Pediatric Speech Therapy promotes your child's overall functional communication, such as language, fluency, articulation, use of augmentative communication systems, such as lip reading, sign language and more. At CFTS, our board certified Speech Therapy team understands each child's unique needs and works with them to provide appropriate care through proven methods and the power of PLAY.
Skills we work on
articulation
Our Speech Therapists will assess the production of speech sounds as well as the function of the oral motor processes associated with speech. They may also work on a class of sounds, oral motor function, or production of words/conversations to improve your child's intelligibility.
language
At CFTS, our Speech Therapists provide excellent care to improve both receptive language skills such as following directions and/or understanding complex sentences, as well as expressive language skills such as using appropriate grammar and expressing their ideas and concepts.
fluency
Have you noticed that your child may stutter when they're speaking? Or prolong their sounds? At CFTS, our Speech Therapists will use a variety of strategies to target fluent speech and aim to reduce behaviors that are often associated with dysfluent speech.
Play and Social pragmatics
Deficits in play may look like your child has difficulties playing with toys appropriately, using objects together in play, engaging in imaginative play, and/or engaging in play with others. Through the power of PLAY our SLP Team will create communicative opportunities for children while engaging with motivating toys specific to their interests.
executive functioning
Our SLP Team work with school age children to improve organization, asking questions for clarification, and activity planning. Many children with this deficit are noted to have difficulty starting and completing tasks, turning in assignments on time, and attending to verbal instructions.
Auditory Processing
Through patient and parent education, our passionate SLPs will assist children and adolescents use strategies to better understand verbal language such as multi-step directions to increase independence in play, activities of daily living, and school-related tasks.
meet our people
Nancy Johnston
CCC-SLP President, owner and clinical director
Nancy graduated from Nova Southeastern with her MS and then graduated from UCF with her BS. She enjoys evaluating new patients and watching them progress through their goals. She loves seeing patients communicate more efficiently to help decrease overall frustrations. Some fun things about Nancy are that her family is German and that she loves boating, crafting and traveling with her family.
Chris durnin
Lead CCC-SLP Orange City
Chris graduated from UCF. She enjoys Dysphagia, Auditory Processing and completing evaluations. Chris's favorite activities in therapy include surprise eggs and a variety of apps for the older students. In her downtime, Chris enjoys crocheting, trying different arts and crafts and playing computer games. Fun fact: Chris is an introvert and totally devoted to her family and particularly her beautiful grandchild.
jen porter
Lead CCC-SLP Longwood
Jennifer graduated from the University of Florida. She enjoys working on apraxia, dyslexia, early language development and differential diagnoses. In Jennifer's down time she likes to travel, workout, spend time with family and experience new cultures and food.
chelsea byerly
CCC-SLP Orange City
Chelsea graduated from Nova Southeaster University. She enjoys early language and language therapy. She wants parents to know the importance of carryover at home. Her favorite toys are sensory bins and farm toys. She enjoys going to the beach, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Fun fact: she has 2 dogs, Khloe and Kaya, and loves to binge watch Friends.
katherine dilley
CCC-SLP Longwood
Katherine graduated from the University of Central Florida. Katherine enjoys working with Pre-K language and play skills. Her favorite toy is pop the pig and sneaky snacky squirrel. In her down time, she loves to sing, swim and make crafts. Fun fact: Katherine has 4 cats.
zishan hasham
CCC-SLP Orange City
Zishan graduated from the University of Central Florida. She enjoys working on articulation and language. She loves when parents work in conjunction with their therapist implementing the skills learned for therapy in the home to be more effective. Her favorite activities for therapy are using board games picked by the student so they will be more motivated! In her down time she enjoys interior decorating, biking and reading. Fun fact: Zishan grew up in Tanzania, East Africa.
nicole zegarra
CCC-SLP Longwood
Nicole graduated from Nova Southeastern University. Nicole loves play based language, articulation, apraxia and expressive language. Her favorite toys for therapy are play food, pop the pig and ball tunnel. In her down time she loves to go to Disney, parks, the beach and to hang out with family.
lissette estrella
Bilingual SLPA Longwood
Lissette graduated from the University of Central Florida. she enjoys working on early language development, bilingual language acquisition, articulation and working with children on the autism spectrum. Her favorite toys are farm animals and potato heads. In her down time she likes to spend time with her family and friends and go to new places. Fun fact: Lissette used to play lacrosse and she is also one of our bilingual SLPAs.
luis malave
Bilingual SLPA Longwood
Luis graduated from the University of Central Florida. Luis enjoys working on articulation, reading and language. He loves teaching each session and strives to make it fun. His favorite therapy activities include bubbles and basketball. In his down time, he enjoys going to Orlando City games, working as a DJ, sports, and going to Disney with family. Fun fact: Luis loves romantic comedies. Luis is also one of our bilingual SLPAs.
Ashley krbec
SLPA Longwood
Ashley graduated from the University of Central Florida. She enjoys play based therapy and working with children with ASD. Ashley loves to use various food sets and Mr. potato head. In her down time she likes to cycle, walk her dog, eat at food trucks, boating and hanging out with friends. Fun fact: Ashley has 2 sisters and 2 brothers.
Madelyn VanWORMER
SLPA Longwood and Orange City
Madelyn graduated from the University of Central Florida and started with CFTS in 2024. She enjoys working on language with her patients and utilizing things like Pink Cat games, boom cards and articulation station. She thinks setting up routines and using repetitive language are super helpful. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, going on nature walks and hanging out with her friends. Fun fact: She is double jointed in her fingers.
sakina salemohamed
CF-SLP Longwood
Sakina graduated with her MS in 2023. She enjoys helping people be able to communicate and she loves working with kids. She especially enjoys language and articulation and believe practicing at home is very important. Outside of work, she enjoys to travel and play volleyball. Fun fact: she has been to over 15 countries!
neidy crockett
Bilingual SLPA Longwood
Neidy graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2021. She enjoys speech therapy because she is able to help others. She enjoys working on articulation with her patients and believes that patience and practice are very important. Outside of work, she enjoys to paint, read and tend to her plants. Fun fact: she was born in Pisa, Italy!
Jose menendez
Bilingual CCC-SLP Longwood
Jose graduated from The University of Central Florida with his MS. He enjoys early language development and working with children who have ASD. He loves utilizing toys in sessions that promote reciprocal play or have a cause and effect. He believes in practicing expectant waiting and providing positive reinforcement. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball, traveling with his family, going to the beach and listening to music. Fun fact: he is a huge fan of WWE wrestling.
