Pediatric Speech Therapy Services

We are Dedicated to Eliminating Speech and Language Barriers for El Paso’s Children

Children 0 – 20 Years Old

  • Your child is special to us and it is our mission to make significant gains in the area of speech and/or language.
  • Your child’s individual needs are addressed…there are no “groups”.
  • We offer Bilingual Therapy in English or Spanish.
  • Does your child need speech therapy? Find out why New Beginnings is right for your child.

Family-Based Intervention

  • As a parent, you are allowed in therapy sessions with your child and you have input into your child’s plan of care.
  • We listen to your concerns and work with you to optimize your child’s progress in therapy, at home, and at school.
  • We provide parent/family education that teaches you the best approach to continuing your child’s progress between speech therapy sessions.

 

Therapy When and Where You Need It!

  • Open Monday – Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and by appointment on Saturdays.
  • There is no “Waiting List”.
  • We have after school openings.
  • Your therapist will work with you to find the right time for you and your child.
  • Your can choose to have your child’s therapy at one of our two convenient eastside El Paso locations.

MEET OUR QUALIFIED STAFF!

Cathlene Chapman, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

 

Cathy is an Auditory-Verbal Specialist, Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Teacher of the Deaf and Learning Disabled. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas in Speech Communication and Deaf Education and her Master of Science and Speech Disorders from Texas Women University in Speech-Language Pathology.

Cathy earned her LSLS certification as an Auditory-Verbal Educator from A.G. Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

She has served as a Board Member and Chairperson of the Advisory Council for En Voz Alta and as the Founder/Director of Summer Day Camp for Children with Hearing Loss in El Paso.

Cathy has over 20 years of experience working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in both clinical and school settings. She was born and raised in El Paso. Cathy is married to her husband, JT, and they have one handsome son.

Annette Barron, M.S., SLP-Intern

Speech-Language Pathologist – Intern

Annette is a native El Pasoan who received her Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso. She obtained her Speech-Language Pathology Assistant license and has worked in pediatric speech therapy in home health, and for the last seven years in a private practice setting. Annette has worked with children with various needs such as: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Accent Reduction, Aphasia, Apraxia, Articulation Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (DD/ADHAD), Autism Spectrum, Cluttering, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, and Stuttering. She recently graduated with her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is currently working on achieving her Auditory Verbal Therapy certification and plans to get further trained in feeding therapy.

Annette enjoys working with children and providing them with the skills needed to let their voice be heard. She believes in early intervention and working with families to improve and increase a child’s communication skills. Annette values the verse “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Heb. 10:24 NLT). She is a past secretary of the El Paso Speech and Hearing Association. New Beginnings is happy to have Annette on their amazing team!

Daniella Anchondo, M.S., SLP-Intern

Speech-Language Pathologist – Intern

Daniella earned her bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Emerson College in Boston, MA. As a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, Daniella shows an interest in the areas of feeding, dysphagia, and increasing language abilities. Daniella believes in shaping therapy sessions with each child’s abilities and needs in mind to help them achieve a better quality of life. Daniella also understands the importance of collaborating with other disciplines, such as Occupational Therapy, in order to help generalize speech and language skills. “The ultimate and overall goal is to provide exposure and a stimulating learning environment where children of all backgrounds can relate to in order to improve their daily communication skills.” In her free time, Daniella enjoys spending time with her loved ones, traveling, and spoiling her dogs.

Jordan Orozco, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Jordan Orozco is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Feeding Therapist who works with infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children to help support their unique feeding and swallow difficulties. Jordan understands the various complexities that come with feeding/swallowing and the stressors that may impact parents/caregivers when their children are not eating well. Jordan believes that children deserve to feel confident and comfortable during mealtime. Jordan chose to pursue a career as an SLP because she believes that the ability to communicate and safely feed/swallow are two of the most intimate experiences one can have, and every child deserves that opportunity. Jordan holds a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Texas at El Paso. Jordan is passionate about the El Paso community and has pursued a career as a pediatric speech-language pathologist to not only serve children in the community but their families as well. Jordan holds training in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Feeding Approach, which is a nationally and internationally recognized clinical program in helping children develop an improved life-long relationship with food. Jordan also holds training certificates in feeding 6–16-month-old infants and feeding children on the Autism spectrum.

