueing (DTTC), and she is an ADHD-Certified Clinical Service Provider.

Caitlin is a dedicated disability advocate and cares deeply about providing her clients the access to communicate their wants and needs! Her motivation and strength comes from her incredible cousin Amber, who taught her that Autism is a superpower.

Natalie Miller, M.S. , CCC-SLP received her Bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and her Master’s degree at The Pennsylvania State University. She has experience working with children who have a variety of communication needs, such as expressive/receptive language, social/pragmatic language, and articulation in an outpatient pediatric clinic and school settings. She also has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Gestalt Language Processing, developmental delays, phonology disorders, and augmentative/alternative communication needs.

Given her own experience with speech therapy as a child, Natalie understands the importance of support and resources required to communicate so everyone can reach their fullest potential. She is known for being caring, collaborative, and an advocate for her clients and their families. Natalie is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Given her own experience with speech therapy as a child, Natalie understands the importance of support and resources required to communicate so everyone can reach their fullest potential. She is known for being caring, collaborative, and an advocate for her clients and their families. Natalie is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Renee Vardouniotis, M.A., CCC-SLP, received her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Pennsylvania State University (2000) and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University in 2002. Following her graduate studies, Renee worked in public schools on Long Island, NY, for 13 years and worked in Early Intervention. In 2015, she moved back to Collegeville, PA, with her husband and 2 children and worked at Tredyffrin-Easttown School District for 8 years. Renee has experience evaluating and treating children of all ages, with a variety of diagnoses including Down Syndrome, autism, expressive/receptive language disorders, articulation and motor speech disorders, pragmatic language disorders, and developmental delays. She also has experience providing teletherapy.   

Renee is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and is an active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  

Amanda Petersen, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed in the State of Pennsylvania. She joined the Kidmunicate family in January 2025 and currently works in the Lancaster office.

Amanda also holds her Level II PDE Instructional Certificate in PK-12, Speech and Language Impaired and works in an elementary school.

Amanda is knowledgeable in working with children with autism, intellectual disabilities, articulation/phonological disorders, expressive/ receptive language disorders, literacy skills, and pragmatic language needs. She has a child-led approach to therapy and enjoys working alongside parents to formulate plans to best support the children she works with.

Leah Lofgren, M.A., CCC-SLP, received a B.A in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a M.A in Speech Language Pathology from West Chester University. She is a licensed speech language pathologist in the state of Pennsylvania and active certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 

Following graduate school, Leah began her career as a speech language pathologist in the public school setting where she currently provides services to both regular education and special education students in both the elementary and high school settings. She has experience evaluating and treating children with a wide range of diagnoses, including articulation and phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, fluency disorders, pragmatic language needs, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder.

Leah strives to create an environment where her clients feel comfortable, supported, and at ease. She loves building connections with her clients and their families and believes that her humor and easy going personality help to establish a supportive environment where her clients can flourish. Leah continues to enjoy growing as an SLP, learning new skills, and gaining experience and exposure to new and diverse populations.

Amy takes many plans including Aetna, Blue Cross, and Cigna. If you have questions before scheduling, feel free to call Amy directly at (484) 919-1027 or email amy@amythelc.com for more information.  I also teach Tummytime! Method and Infant Massage classes.  I look forward to meeting you and your baby.