Melinda has worked with children who have special needs since earning her bachelor's degree in Speech & Hearing Sciences in 1996.  She received her master's degree in Early Childhood-Special Education in 2000 and has been working in the birth to three field since then, both as a Developmental Therapist and a Speech Therapy Assistant.  She has experience with children who have a variety of special needs, including prematurity, Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, speech & language delays/disorders, sensory processing disorder, behavioral issues, feeding issues, and genetic syndromes.  Because of her background in speech-language therapy , her sessions focus a great deal on enhancing communication and social interactions.  She has experience using sign language (Baby Signs) and Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS).