LLA Therapy: Meet Donna Conti

Donna Conti is LLA Therapy's senior speech language pathologist and has been with our company for over 25 years.

- What do you like most about being an SLP?
I love working with the children and their families! Seeing a child blossom in both communication and confidence is the most rewarding aspect of this field for me. Plus, the kids are all so sweet and fun!

-       What do our facilities allow you to accomplish as a clinician?
I am able to collaborate with and learn from our families and our talented therapy team. Having the addition of OT, PT, Music, and ABA therapists has broadened my understanding of the children we serve. Also, we have an amazing support staff who are on top of everything!

-       What is a day in the life of an SLP like?
I solely work in the clinic and see my kids in 30-minute time slots. During non-scheduled time, I work on typing my notes from the sessions, preparing for the next visits, collaborating with other team members, and other miscellaneous duties.

-       What is an SLP topic you are passionate about and why?
I really love all areas of the field, but I have a special interest in the field of apraxia, as it is so rewarding to help a child who cannot communicate blossom into a competent speaker.   I also enjoy helping children with reading and spelling difficulties using Orton-Gillingham techniques.

-       What are the top 10 ways an SLP can help clients?
1. Develop self confidence as a communicator.
2. Improve speech clarity.
3. Improve fluency and voice.
4. Strengthen comprehension skills for questions, directions, vocabulary, and concepts.
5. Improve auditory processing, discrimination, memory skills.
6. Improve grammatic accuracy and expressive efficiency for speaking and writing.
7. Improve social skills.
8. Create a total communication approach (e.g., pictures, assistive communication) when needed.
9. Develop better reading and spelling skills.
10.Provide the families with guidance and home programming.

-       What is your favorite smartphone app for clients?
I love the My Play Home and Sound Touch apps!

-       What are ways you make therapy fun for your clients?
I like to get down on a child's level and be seen as more a friend than a teacher. We have a lot of fun and motivating activities that we use for learning and reinforcement.   I feel that by keeping things positive, and even silly at times, a child will get so much accomplished in a session without even realizing it!