MEET OUR TEAM
Our experienced team is made up of 5 speech-language pathologists who are specialists in child-led play & social communication, gestalt language development/echolalia, & fluency.
Alexandria Laris Zachos, MS, CCC-SLP/L
Founder & Clinical Director
Speech-Language Pathologist
Alexandria is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Illinois and has been practicing since 2003. Over the past eighteen years, she has provided therapy for all ages in a variety of clinical settings, including public schools, home therapy, acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient clinics. She received her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA in 2003 and her Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2001.
In both November 2017 and 2018 Alexandria presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing (ASHA) Convention in Los Angeles, CA, and Boston, MA on Natural Language Acquisition and delayed echolalia. She has an on-demand webinar available for CEUs through ASHA on this topic. She is passionate about educating others on gestalt language processors and how to treat delayed echolalia.
Alexandria created Meaningfulspeech.com in 2021 to educate SLPs, professionals, and parents on gestalt language processing, echolalia, and the step-by-step approach to helping support a child from delayed echolalia to original language using the Natural Language Acquisition framework/protocol developed by Marge Blanc (2012). Meaningful Speech provides self-paced learning through educational modules, handouts, and monthly webinars featuring experts in the field for both parents and professionals.
Alexandria is an international speaker and often presents on gestalt language processing, echolalia and NLA both virtually and in person. She has provided trainings, webinars and has spoken to clinics, school districts, speech-language associations, and parent groups.
Alexandria is also a fluent Greek speaker and is available to provide therapy and evaluations in Greek. She has completed several bilingual Greek-English evaluations for many Chicagoland school districts.
In her free time she enjoys reading and going on adventures with her husband and two daughters.
Alexandria's specialized training includes:
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NLA Trained Clinician
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Natural Language Acquisition In Autism: Echolalia To Self-Generated Language
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Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Program
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Visualizing and Verbalizing Program by Nancy Bell
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Greenspan Floortime approach
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Using SCERTS to Identify Evidence-Based Practices for Children with Autism
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Person-Centered Assessment and Treatment for Adults Who Stutter
National ASHA Presentations:
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Echolalia and Gestalt Language Processing in Children: It’s Not Just About Autism, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Los Angeles 2017
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Language Sample Analysis: Guiding Treatment For Gestalt Language Processors With and Without Autism, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston 2018
Meaghan Moriarty, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, BCS-SCF
Speech-Language Pathologist
Meaghan Moriarty is a licensed neurodiversity affirming speech language pathologist with over 18 years experience from birth through adulthood. She is a credentialed Early Intervention Therapist and Evaluator; Board Certified Specialist in Child Language; and a Board Certified Specialist in Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders. She has worked across a variety of clinical settings: home, hospital, school, clinic, and virtual. Meaghan received her undergraduate degree from Marquette University and a master's degree from Northern Illinois University.
Being a parent of an autistic child, Meaghan has first-hand experience supporting a neurodivergent child. She firmly believes in connection over compliance; presuming competence; and that all communication is valid. Meaghan strives to provide individualized assessment and treatment to ensure every child receives effective support for their unique communication needs.
In her spare time, Meaghan enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons exploring parks, museums, and new experiences.
Meaghan’s specialized trainings include:
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NLA Trained Clinician
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Natural Language Acquisition In Autism: Echolalia To Self-Generated Language
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AAC for Gestalt Language Processors Course for SLPs
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Play Project
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DIR Basic Certificate
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SCERTS: A Comprehensive Educational Framework for Autism
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Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism
Abby Lynch, MS, CCC-SLP/L
Speech-Language Pathologist
Clinical Manager
Abby is a licensed speech-language pathologist who has over 10 years of experience working with individuals aged 1-21 to achieve their communication goals. Abby has a passion for working with children on the autism spectrum as well as with those who stutter. She has worked in both therapeutic day school settings and private clinics. She received her Master of Science degree from Rush University Medical Center, holds a certificate of clinical competence (CCC) and is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associated (ASHA).
Abby places an emphasis on finding each client’s motivation, whether that be a special interest or a specific goal, to guide her therapy. Focusing on fun and maintaining client engagement, Abby and her clients partner together to achieve the goals they desire. Her history working on a variety of multidisciplinary teams has equipped her with the skills to collaborate across disciplines. She strongly values input from all stakeholders (e.g., school team, parents, etc.) in her clients’ lives and takes a whole-team, collaborative approach to therapy. Abby believes everyone deserves the tools they need to become competent communicators and to develop meaningful relationships across the lifespan.
Abby is originally from New England, but is happily settled with her family in Naperville, IL. In her free time, Abby enjoys skiing in the winter, playing tennis in the summer, and everyday adventures with her two young children.
Abby’s specialized trainings include:
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NLA Trained Clinician
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Natural Language Acquisition in Autism: Echolalia to Self-Generated Language
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Lidcombe Program for Early Childhood Stuttering
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Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Programs
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Collaborative & Proactive Solutions/Collaborative Problem Solving (Dr. Ross W. Greene)
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Sarah Ward Executive Function Interventions
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SCERTS: A Comprehensive Educational Framework for Autism
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Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
Maison Tollas, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
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Maison is a neurodiversity affirming speech therapist, licensed in Illinois and California. She holds a certificate of clinical competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She completed her undergraduate studies at Elmhurst University and graduate studies at Northern Illinois University.
Maison has worked with individuals across the lifespan through telehealth, adult outpatient, pediatric outpatient, skilled nursing, and home health settings. She has experience with assessment and treatment of cognitive-communication, dysphagia, dysarthria, acquired and childhood apraxia of speech, speech sounds, aphasia, alexia, expressive/receptive language, gestalt language processing, and AAC. Maison has experience with many different speech generating devices and access methods including direct selection, eye gaze, and switch.
Maison utilizes a strengths-based approach to therapy. She prioritizes sensory and emotional regulation, authenticity, well-being, connection, client-directed intervention, and self-determination. She works to gain new approaches, tools, and resources to best support her clients.
Maison’s specialized trainings include:
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NLA Trained Clinician
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AAC for Gestalt Language Processors Course for SLPs
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SCERTS Model
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Learn Play Thrive Approach to Autism
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The ALERT program
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Fundamentals of Trauma-Informed Care
About me: I love ABBA, spicy food, frogs, and the color green. I enjoy playing The Sims, deeply researching new topics and interests, and caring for my carnivorous plants!
Lily Hohman, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lily is a neurodiversity affirming speech language pathologist licensed in the state of Illinois.
She holds a certificate of clinical competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa and graduate studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Lily is passionate about being mindful of the whole child and focusing on sensory regulation prior to and during intervention. She believes that all communication is valid and that communication looks different for every child. Lily aims to provide individualized treatment that fits the specific needs of the child. She values client connection and strives to build trust with clients as well as their families.
Lily has experience with the following areas: expressive and receptive language, pragmatic language, stuttering, cognitive communication, executive functioning, AAC, stuttering, aphasia, dysphagia, and speech sound disorders. Lily is passionate about AAC and parent education surrounding AAC devices. She has experience with a variety of high-tech AAC programs including TouchChat, NovaChat, LAMP Words for Life, Accent, and Proloquo2Go.
Lily’s specialized trainings include:
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NLA Trained Clinician
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AAC for Gestalt Language Processors Course for SLP
About me: I am from the Chicago suburbs but live in Chicago currently and love trying new restaurants all over the area! In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, playing pickleball, and reading.