Katelyn Vera, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Katie is a home grown El Paso native and UTEP graduate. She became a Speech-Language Pathologist because she aspired to have a career dedicated to helping many people. Katie has focused her career thus far in the pediatric population in the specialty areas of dysphagia and food aversion therapy. Katie feels that eating not only provides nutrition for a growing child but should also be an enjoyable experience for a child and their family. Her professional goal as a feeding specialist is to work with a child and their family to identify and treat eating difficulties by increasing oral-motor skills and acceptance of foods in order to provide proper nutrition and alleviate stress during mealtimes.

Katie has training in the Sequential Oral Sensory Feeding Approach, a nationally recognized feeding program for children with sensory issues. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Stephanie Oropeza, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Stephanie is a bilingual Speech- Language Pathologist who received her Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from New Mexico State University in 2021. Stephanie has experience working with individuals who have a multitude of needs including Autism, ADD/ADHD, Developmental Delays, Dysphagia, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, Stuttering, Aphasia, Voice Disorders, Feeding/Swallowing Disorders, etc. She is very passionate about offering services that are meaningful to her patients and their families which will positively impact their everyday lives. She likes to create an environment where her patients feel safe and have fun learning! Stephanie is continuing her education and learning journey in the area of Feeding therapy & Food Aversion therapy to better serve our El Paso community.

Albina Pando, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Hello! My name is Albina. I graduated with my bachelor’s in Communication Disorder from New Mexico State University in the summer of 2020. As a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, working with kids is my passion. My favorite part of working with kids is being capable of helping them find their voice and being able to watch the them grow and meet their goals. Working with different disorders has helped me grow and become more creative. I’m so excited to be part of the New Beginning’s team and to continue to work with many amazing children, families, and therapists.

Gabriela Gallegos, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Gabby is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathology Assistant who received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in December 2013. Gabby has over 9 years of experience working in the El Paso community. She has experience treating pediatric patients with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, fluency (stuttering) disorders, Autism, articulation disorders, and language disorders.

Gabby believes in the importance of play therapy and how it deeply it impacts the advancement of a patient’s progress. She loves creating interactive and engaging play therapy by using books, toys, arts and crafts, technology and many other objects as a part of language intervention to help stimulate language development. Modeling correct sounds, syllables, words and language for a child during age-appropriate play therapy to enable the child to speak and to be able to understand what they are saying. Most importantly providing and teaching parents strategies for their child as homework. Gabby believes in helping parents to work on carry-over strategies to enhance speech production in their child’s daily routines at home.

“I teach kids to talk back, because everyone deserves a VOICE!” is Gabby’s mantra.

Norma Medina, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Norma is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant with over 6 years of experience in pediatric care. She received her Bachelors in Multidisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at El Paso in December 2013. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas she was always interested in the education and well-being of children. As a college student her jobs always consisted of working with children, including daycares and with the YWCA as an after-school program leader. This led her to truly value the significance of a child’s experience as they grow and being part of that foundation towards a healthy, loving upbringing. Norma believes love and compassion are essential to providing functional language and speech therapy as well as fostering effective communication with family members through personalized counseling and education. 

Janette Gomez, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Janette Gomez is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant. Janette received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017. Janette has specialized in pediatrics, and has experience working with children with ASD, ADHD, and Down Syndrome. Janette has a love for languages as she knows 7 languages, including American Sign Language. Janette believes that communication is a beautiful thing, and everyone deserves to be heard.

