Meet the founder of APE

Ashley, MS, OTR/L

Ashley began her journey in occupational therapy in 2012 as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), earning her associate degree in Health Sciences from the New England Institute of Technology. Inspired by her passion for helping children and families thrive, she continued her education and became a licensed Occupational Therapist, receiving her master’s degree in Health Sciences in 2017.

Ashley has worked in a wide range of pediatric settings, including schools, pediatric psychiatric hospitals, inpatient and outpatient clinics, group homes, early intervention, and in-home care. She brings experience working with children from birth through age 21, supporting a variety of diagnoses and developmental needs.

She is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care and stays up to date on the most effective treatment approaches. Ashley holds advanced training and certifications in the SOS Approach to Feeding, G-tube transitioning, feeding for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory integration intensive interventions, pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, ASD and ADHD, preschool-age care, oppositional and aggressive behavior management, pediatric yoga, and behavior modification techniques for adolescents.

When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys going to the gym, hiking, paddle boarding, traveling, and curling up with a good book. She’s also a devoted animal lover and proud cat mom to three furry friends: Momma, Kitten, and Crum.

Meet Marisa, COTA/L

Marisa considers her positive relationships with children imperative to success at home and in therapy. Often, it is hard to parent an atypical learner, and helping parents bring out the best in their child is part of each therapy session. Marisa believes that by shaping foundational brain networks, we can improve our social and emotional well-being and gain skills needed for everyday life. Marisa has a strong belief that people learn best through meaningful activities that are fun and motivating. 

Marisa has 30 years of experience in various settings, such as group homes, outpatient clinics, and schools. Marisa has experience working with ASD, ADHD, mental health, physical dysfunction, and academic and learning disabilities. Marisa has had the opportunity to teach and mentor students through clinical fieldwork. Marisa has a unique skill set and multiple certifications that ensure comprehensive care and excellence in service delivery as an outpatient therapist.

Meet Lindsey, MS, OTR/L

Lindsey started her career as an Occupational Therapist in 2020 after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies and Master of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. Growing up, Lindsey always knew she wanted to work with children, and her career in occupational therapy allowed her to do this in a way that was unlike any other. She utilizes a holistic, child-centered approach that encourages a focus on strengths to achieve goals and promotes skill-building to assist with functional aspects of daily life. Lindsey has worked in various settings, including adult subacute care, young adult and adult independent living programs, outpatient pediatric clinics, and early intervention. Her experiences range across the lifespan, with a focus on birth through 21. She has worked with many children and adults with various conditions, diagnoses, and needs.

Lindsey has also continued learning to support the needs of the children she works with. She has extended training on creating and personalizing sensory diets, managing executive function disorder, the connection between sensory and sleep, and the sensory and oral-motor components of feeding. Lindsey is also particularly interested in the connection between emotional regulation, behavior, and sensory processing and has taken opportunities to expand her learning to help all children meet their needs.

Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family and friends outside of work, being by the water, reading, and cooking.

Meet Briana, MA, CCC-SLP

Briana graduated with a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Rhode Island in 2021. She has worked with the pediatric population in outpatient settings and school-age children ages 10-16.

Briana brings a wealth of experience collaborating with a wide range of clients, spanning from children with ASD, Apraxia of Speech, articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, and beyond. Additionally, she holds certification in PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), a distinctive method for addressing speech delays or disorders. Briana is committed to promoting a supportive environment for the child's holistic development by prioritizing effective communication and collaboration with parents. She firmly believes that this collaborative approach improves therapy outcomes and reinforces the bond among therapist, child, and family.

When Briana does not see clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends, or cat Mochi.

Meet Lindsey, COTA/L

Lindsey graduated from CCRI in 2023 with an associate's degree in applied science. Here, Lindsey earned her occupational therapy assistant degree with high institutional honors. A fun fact about her is that she changed my major 2 times before falling in love with OT. 

Lindsey has worked with the pediatric population in various settings over the past 5 years, including daycares, before and after-school programs, and summer camps, and she observed OT services in school-based settings. Through these experiences, she has been committed to providing a safe, supportive, and exciting environment for children to learn and grow as individuals. Lindsey is also passionate about family involvement and facilitating communication between everyone in the child's support system. She plans to continue her education at NEIT to earn a master's in occupational therapy beginning this fall. 

In her free time, Lindsey enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her two cats, Franklin and Henry. 

