Emilia's Kids


	SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

	TREATMENT METHODS & SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

	ABOUT OUR STAFF

	EMPLOYMENTS OPPORTUNITIES

	GETTING STARTED

	EARLY INTERVENTION

	RECOMMENDATION LINKS

	DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKLIST

	PHOTO TOUR

	EK POLICY AND PROCEDURE

ABOUT OUR STAFF

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Clinically, Emilia’s Kids therapists are among the best trained. We supply experienced supervisors available on a daily basis. Tanya M. Sanchez, Clinical Director, has over 12 years experience providing speech therapy. She is currently completing her post-graduate coursework to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has provided ABA and Speech services through many EI agencies, such as Theracare, All about Kids, YAI, Thursday’s Child, Early Start, Personal Touch, The Alphabet Zoo and Accelerated Childhood Education since 1995. Ms. Sanchez is also certified in PROMPT therapy and PECS and trained in Feeding, oral motor, myofascial release and sign language. She has a bilingual extension on her Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped. Ms. Sanchez has treated over hundreds of children. She also trains 5-7 CFY speech therapists a year. Emilia’s Kids has implemented a 9-month training protocol, which includes not only CFY’s but also novice therapists who are looking for support and guidance.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR and CLINICAL SPEECH SUPERVISOR

Maryann Massari, Assistant Director and Clinical Supervisor, has over 7 years experience in speech pathology with a specialty in medically fragile infants and feeding.
She provides daily clinical supervision and monthly in-services in topics such as feeding therapy, oral motor therapy, and breast-feeding. Ms. Massari, also provides training for CFY therapists and she is also PROMPT trained, NOMAS trained and an intermediate myofascial release therapist. She has worked extensively with St. Mary’s EI agency on their medically fragile infant cases.

CLINICAL PT/OT SUPERVISOR

Imrul Kabir, Clinical Supervisor, has over 7 years experience in physical therapy. He joined our agency over a year ago and has proven to be an asset to our clinical division. Mr. Kabir speaks over 7 languages and is trained in NDT and the Mckenzie technique. He has worked with many EI and CPSE agencies such as Theracare, Metro and with the Board of Education directly

CLINICAL STAFF


	SPEECH THERAPISTS
	All of our Speech Therapists undergo rigourous training and observation and all are PROMPT trained within their first 3 months of employment.

