Aleisha VanAmburg, MS CCC-SLP, Prompt Trained
Aleisha VanAmburg, MS CCC-SLP is a Florida state licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds her Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC’s) through ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association). Mrs. VanAmburg obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of South Florida. She began her career in 1997 working in the public school system as a speech language pathologist in an elementary with a large population of children with special needs. In 2002, she expanded her clinical skills to include working in a private outpatient clinic for twelve years treating pediatric clients with a variety of delays and disorders. Mrs. VanAmburg continued her career as a clinical instructor in the graduate program for Speech Language Pathology at the University of South Florida (Go BULLS!) for three years until realizing her dream of opening her own private practice with a focus on family centered intervention.
Natalie Soueidan , MS CCC-SLP, Prompt Trained
Natalie is a Florida state licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds her Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC’s) through the American Speech and Hearing Association. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida and her Master’s Degree from the University of South Florida. Natalie has worked in a variety of settings including Pasco County schools, private practice and as a clinical supervisor in both private practice and for the USF Friend’s Group. Having raised a child with apraxia of speech and language impairment, Natalie is passionate about working with and advocating for children and their families.
Lindsay Kallam, MS CCC-SLP, Prompt Trained
Lindsay Kallam MS CCC-SLP is a Florida state licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds her Certification of Clinical Competence through ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association). Lindsay originally earned a Bachelors of Science from Bridgewater College in Sociology and French until finding her true passion, speech therapy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from UF, (Go Gators!) and her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from James Madison University. She began her career working in the elementary school setting then transitioned to the private practice setting. She is PROMPT trained since November of 2019 and has a passion for working with children with Apraxia of Speech and motor planning difficulties. She has experience treating a variety of speech and language disorders including but not limited to receptive/expressive language disorders, fluency, CAS, speech sound disorders, pragmatic language disorders and ASD. Lindsay is excited to be a member of the Family First Therapy team!
Alexandra Davis, OTR/L
Alexandra is a Florida state-licensed Occupational Therapist. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of South Florida and continued her education earning a Master’s of Occupational Therapy at Advent Health University. In addition to working on our team for several years, Alexandra also works as an early steps provider, servicing the birth-3 years old population, and at a hospital in neuro rehabilitation. Alexandra is passionate about applying the knowledge and expertise she has gained from her vast experience across multiple settings.
She is passionate about helping children participate in all aspects of their lives to the fullest extent. She has worked with a wide array of diagnosis including ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Autism, Brachial Plexus Injuries, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Developmental Delays, Down Syndrome, Genetic/Chromosomal Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Stroke, Sensory Processing Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Alexandra has supported children of all ages in achieving developmental milestones by using evidence-based therapy interventions and a family-centered approach.
Jennifer John, OTR/L
Jennifer is an Occupational therapist with over 24 years experience as well as a mother of three children. She completed her undergraduate degree at William Patterson College in Wayne NJ, and then wet on to get her degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA . Clinical internships included a pediatric rotation at Delaware Curative Workshop and a rotation at Thomas Jefferson Hospital acute trauma rehabilitation unit. While living in Philadelphia, her initial work experience was at a level 1, subacute center that addressed a multitude of acute traumas, including car accidents, spinal cord injuries, strokes, cardiac ICU and a burn unit. After moving to Florida 15 years ago she became fully vested in pediatric sensory integration and has been working with kids ever since. Pediatrics is truly her passion.
Alexis Swartz OTR/L
Alexis is a Florida state-licensed occupational therapist. She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida in Sport and Exercise Science and continued her education earning a Masters degree from Nova Southeastern University in Occupational Therapy. Alexis completed her clinical internships at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in their pediatric outpatient center and James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in the Acute Care department. Prior to her education, she served as a teacher’s aide at the Baudhuin Preschool serving children with Autism and the Conductive Education Center of Orlando serving children with cerebral palsy. She also has experience working with children with Zika Virus, Tourette syndrome, ADHD, stroke, developmental delays and down syndrome. She is passionate about pediatrics and occupational therapy as a whole and believes her calling is to encourage and assist children in reaching their fullest potential through play!
Katia Cardona, MS CF-SLP, Prompt Trained
Katia is a Florida state licensed bilingual speech therapist in her clinical fellowship year. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Florida State University (Go Noles!) and her Master’s Degree from North Carolina Central University where she completed a specialized track in bilingualism and special education. Katia worked as a speech-language pathologist assistant in the Pasco County School system before returning to earn her Master’s. While working with toddlers-school age children in the school system and in various externships, Katia gained experience working with receptive and expressive language impairments, social pragmatic impairments, articulation disorders, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. Katia is passionate about helping children reach their fullest potential!
Carly Scallan, MS CF-SLP, Prompt Trained
Carly is a Florida state licensed speech-language pathologist in her clinical fellowship year. She completed her undergraduate degree at Florida State University and her graduate degree at the University of South Florida. During her graduate program, Carly gained experience working with children from early childhood to school age with hearing loss, childhood apraxia of speech, autism spectrum disorder, and speech and language impairments. She believes in incorporating speech and language skills into everyday routines and play and is so excited to have the opportunity to work one-on-one with patients to provide this individualized care. Carly is passionate about collaborating with and including families to facilitate functional means of communication for all children!
Nelly Escobar, SLPA, ITDS
Nelly Escobar, SLPA, ITDS is a bilingual Florida state licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She is also credentialed as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist through Children’s Medical Services. Mrs. Escobar provides both bilingual speech therapy services in our outpatient clinic and early intervention services in the natural environment. Mrs. Escobar is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she received a Master of Arts in Special Education. Prior to obtaining her Master’s degree, she received a Bachelor’s Degree in speech pathology from State University of New York at New Paltz. She has extensive experience working with children ages birth to school age who exhibit a variety of delays in disorders in the pediatric population. We are excited that Mrs. Escobar has joined our family!
Melissa Guidry, BS Ed. ITDS
Melissa Guidry is a certified Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist through Children’s Medical Services. She is also a state certified early childhood educator. She is a graduate of the University of Memphis College of Education. Melissa has years of experience working with children from various backgrounds and exceptionalities, teaching first grade, kindergarten and has spent several years working with preschoolers and their families in the Head Start Program. It is through Head Start where she discovered her passion for Providing support to families of young children. Melissa is a mother of 3 and received early intervention services for 2 of her children. She is dedicated to providing high quality support for children and their families.
Natalia Lavallee, Client Coordinator and Billing
Natalia Lavallee has been in the therapy field for over fifteen years working with billing, authorizations and client care coordination. Natalia is detail orientated and passionate about her work. She enjoys helping clients and their families access the necessary services to improve their overall development. Our clients love to see Mrs. Natalia’s smiling face whenever they visit the clinic. Natalia is a huge support to the entire Family First Therapy team!
Abby Madlener, ITDS
Abby is a credentialed Infant Toddler Development Specialist through Children’s Medical Services. She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Abby has years of experience working with children preschool through school age on the Autism Spectrum as a behavioral technician in the classroom setting. She also has experience working with children battling critical illness in the hospital setting. She is passionate about providing early intervention services to children with developmental disabilities and delays and their families.
To schedule an appointment, please call 813-848-0341 or send an email to aleisha@familyfirsttherapyinc.com.