Meet Lea, M.S. CCC-SLP, ATP

Lea graduated with a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. She has worked in specialized day school programs, an inpatient program for patients with developmental disabilities, early intervention, and public school settings. 

Lea is dedicated to working with clients and families with diverse needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, articulation disorders, phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, and more. In addition to being a Speech-Language Pathologist, Lea is an Assistive Technology Professional specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She believes that a strong client/therapist relationship, parent training, and collaboration are essential to each client's success.

During her free time, Lea spends time with her two children and dog, Luna. She enjoys nature, autumn, and reading.

Meet Vanessa, M.S. CCC-SLP

Vanessa earned her Master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Rhode Island in 2014. A native Spanish speaker, she specializes in bilingual therapy across diverse settings, including Early Intervention, Preschool, home-based, and outpatient therapy. Currently, she works with students in grades K-4.



Vanessa's passion lies in supporting her clients' communication development and fostering their confidence through tailored empathetic care. Her dedication to bilingual therapy bridges language gaps and enriches the therapeutic experience for the families she serves.

When she is not helping clients, Vanessa enjoys building intricate puzzles and finds relaxation in the process. She often spends hours piecing together beautiful images.

Meet Sarah, MA, CCC-SLP

Sarah graduated with a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, which was completed in 2009. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and an administrator. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring children's support is individualized and strength-based.

Sarah has over 15 years of experience working as a SLP in various settings. She has provided services individually and in groups to children who present with a variety of disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, language disorders, speech disorders, oral motor deficits, and fluency disorders in school, clinic, and home settings. Sarah's passion is working with families, supporting the carryover of speech and language skills, and helping families navigate school services.



In her free time, Sarah enjoys being a mom, spending time with her family and friends, and hanging out with her dog. When she can, she relaxes by running or reading. 

Meet Nicole, COTA/L

Nicole began her career in 2018 after graduating from the New England Institute of Technology with an Associate's Degree in Health Sciences as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Since then, she has been passionate about continuing her education and expanding her expertise in current practices. She has completed specialized training, such as SOS Approach to Feeding and Astronaut Training, to enhance further her ability to meet each client's unique needs.

Nicole values a holistic, family-centered approach, focusing on children's and families' individual needs. She believes emphasizing current strengths encourages skill development in a meaningful way for each child. She enjoys working with children of all ages and has extensive experience collaborating with individuals across various diagnoses and needs. Nicole has provided services in diverse settings, including school systems, acute care facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. Her experience spans working with children and families to support those with ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, and many others.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time by the water with family and friends and exploring new recipes for cooking and baking.

Meet Ashely, MA, CCC-SLP TSSLD-BE

Ashely is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist with a Master's in Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology from The City University of New York, Lehman College. She has expertise working with monolingual and bilingual school-age children ages 5-12. Ashely specializes in treating a variety of speech and language disorders, including articulation, fluency, language, reading, and social pragmatic disorders, as well as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

She has worked in school-based and clinical settings, providing child-centered therapy and assessments to diverse populations.

Recognized for her leadership and commitment to the profession, Ashely was awarded the 2021 National Excellence Award in Speech-Language Pathology by NSSLHA and actively participates in advocacy efforts, including a proclamation for Telepractice Awareness Day in New York. Passionate about fostering language development and providing holistic support, she has worked closely with teachers and families to ensure that students achieve their full potential.



During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, and family.

Meet Christina, MA, CCC-SLP

Christina is a passionate Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Worcester State University. With a strong foundation in serving diverse populations, Christina has found her true calling in working with children to help them communicate confidently and effectively.

Christina currently works at a charter school with grades K-4, where she is dedicated to supporting children in reaching developmental milestones in articulation, expressive and receptive language, and social communication. She creates individualized, strengths-based treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs, helping them overcome communication challenges and thrive in academic and social settings.



Her academic and clinical training has equipped her with the skills to assess, diagnose, and treat a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders. Christina has experience providing both individual and group therapy, with a particular focus on pediatric populations. She uses creative and engaging methods in treatment, often incorporating her love of music to make sessions fun, motivating, and effective for young learners.

As a mother of two, Christina understands firsthand the importance of strong communication skills in a child’s development. Her personal experiences have deepened her empathy and reinforced her commitment to helping families support their children’s growth and success in communication.

Christina enjoys traveling, singing, dancing, and spending quality time with her family outside of work. She is driven by the belief that every child deserves a voice—and she is honored to help them find and strengthen it.