Meet Our Team
Meet Soraya
Soraya is a compassionate Speech-Language Pathologist dedicated to empowering children through the gift of communication. She is nationally accredited through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), state licensed in Florida and is a certified Oral-Beckman and Hanen More Than Words® therapist. She is also bilingual (English and French) and experienced working in a variety of pediatric-based settings, including schools, outpatient rehabilitation, PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center), hospitals, and homes. Through her experiences, Soraya has acquired a strong and specific skillset working with toddlers, preschool, and school-aged children with speech delays, language delays, autism, speech sound disorders and feeding difficulties.
Prior to completing her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Florida, she served as President of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and a Graduate Instructor for UF’s Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication. Soraya is a life-long learner who remains knowledgeable of the latest evidence-based research and therapeutic skills by regularly attending conventions hosted by the Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (FLASHA).
She works closely with families and other healthcare professionals to ensure that each child receives the personalized care and attention they need to flourish. She is passionate about her work and feels blessed to do what she loves every day! Embark on your speech journey with Paradise Speech Therapy toward enhanced communication and a brighter future for your child!
Meet Emily
Emily is a passionate speech-language pathologist dedicated to empowering children with effective communication tools and fostering their independence. She is a native bilingual speaker of English and Spanish, originally from Miami, FL. Emily earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh and is licensed in Florida.
She is skilled in conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and using evidence-based interventions to deliver high-quality, individualized care to each child. Emily has experience working with a wide range of communication needs, including AAC, hearing loss, CAS, fluency disorders, speech sound disorders, and language disorders.
During her graduate studies, she served on the executive board of National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) and conducted research in the Bi-Lab under Dr. Leah Fabiano. Her research focused on phonological development in bilingual Latinx children to improve assessment procedures.
Emily tailors her therapy sessions to each child's interests, ensuring they feel valued and understood. Emily loves collaborating with families and building meaningful relationships. She is dedicated to empowering each child she works with and finds joy in celebrating every step of their progress!
Meet Jenna
Jenna is a certified speech-language pathologist with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is licensed in the state of Florida and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Originally from Minnesota, Jenna began her career in pediatric speech therapy just across the state line in North Dakota before relocating to Florida. She brings a passion for working with children and finds joy in seeing their excitement during speech sessions. Her approach combines evidence-based practice with fun and engaging activities to help children meet their communication goals.
Jenna has experience working with a variety of speech and language needs, including speech sound disorders, language disorders, CAS, fluency, AAC, executive functioning, and autism. Her graduate research centered on behavior management strategies for speech-language pathologists, involving a comprehensive literature review of effective techniques to apply during sessions. She actively integrates this knowledge into her daily practice to enhance the services she provides.
She values building strong relationships with the families she works with and is dedicated to helping them carry over speech and language skills into everyday routines at home. She is excited to be practicing in Florida and looks forward to supporting the local community.
“We love working with our children and their families because we believe it takes a village to raise a child.”
Any Questions?
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If your child isn't reaching age-appropriate milestones in speech, language, and communication, an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist is recommended to determine if they need intervention. If you're concerned about your child's speech or language development, it's important to seek professional advice soon. Early intervention can make a significant difference, so don't wait!
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Paradise Speech Therapy currently offers private-pay therapy and accepts Children’s Medical Services (CMS) health plan and Step Up Scholarship. A superbill is available upon request and may help you secure reimbursement from your insurance provider for out-of-network costs.
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Absolutely! We believe that involving parents or guardians in the therapy process can lead to better outcomes. Our therapists will provide guidance on how you can support your child's progress at home.
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Speech therapy focuses on the physical production of sounds, including articulation and fluency, while language therapy addresses the comprehension and use of language, including expressive, receptive, and social communication. Both aim to improve aspects of communication but target different elements of the speech and language process.
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All speech therapy sessions are 45 to 60 minutes. The frequency and length of sessions depend on your child's individual needs. After an initial evaluation, our therapists will recommend a schedule that will provide the best outcomes for your child.
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If therapy is recommended for your child, your therapist will re-evaluate their speech, language, and communication skills every 6 months, as required by most insurance companies. At the re-evaluation, progress will be discussed and your therapist will determine if therapy is still recommended.
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Evaluation and treatment sessions will be conducted by one of our therapists who are all state licensed and nationally certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA).
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The first step is to schedule an evaluation with one of our speech therapists. They’ll assess your child’s communication development and make a professional recommendation as to whether your child could benefit from speech therapy. To schedule an evaluation, please complete our short contact form.
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All therapy sessions are held at our center, located at 1214 South Andrews Avenue, Suite 301, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.