When Janette is not helping children with their speech, she is usually Salsa dancing or taking care of her two dogs. Janette is passionate about her job and helping family members collaborate with their children, as she believes teamwork makes the dream work. Janette has attended the American Speech Language and Hearing Association Congress multiple times, to continue her education and better help her patients.

Jessica Ortiz, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Jessica is a proud El Pasoan who graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, with a Bachelor’s of Linguistics and minor -n speech language pathology in 2015. She earned the Cum Laude honors and graduated as the outstanding Linguistics major.

Jessica worked as a behavioral interventionist at ACES for about 2 years and in the home health setting with mainly military families. She is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist assistant who enjoys working with children. She believes that in order to provide a great service, first you need to prioritize the patient’s and family’s needs. There are 3 values that reflect who Jessica is as a therapist; Respect, she respects the family’s religion, beliefs and priorities. Innovation, she’s always willing to learn to provide the best service to all of her patients and finally Love. She loves every single one of her patients and she believes that love makes a big difference in each child’s success. She loves being the person they see as a friend but also person who they want to learn from. Jessica decided to study speech-language pathology while working as a Behavior Interventionist, since she realized that most of her clients struggled to communicate their needs and wants which would trigger their behaviors. She saw the importance of communication whether it was using words, signs, or picture exchange symbols.

Carla Rodriguez, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Carla Rodriguez is a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant who was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Carla attended Eastern New Mexico University and the University of Texas at El Paso where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with a minor in Speech-Language Pathology in the fall of 2017. As an El Paso native, Carla is fluent in English and Spanish. She has 5+ years of childcare experience and is passionate about helping her patients succeed! In previous years she taught in the school system. Carla now works with infants, toddlers, and school-age children. She enjoys play-based therapy for early language and helping children develop their expressive and receptive language skills. Carla is passionate about finding different ways to keep her patients motivated in therapy. Her main reason for joining the field of speech pathology was wanting to make a positive impact in the lives of children and helping them find their voice. Carla believes everyone deserves to be heard!

Delia Gomez, M.S., SLP-Intern

Speech-Language Pathology Intern

Delia is a bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist who has experience treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Apraxia, receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation and phonological impairments. She has over 7 years of experience working for the El Paso community. She has additional experience working with adults with various neurological impairments and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on cognition, aphasia, apraxia, and dysphagia. Delia received her Bachelors and Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Delia strongly believes in a family centered approach, as she recognizes the essential role families play in the growth and development of their child. Delia aspires to integrate individualized treatment techniques in order to assist her patients, by using their strengths in order to facilitate the learning process. She understands it is important to adapt to every individual. Delia takes inspiration from the following quote of Ignacio Estrada, “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

Rachel Gonzalez, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Rachel is a Bilingual Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Feeding Specialist. She received a Bachelor’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 2011 from the University of Arizona. Soon after, she completed her SLPA (assistant) license and serviced Arizona’s pediatric population for 3 years. In 2020, she graduated with a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology at UTEP. Currently, Rachel has serviced the pediatric population with a variety of communication disorders for over 12 years. She has provided services to children with Autism, articulation/phonological disorders, food aversions, sensory aversions, oral motor deficits, expressive/receptive language delays, and pragmatic deficits. Rachel is a member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and has training in Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS), a feeding approach. Rachel believes in the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” hence why she enjoys working for a company where she can provide a multidisciplinary approach. Rachel enjoys servicing patients alongside our occupational therapist to achieve each child’s treatment goals and meet their specific needs; aiding in an individualized and holistic approach.  

Michelle Gonzalez, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Michelle is a bilingual, certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Texas at El Paso with a minor in Speech-Language Pathology. Michelle then went on to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Tx, to complete her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders. Michelle has worked in various settings throughout her career including an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, public schools, private services and an outpatient clinic. When she is not treating patients, Michelle spends time with her four-year-old son and enjoys traveling around the world.