	Goldman, Deena MS, CCC-SLP Mrs. Goldman completed her Masters of Science in June of 2006, at Hunter College. She has been a member of The Emilia’s Kids team since September of 2006. Completed her clinical fellowship at Emilia’s Kids in June of 2007. She has experience providing evaluations for Early Intervention Children as well as School-age children. Currently works with preschool and school aged children presenting with a variety of speech-language difficulties. Has particular experience working with children who have developmental delays, Apraxia, Dysarthria, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Articulation disorders and Hearing Impairment. Mrs. Goldman is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Boulukos, Emily MA, CCC-SLP Mr. Boulukos completed her Masters of Arts in June of 2006, at Hofstra University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since September of 2006. Completed her clinical fellowship at Emilia’s Kids in June of 2007. She has experience providing evaluations for Early Intervention children as well as school-age children. Currently works with preschool and school aged children presenting with a variety of speech-language difficulties. Has particular experience working with children who have developmental delays, Apraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Articulation disorders and Social/Pragmatic delays. Ms. Boulukos is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Gorman, Deirdre MS, CCC-SLP Ms. Gorman completed her Masters of Science in June of 2006, at Adelphi University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since September of 2006. Completed her clinical fellowship at Emilia’s Kids in June of 2007. She has experience providing evaluations for Early Intervention children as well as school-age children. Currently works with preschool and school aged children presenting with a variety of Speech-language difficulties, which includes, developmental delays, Language based Learning Disabilities, Articulation disorder and oral- motor difficulties. Ms. Gorman is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Worrell, Sherianne MA, CCC-SLP Ms. Worrell completed her Masters of Arts in May of 2006, at New York University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since September of 2006. Completed her clinical fellowship at Emilia’s Kids in June of 2007. Ms. Worrell has experience with screening and providing evaluations for Early Intervention children as well as school-age children. Ms. Worrell has worked with a wide variety of populations, which include adults and geriatrics. Currently she works with preschool and school-aged children presenting with a variety of speech-language difficulties, which includes developmental delays, Apraxia, Dysarthria, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Articulation disorders. Ms. Worrell is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Musheyeva, Liliya CFY-SLP Musheyeva, Liliya, CFY-SLP Ms. Musheyeva completed her MA in Speech Language Pathology in 2007 from Lehman College, CUNY. She became part of Emilia�s Kids team September 2008. She is currently completing her clinical fellowship year under supervision of Tanya Sanchez, Clinical Director. Ms. Musheyeva has worked with a wide variety of disorders, which includes, Articulation disorder, Language delay, Apraxia of speech, Dysfluency, Voice disorders, Aphasia and Dysphagia. Ms. Musheyeva is bilingual, speaking Russian and English. Ms. Musheyeva is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Ondhia, Inbal MS, SLP Ms. Ondhia completed her Masters of Science in July of 2004, at McGill University. She has experience evaluating and providing therapeutic services to Early Intervention children, school-aged children as well as adults. Ms. Ondhia has worked with a wide variety of disorders, which includes, lip and cleft palate, Cerebral Palsy, seizure disorder, neuromuscular disorder, Spina Bifida, Articulation disorder, Language delay, Apraxia of speech, etc. Ms. Ondhia is trained in PROMPT and certified in Hanen – It Takes Two to Talk program. Nektalova, Oksana CCC-SLP Ms. Nektalova completed her BA in Speech Language Pathology/Audiology in May of 2005, and completed her MA in Speech Language Pathology in 2007. She became part of Emilia’s Kids team June 18, 2007. She is currently completing her clinical fellowship year under supervision of Maryann Sucich, Assistant Director and Clinical Supervisor, as well as under Tanya Sanchez, Clinical Director. She has experience providing evaluations and therapy for children with various speech /language disorders, including Apraxia, Dysfluency and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Oksana is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Montefusco, Emily CFY-SLP Ms. Montefusco competed her Masters of Science in May 2008, from Boston University. She has been a part of the Emilia�s Kids team since September 2008 and is currently completing her clinical fellowship year, under supervision of Tanya Sanchez, Clinical Director. Ms. Montefusco has experience working with childhood developmental delays, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apraxia, Articulation disorders, children who are hard of hearing, and cochlear implants. In addition, Ms. Montefusco has experience working with adult neurological disorders and swallowing disorders. Ms. Montefusco is trained in PROMPT and Sign Language, and readily uses both techniques as therapeutic tools. Shaon, Kazi CFY-SLP Ms. Shaon completed her MA in Speech Language Pathology in 2008 from Lehman College, CUNY. She has been a part of Emilia's Kids team since July 2006. She is currently completing her clinical fellowship year under supervision of Tanya Sanchez, Clinical Director. Ms. Shaon has worked with a wide variety of disorders which includes Early childhood language disorders, Articulation disorder, Autism Spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), Mental Retardation, Apraxia of speech, Dysfluency, Voice disorders, Aphasia and Dysphagia. Ms. Shaon is multi-lingual, speaking Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and English. Ms. Shaon is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Manlulu, Melissa SLP Ms. Manlulu completed her Masters of Arts in June of 2006, at Hostra University. She has worked in a variety of setting evaluating and providing therapeutic services to Early Intervention children, preschool and school-aged children as well as adults.� Ms. Manlulu has worked with a wide variety of disorders, which includes, Articulation disorder, Language delay, Apraxia of speech, Dysfluency, Voice disorders, Aphasia and Dysphagia. She has a partiular interest in language therapy and cerebral palsy. She is currently registered to attend PROMPT trainng in summer 2008. King, Victoria SLP Ms. King received her MS in Speech-Language Pathology in May of 2008 from Northeastern University. She has been a member of the Emilia�s Kids team since September 2008. She is currently completing her clinical fellowship, under the supervision of Clinical Director Tanya Sanchez. During her clinical practicum Ms. King specialized in pediatrics presenting with apraxia, articulation and language disorders, as well as children with a variety of developmental disorders. She also has clinical experience with patients with aphasia, TBI, dysphagia, and voice disorders. She is certified in Early Intervention in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 2008 she was trained in the PROMPT technique. Prior to graduate school Ms. King was employed with Child Protective Services of Ontario, Canada for six years. Mir, Natalia Eva MS-SLP Ms. Mir completed her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in 1996 at University of Buenos Aires, and completed a four year residency program at The Ramos Mejia Hospital, in Argentina. Since her graduation, she has worked with children and adults with Speech Language and Communicative disorders for many institutions in Argentina. She came to the US and received her NYS license in 2005. Since then, she has worked for the NYC Early Intervention program, NYS Department of Education, and for the Los Angeles Unified District, mainly with pre-kindergarten and Elementary school age population. Ms. Mir completed full requirements for the Bilingual Extension on her Speech and Language disabilities teacher certification in 2008 .She has been trained in many methods, among others, the Prompt technique and Kaufman Early Intervention Program. Weisman, Alana CFY-SLP Ms. Weisman completed her MA in Speech Language Pathology in 2008 from Lehman College, CUNY. She became part of Emilia's Kids team September 2008. She is currently completing her clinical fellowship year under supervision of Tanya Sanchez, Clinical Director. Ms. Weisman has worked with a wide variety of disorders, which includes, Articulation disorder, Language delay, Apraxia of speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aphasia and Dysphagia, and Hearing Impairments. Ms. Weisman is bilingual, speaking Hebrew and English. Ms. Weisman is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision. Yunusova, Mariya MA, CCC-SLP Ms. Yunusova completed her Masters of Arts in May of 2007, at St. John’s University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since September of 2007. She completed her clinical fellowship at Emilia’s Kids in June of 2008. Ms. Yunusova has experience with screening and providing evaluations for Early Intervention children as well as school-age children. Ms. Yunusova has worked with a wide variety of disorders, which includes, Articulation disorder, Language delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia of speech, Dysfluency, Aphasia and Dysphagia. Ms. Yunusovava is bilingual, speaking Russian and English. Ms. Yunusova is PROMPT trained and regularly uses PROMPT techniques as a therapeutic tool to improve speech precision.

	OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

	Babakhanova, Stella OTR Ms. Babakhanova completed her Masters of Arts in May of 2006, at New York University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since December 2006. Ms. Babakhanova has experience working with Early Intervention, pre-school and school age children with various disabilities including, sensory processing disorder, ADD/ADHD, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder. She integrates formal therapeutic approaches, including, the E.A.S.Y. Baby Massage Program, Brain Gym, Therapeutic Listening, Wilbarger Protocol, Handwriting Without Tears, into play-based therapy sessions. She is fluent in Russian. Ben – Hail, Jennifer Supervisor Ms. Ben-Hail completed her Undergraduate degree at Queens College, Major in Psychology and her Graduate degree at Columbia University, Masters in Occupational Therapy. She has been a member of Emilia's Kids since Sept 2007. She has pediatric experience with Early Intervention, preschool and school age children with various disabilties. Ms. Ben-Hail is trained in REI, Sensory Integration and Handwriting without Tears and incorporates Therapeutic Listening, Wilbarger Protocol into her therapies. Ms. Ben-Hail has a particular gift working with children on the spectrum and has a special interest in Island Dolphin Plus. Aristide, Regine OTR Ms. Aristide completed her Dual Bachelor/Master of Science in OT in September 2005 from Long Island University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids since 2006. Ms. Aristide has experience with evaluating and treating preschool and school age children. She has knowledge of NDT, PNF, Rood and Brunstromm manual techniques, as well as techniques involving sensory integration, motor planning, and bilateral motor integration. St. Victor, Danielle OTR Ms. St. Victor completed her Masters of Science in September of 2005, at Long Island University. She has been a member of Emilia’s Kids team since July 2006. Ms. St. Victor has experience working with school age children with various disabilities including, sensory regulatory disorder, learning disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ms. St. Victor has experience with developing sensory diets and applying neurodevelopmental treatment, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and sensory integration in to treatment. Ms. St. Victor is fluent in Creole.

	PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

	Kabir, Imrul Graduated in 1997 with three awards in research and thesis. Received his NYS license and registration in 1998. Mr. Kabir specializes in Orthopedic manipulations for back and peripheral joints. He attended numerous conferences and seminars on pediatric rehabilitation, and conducted research presentation at International Physiotherapy Convention in 2002 in Kuwait. He was also invited for platform presentation on, research on effects of electrical stimulation on muscles at World Confederation of Physical Therapy Conference in 2003 at Barcelona, Spain. He worked in four different countries in different settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, clinics, schools and home-based. He is a Multi-lingual Pediatric Physical Therapy evaluator for Early Intervention, pre-school and school aged children as well as Clinical Supervisor at Emilia’s Kids. Escoto, Simonetta, PT Mrs. Escoto graduated with her Physical Therapy degree in the year 1996. Mrs. Escoto has been a member of Emilia’s Kids since July 2003. Mrs. Escoto has experience working with Early Intervention and School age children. She has experience working with a variety of disorders, which includes, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Mild Mental Retardation, Down’s syndrome, Scoliosis, Spina Bifida, Developmental Delay, Hydrocephalus etc. Mrs. Escoto has attended several seminars, which includes, Sensory Integration Theory and Practice, Sensory Defensiveness, Myofascial Release, Pediatrics and The Adaptive Response.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF


	OFFICE MANAGER
	Teresa Paretti has been with Emilia’s Kids since 2001. She is known by many and loved by all. Her heart in invested in her job as she helps parents and works with district adminstrators. Teresa is always worried if she has enough lollipops for the kids and their smiles as they run to get one from her at the end of their therapy sessions makes her day. Teresa handles our phones, materials, special projects and all the etc…..

	BILLING MANAGER/HUMAN RESOURCES
	Susan Sanchez, has over 3 years working with therapists and families in special education services. She initially worked for an EI agency as Home Based services coordinator for 2 years and worked her way up to Assistant Director of Quality Assurance. She readily spoke to service coordinators and caregivers on a daily basis to ensure services were being provided. Ms. Sanchez also construed many mechanisms by which to ensure timely and quality services such as our phone survey, parent questionnaire, Date of 1st service form and provider’s assignment form (see appendix). She was also key in developing our quality assurance guidelines for chart reviews and collecting the proper documentation needed for each child such as prescriptions, IFSP’s and medicals.

	EVALUATION & PLACEMENT COORDINATOR/QUALITY ASSURANCE
	Ms. Ramona Ciobanu is another intergral part of our family. She has been with EK for over 4 years. She has experience coordinating Early Intervention and CPSE evaluations and services since 2003. Ramona has an intimate understanding of the importance of using laymen’s terms with parents, especially with ones that are multicultural. Ms. Ciobanu also has clinical experience with Head ABA Teaching Assistant for 2 years. She has familiarity with clinical terminology and is very competent at interpreting to plain language. Ms. Ramona Ciobanu also has experience in Quality Assurance, in the EI agency she was employeed in for 4 years. She created a tracking mechanism using a database and excel forms, which tracked each therapist and each child on their caseloads. Furthermore, she is key in offering assistance to any therapist who has difficulty with documentation.

	EARLY INTERVENTION
	Doug joined Emilia's Kids in June of 2008 after spending eight years at Thursday's Child in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He began his EI career as a Service Coordinator and also held positions as a Home Care Therapist, Day Care Teacher and Human Resources Administrator. Doug also worked as an Account Analyst in the Business Affairs department and currently runs the EI Billing Department at Emilia's Kids. His duties include interviewing prospective Independent Contractors, scheduling, paperwork tracking, billing coordination and recovery. Doug lives in Rego Park with his wife, Jennifer. He is an avid sports fan and follows the Jets, Mets, Ohio State football and the Islanders religiously. Douglas M. Beaumont EI Operations Manager Emilia's Kids (718) 899-9060, ext. 115

	DATA ENTRY/ FILE MANAGEMENT/MAINTENANCE
	Luis Parness is our prize possession. He helps all around with anything he can. Luis is always keeping Emilia’s Kids presentable and organized. He helps Susan and Ramona with the hundreds of files and documents that need to be entered, organized and filed. Luis has a gift for data entry and numbers. Ask him any date of any year and he will tell you what day of the week it was!!!!! He enjoys our weekly lunches and always looks forward to our annual staff party.