Sara Parsons- Speech-Language Pathologist

Started at Helping Hands in March 2016

Sara is a certified Speech Language Pathologist. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s degree from St. Xavier University.  Sara has been practicing as a speech-language pathologist for over ten years.   Sara has enjoyed building relationships with the children and families here at Helping Hands since Spring of 2016.  

Sara began her career working in a special educational setting and treating children with autism spectrum disorders.  After working within the academic setting, she transitioned to a clinical setting focusing primarily on more functional goals for children with autism spectrum disorder.     Both positions have given her experience with providing both individual and group therapy.  She also has experience supervising many graduate clinicians.  Sara was in charge of overseeing their clinical experience and providing feedback related to speech and language disorders.  

She enjoys working in the private clinic setting. It allows her to build more personal relationships with the clients’ and their families, not only providing speech/language services but offering her support and feedback when needed. She has a passion for working on speech and language disorders particularly within early childhood and autism.  In addition, Sara enjoys working with children and their families with feeding challenges and Apraxia of speech.   

Sara has received training and attended conferences in the following areas: Kaufman Protocol for Children with Apraxia, Early Speech Language Development: Taking Theory to the Floor, Recognizing and Treating Autism in Toddlers, AEIOU Systematic Approach to Pediatric Feeding, Assessment and Treatment in Using the SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) Approach to Feeding, Verbal Behavior, and Social Thinking Curriculum.  When Sara isn’t working at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, riding her peloton, and watching a good series on Netflix.  Sara is married and is the mother of two boys, Brady and Graham.