My Services

Speech, Language, and Learning

At Robin's Key Speech, Language, and Learning, I serve clients ages 3-22 with a variety of speech, language, learning, and communication needs.
Therapy isn't just about a once-a-week session to learn new things. It's about building a relationship and helping your child or teen develop the skills and confidence THEY need to succeed. We will all work together to help them unlock their potential!

Did you know? 80% of children with emotional and behavioral disorders have an unidentified language disorder (Hollo, Wehby, & Oliver, 2014).

Language disorders, learning differences, and social communication challenges are considered "hidden" disabilities because they have no physical manifestation and frequently go unidentified. There are many subtle warning signs that are often not recognized, even by many healthcare professionals and educators. Language disorders, learning differences, and social communication challenges can contribute to difficulties with learning, social relationships, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Therapy is not focused on "fixing" problems, but rather helping each client develop the skills and strategies they need to live out their values and reach their own potential.

The Therapy Process

Phone Consultation
During your initial phone consultation, we will talk about the concerns you have regarding your child/teen, what aspects of school and social relationships they find to be the most engaging and the most challenging, and what you hope your child/teen will learn from speech, language, and/or learning intervention. I will also answer any questions you have about services.
This initial consultation typically takes 20-40 minutes and is always free of charge.
Initial ASSESSMENT
Both individual and group therapy services begin with an initial assessment of speech, language, social communication, and/or learning skills. This assessment typically takes 1.5-4 hours to complete (depending on client needs) and can be spread across 2 or more sessions. Assessment may include evaluation of skills related to: articulation, motor speech, fluency, expressive language, receptive language, word finding, discourse/narrative language, higher order language (e.g., figurative language, language processing), reading fluency, decoding, reading comprehension, spelling, narrative writing, expository writing, social communication, and/or executive functioning.

The purpose of assessment is to help us understand your child/teen's areas of strength and uncover the challenges that underlie their difficulties in school and with social relationships. Assessment will also help us determine what therapy approaches may be most helpful and effective. Based on this information, we will work together to develop intervention goals to help your child/teen learn the skills they need to succeed.
Individual therapy & Parent coaching
My intervention approach is developmental and relationship-based and guided by current research and evidence-based practice. Although my clients often carry multiple diagnostic labels, my focus is supporting them in becoming the best version of themselves. When working with younger children, I help parents and caregivers learn strategies that they can use every day with their child to promote language, cognitive, and social emotional development. I help school age children and adolescents develop the skills they need for school and social relationships. Virtual therapy sessions are filled with learning and FUN by incorporating interactive activities, movement, and client interests. We also explore the wide array of thoughts and feelings that come up as we work on developing new skills and discovering new strategies for communicating and learning.
Group Therapy
Groups are designed to help children, adolescents, and young adults develop communication and learning skills in a natural context. Groups are the perfect place for what is often referred to as "generalization" of skills. Clients in groups learn how to use social communication skills and learning strategies in different contexts with other people. Groups also allow clients to connect with and learn from others with similar challenges.
Click here for a list of current groups.
Collaboration & Professional Consultations
Sometimes, parents and teachers feel "stuck" in figuring out how to best support kids and teens with language disorders and learning differences. Having worked in public, therapeutic, and alternative schools, I have lots of experience working with teachers, administrators, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, and other related providers. My favorite part of my job is collaborating with other professionals to help clients reach their potential.
Professional Presentations
I am available to provide community presentations as well as inservices and professional development workshops for schools, therapy clinics, and other social service agencies. Additionally, I am happy to work with extracurricular programs to help develop inclusive programming for children and adolescents with diverse learning and communication needs. Please see the For Professionals tab for more information.
Insurance and Payment
Robin's Key is an in-network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) PPO and Blue Choice plans and will submit claims on your behalf. If you have other insurance, I can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to insurance if you have out-of-network benefits. Private payment is also accepted, and a sliding scale is available. Payment is accepted via cash, check, FSA/HSA, or credit card (most major cards accepted).

Current Groups

My Voice Social Group Flyer
File Size: 115 kb
File Type: pdf
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My Voice: Therapeutic Social Groups

For tweens and teens with ADHD, autism, language disorders, nonverbal learning differences (NVLD), social anxiety, and other social differences, it can be difficult to "feel heard" and find friends who "get" them. In these neurodiversity affirming groups, preteens and teens develop their individual "voice" by exploring what they want out of interpersonal relationships and developing confidence in their own communication. Group members learn how to build meaningful friendships, navigate different perspectives, put their thoughts and emotions into words, manage conflict, advocate for themselves, and communicate in different social contexts in ways that are meaningful to them.
Each group meets once per week for 50-55 minutes.
Location: ​In person at our Skokie office
Cost: $60 per session; Initial intake assessment required; BCBS PPO and Blue Choice plans accepted

Skills and strategies addressed are adapted to client interests and needs but may include:

  • Self confidence, self acceptance, and self advocacy
  • Social cognitive skills (e.g., perspective taking, flexible thinking, verbal & nonverbal communication)
  • Executive functioning skills (e.g., task initiation, planning, organizing, goal setting, and time management)
  • Developing awareness of one's own thoughts and feelings towards others
  • Learning when and how to ask for help
  • Metacognitive skills (thinking about your own thinking)
  • Inferencing and problem solving
Who I Serve
My Approach