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.
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.
Our Staff
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.
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.
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.
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.
Denise Slone graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University in 1990. She is the mother of a son with Attention Deficit Disorder and Central Auditory Processing Disorder. While working in the McLean County Unit 5 Schools, she has worked with "Pre-K at Risk" students as well as students learning English as a second language. She has worked with students of various ages and ability levels during her time as a Teaching Assistant with Unit 5.
Candice Adams, M.A.CCC-SLP/L received her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Communication Arts and Science from Western Illinois University. She also has an endorsement in administration and supervision from Illinois State University. Candice currently works with Preschool through 5th grade students in the Bloomington/Normal School system. She has training in PECS, ABA, and extensive training on Autism from the University Of North Carolina-Raleigh-Durham. Candice also authored a book called "How to Help your Child Get Ahead Spiritually and Educationally" in 2007, and a CD. called "Say It" in 2008 for children who are non-verbal or have limited verbal speech.
Affiliations
Our affiliations include:
Illinois Speech and Hearing Association (ISHA)
American Academy of Private Practitioners in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA)
American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
Member of International Dyslexia Association (Illinois Branch)
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