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OUR MISSION
Speech & Learning Connections is dedicated to providing the most
current, research-based
programs
and
services for children and adolescents
who struggle with a variety of developmental, communication and
learning difficulties. We are dedicated to providing
solutions that allow children to reach their full potential in
all areas of life.
Our intensive programs address the underlying issues which
can make communication and learning difficult. Our
professional staff is certified and maintain extensive
continuing education to insure the highest quality services
available in the area. Most importantly, our programs get
results. Read our
testimonials.
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OWNER/DIRECTOR |
Basha Ontiveros, M.S., CCC-SLP received
her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology at
Illinois State University. Her areas of
specialty are
auditory/language processing
disorders and reading instruction. Basha is
trained in several
programs, including the Barton
Reading and Spelling System, Orton-Gillingham
reading method. Basha also completed
post-graduate coursework in diagnosing
dyslexia
and regularly tests children for this
disorder. Basha is the parent of a child
diagnosed with
Auditory Processing Disorder and
works as an
advocate for parents of children
with learning and communication disabilities.
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OUR STAFF |
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Megan
Lapping is our office manager and
also acts as a coach for our Fast ForWord
program. She attended Eastern Illinois
University for undergraduate studies in
accounting and received her Bachelor of Arts
degree from Columbia College Chicago. She also
has a post-graduate certificate in graphic
design. |
Wendy Iverson received
her Bachelors of Science in Education at the
University of South Dakota in 1992. She taught
as an early childhood special education teacher
at Chester East Lincoln Elementary School in
Lincoln, Illinois. Wendy is trained in an
Orton-Gillingham reading method (Barton Reading
and Spelling System) and in Handwriting without
Tears. She holds a type 04 teaching certificate
from the Illinois State Board of Education.
Wendy is an active member and leader of a
support group for parents of children with
dyslexia and reading disabilities in the
Bloomington-Normal area. Wendy is the parent of
a child with severe dyslexia and has extensive
knowledge on parent advocacy and special
education law. |
Devon Lovell, B.S. from Northwestern
University. She has training in
multisensory approach to reading and math, with
concentration on Orton-Gillingham reading
instruction. She is the Director of
Community Tutoring in Chicago. She has
taught K-8 students facing reading and math
challenges employing multisensory approach.
Currently a member of Learning Disabilities
Association of America and International
Dyslexia Association. |
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Sara Holderby,
M.S., CCC-SLP received her Bachelors of Science
degree in Special Education-Deaf and Hard of
Hearing from Illinois State University in
Normal, Illinois. She taught children who are
deaf and hard of hearing before returning to
school to get her Masters degree. She received
her Masters of Science in Speech-Language
Pathology from Marquette University in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sara works with children
aged pre-K through high school. She has
provided speech and language therapy to children
at Speech and Learning Connections since October
2008. |
Mallory Boehm
graduated Cum Laude from ISU with a Bachelor of
Science degree is Special Education, endorsed in
Reading. She teaches the Strategies for
Achieving Independent Lives for Students (S.A.I.L.S.)
program for Livingston County Special Services.
Mallory has recently passed the State of
Illinois “Highly Qualified Educators Exam”. She
is trained in an Orton-Gillingham reading method
and is currently working on becoming certified
in the Susan Barton Reading and Spelling program
as well as the “Writing with Structure and
Style” program. She has tutored at Speech &
Learning Connections for over 4 years. |
Kimberlyn Cross
received an Associate of Arts degree in
professional education in 2008 from Highland
College. She is currently a senior at Illinois
State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science
degree in Special Education. Kimberlyn is the
sister of a child with a learning disability and
she tutored at-risk children in reading and math
as a member of AmeriCorps for two years. She is
trained in Susan Barton’s Orton-Gillingham based
reading and Spelling Program and is currently
tutoring students at Speech and Learning
Connections. |
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Nannette
Tanaka, M.S., received her B.S. and M.S.
degrees in Special Education from Illinois State
University. She has taught pre-K through high
school students with all types of special needs.
She is the parent of a son with Attention
Deficit Disorder.
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Christine Rodeghero,
M.S., CCC-SLP received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Psychology from Bradley University in
2000. She received her Master of Science degree
in Speech Pathology from Illinois State
University in 2005. Christine worked with
students in kindergarten through fourth grade in
Plainfield, Illinois as well as with adult
rehabilitation patients for two years. She
currently works primarily with grade school
students. |
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OUR CONSULTANTS
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Kim Williamson, MAED/SPE, and a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) provides
Applied
Behavior Analysis services for
children with behavioral, developmental, and
learning disorders. She is the owner
of
Circles
Behavior Consultation Services. |
AFFILIATIONS
Our affiliations include:
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