ABOUT SLP
Our Pediatric Speech Therapists strive to help children improve their
communication for daily success at school and home.
SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES PROVIDED
JEWELS speech therapists employ evidence-based techniques to improve articulation, language development, fluency, and social communication skills. Through engaging and tailored sessions, we create a supportive environment that encourages confidence and effective communication. Whether addressing speech delays, language disorders, or stuttering, our program is designed to meet the unique needs of each client, fostering improved communication abilities and enhancing overall quality of life.
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Social Communication Skills - Eye contact and rules of conversation
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Receptive Language Skills - Understanding and following directions
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Auditory Processing – Decoding auditory messages and direction
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Articulation - Sound Production
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Apraxia - Motor Sounds Production
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Expressive Language Skills - Putting words together, naming objects, talking about events
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Voice-Quality, Volume, Pitch
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Fluency/ Stuttering – speed and pattern of utterances
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Augmentative and Assistive Communication - sign language, communication boards, electronic systems
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Oral Motor Skills – movement for producing clear speech sounds
SPEECH THERAPY TEAM
Goldie Gross,
MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Therapy Supervisor
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Goldie Gross has been a dedicated speech-language pathologist since 2002, bringing her expertise to JEWELS since June 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science and her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Touro College in New York. With a wealth of experience and training, Goldie specializes in Listening and Spoken Language/Auditory Verbal Therapy, particularly with the hearing-impaired population. She is also PROMPT-trained and proficient in Social Thinking curriculum, AAC, and early intervention strategies.
Throughout her career, Goldie has demonstrated exceptional skill in working with children who have deficits in receptive and expressive language, articulation, and various diagnoses such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and hearing loss. Her dedication extends beyond direct therapy sessions, as she has supervised numerous graduate student interns in the field of speech-language pathology.
As the current Chair of the Speech Department at JEWELS, Goldie plays a vital role in mentoring and supervising a diverse team of speech-language pathologists. Her leadership ensures the delivery of high-quality services to clients while fostering professional growth within the department.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Goldie enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle through exercise, indulging her culinary interests in cooking, immersing herself in literature through reading, and cherishing moments with her family and friends.
Sara Semesky
MS Ed, CCC-SLP
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Sara joined the JEWELS team in September 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology from Towson University. She received a Master of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Old Dominion University and has been practicing in the Baltimore area since 2016. Sara treats students of all ages and has particular clinical interest and experience treating fluency, voice, social communication, expressive/receptive language, and speech-sound disorders. Sara is Lidcombe trained and certified in Hanen's "It Takes Two to Talk" and "Learning Language and Loving It" programs. In her spare time, she enjoys exercise, travel, time with family, and cheering on the Ravens and Orioles
Annika Vegh
CCC-SLP
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Annika joined the JEWELS team in January 2022. Annika received her Bachelor’s degree at WITS/Maalot and her Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Towson University. Annika has experience working with clients of all ages. She has special interests in social communication and school-age language disorders. Annika also has experience with early intervention and treatment of speech-sound disorders. In her spare time, Annika enjoys cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
Aviva Mond
CCC-SLP
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Aviva received her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Loyola University Maryland. She enjoys working with preschool, school-age, and adolescent children in outpatient and school-based settings. She has experience treating a variety of areas including receptive/expressive language, social/pragmatic skills, fluency/stuttering, articulation, oral motor, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and literacy. Aviva is passionate about individualizing treatment activities for each client and collaborating with parents/teachers to facilitate success across all environments. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, listening to music/podcasts, and spending time with her family.
Chaya Wasserman
CCC-SLP
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Chaya joined the JEWELS team in 2023. She received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. Chaya has experience working with clients across the lifespan from toddlers to adulthood with a variety of communication and feeding needs. She has worked with children who have challenges in the area of expressive/receptive language, articulation, fluency, and pragmatic language. Chaya genuinely
cares for each client and works closely with clients, their families, and other professionals to ensure each client’s needs are being addressed in the best way possible. When Chaya is not working, she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Cheryl Schabes
MA, CCC-SLP
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Cheryl is an experienced speech language pathologist and devoted JEWELS team member for over ten years. She specializes in early and preschool language intervention, as well as feeding therapy, and is passionate about helping children develop their social language abilities ranging from preliminary communication skills all the way through navigating teenage conversations. For four years, Cheryl was Therapy Director at JEWELS, combining her excellent interpersonal, management, and clinical skills to support families as they navigate the complexities of the therapy world. Cheryl has returned to serving as a front line clinician, treating children in group and one-on-one settings, and continues to be a trusted advisor to JEWELS families and staff.
Lani Katz
MS, CF-SLP
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Lani earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. Lani is a passionate therapist who has recently joined the JEWELS team. She has experience working with clients of all ages in various settings, such as inpatient rehab, outpatient pediatrics, early intervention, and school-based settings. She has worked with students that have challenges with articulation and phonology, receptive/expressive language, and pragmatics. She enjoys researching and collaborating with others to ensure that she delivers evidence-based therapy tailored to assist each client effectively. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and listening to music.
Eliana Weinreich
MA,CCC-SLP
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Eliana received her B.A in Speech and Communications from Touro's Lander College for Women and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland College Park. Over the past ten years, she has worked with students ranging from preschool to high school in a variety of school based settings. Her special areas of interest include working with students who communicate using AAC, as well as working with neurodiverse students. She also has experience working with students with speech sound disorders, social communication challenges and developmental language disorders. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring nature and baking.
Bella Puchaev
CCC-SLP
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Bella joined the JEWELS family in January 2018, shortly after relocating to Baltimore. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology from Touro College and her master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from St. John’s University. Bella is dedicated to enhancing communication for all ages and is experienced in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning with a focus on fostering functional independence. Her professional repertoire includes experience in treating speech and language deficits in pediatric populations with developmental and cognitive delays as well as social pragmatic delays. Bella is committed to ongoing professional development and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care. In her spare time, Bella enjoys running, hiking, exercising, reading and spending time with friends and family.
Elana Stieglitz
M.S., CCC-SLP
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Elana received her Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University. She is licensed to provide speech and language therapy in the state of Maryland and is ASHA certified. Elana completed her clinical fellowship year at Kennedy Krieger Institute and worked there for over 17 years, specializing in early intervention (which she absolutely loves!) and treating a wide variety of speech and language disorders. She is excited to be a part of the Jewels team! Elana is creative, enthusiastic, and an “out of the box” thinker who does whatever it takes to help a child communicate effectively. She is passionate about partnering with families to help their children maximize their potential. Elana believes that small successes should be celebrated and built upon. In her personal life, Elana enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Her hidden talents include playing piano and painting.