Victoria Chacon, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Victoria Chacon is a Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has an interest in the areas of feeding, dysphagia, and increasing her patient’s speech and language skills. Victoria, or “Tori” as we like to call her, is also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). She enjoys implementing ASL skills with children who are not able to verbally communicate. Tori has worked with children who have been diagnosed with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and speech and language delays. Aside from the skills she has gained over her experience as an SLP, she is interested in expanding her skills in the area of feeding and dysphagia. She was able to be trained in assessing and treating Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) at New Beginnings, which is a restriction of frenas (tongue, lip, cheek ties) that can affect the way an individual speaks, eats, and swallows. Prior to choosing this career, Tori knew she was interested in working with children. She chose this path because she got to be a crucial part in a child’s journey when working towards a better quality of life. Tori believes it is important to work closely with patient families and other disciplines, and to build rapport with her patients and their parents/caretakers to assist with a higher success rate or great outcomes. Tori states, “It is such a reward to be able to see the children’s progress and to hear their families express how happy they are to communicate with their children in a way they weren’t able to before.”

Andrea Cannistraro, SLPA

Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

Being part of a military family, Andrea comes with lots of experience from many states including Massachusetts, Virginia and now Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences from Bridgewater State University in 2017.

Andrea has worked with children and young adults for 7 years in a variety of settings, including residential treatment and public/private education. She has experience caring for individuals with Deaf-Blindness, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorders, Mobility difficulties, maladaptive behaviors, and various Speech/Language Disorders.

In the future, Andrea plans to go back to school to further her education in Speech Pathology with the intention to better her abilities for helping others to find their voice!

When Andrea is not in the office, she enjoys exploring outside, playing Ultimate Frisbee and being an avid baker who tries to learn a new recipe every week! She is very excited to continue her work with the New Beginnings family!

Monica Tullius, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist

A licensed Speech-Language Pathologist for over 24 years, Monica has been in private practice for the last 11 years. She is the Clinical Administrator and Owner of the New Beginnings Pediatric Speech Therapy Services, PLLC clinics where she supervises and leads a team of Speech Pathology Clinicians.

Prior to opening her private practice, Monica was a Speech-Language Pathologist in the public school system for many years. She also has experience in pediatric Speech Therapy in home health, charter schools, and private schools. She has worked with children with an array of needs, such as: Autism Spectrum, Language Disorder, Augmentative Communication, Voice Disorder, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Articulation Disorder, Learning Disability, Intellectual Disability, Down Syndrome, Stuttering, Hearing/Visual Impairment, and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

She loves changing the lives of her patients!

Monica received her Orofacial Myofunctional training through the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT).

Monica is an active Member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), Texas Speech Language Hearing Association, and a Member of the Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences (AAMS). She is a past Secretary of the EI Paso Speech and Hearing Association (EPSHA).

Christine Ramirez Adame, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist

Christine is a bilingual Certified Speech-Language Pathologist who is compassionate and shows caring for each one of her patients. Before coming to New Beginnings and serving as our Rich Beem Clinic Director, she worked for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

She is very interested in Tethered Oral Tissues (TOT’s) and the problems they can cause for posture, breast feeding, chewing, sleeping, and breathing. Christine also received her training in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy at the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT).

Christine is interested in advancing her knowledge of sleep and OMD’s to better help children and parents who may not even realize that TOT’s may negatively affect the entire body system. She is a member of the Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences (AAMS).

FIND US AT 2 LOCATIONS

Eastside Office

1512 N Zaragoza Rd Ste C-1
El Paso, Texas 79936
Phone: (915) 855-0601

Far Eastside Office

3551 Rich Beem Ste B
El Paso, Texas 79938
Phone: (915) 303-5177

MEMBERSHIPS

CERTIFICATIONS
Hanen Centre – It Takes Two to Talk

For questions or for an evaluation call one of our office locations:
(915) 855-0601 (East) or (915) 303-5177 (Far East)