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Susan M. Raad, M.A., CCC-SLP
President/CEO
Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist
Susan Raad opened the Communication Clubhouse in October, 2002. With over 20 years experience in
Speech Pathology combined with a corporate marketing and management background, Susan wanted to
create an ideal environment for families, as well as a state-of-the-art facility for practicing
professionals to deliver the highest quality services.
Susan is the co-founder of the first oral school for the deaf in Illinois and has served as the
President and on the Board of Directors for a not-for-profit
organization. Susan has provided training in Child Development and a wide variety of therapeutic
interventions for both professionals and the public. Most notably, Susan is mother to two extraordinary
children, who have special needs.
Allison A., M.S., CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist
Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist
Allison joined the Clubhouse in July 2003. Allison received her Bachelors Degree from the University of Illinois and her
Masters Degree from Marquette University. Her prior experience in public schools allows her to assist parents during
the transition into school programs, and to collaborate with the child’s school-based clinician. Allison is a credentialed
evaluator for the Early Intervention program and conducts speech evaluations for the Clubhouse. Allison truly enjoys
working with young children and is very dedicated to their families. Her loyalty extends to her colleagues where as lead
therapist she offers support and mentoring, and encourages professional development in all the therapists associated with
the clubhouse.
Andrea Rogers — Business Manager
Andrea joined the Clubhouse as a consultant in 2005 and continues to serve as a business development project manager.
She has a 20 year history in management and strategic planning with a Fortune 100 Corporation in the healthcare field.
Diane L. — Program Director
Diane recently came to the Clubhouse in July 2008. Her recent experience was as Service Coordinator for Child and Family
Connections. Diane has a Bachelor in Education with an undergraduate major in speech therapy and hard of hearing. She has
many years of experience in working with families and children who possess a variety of disorders, diagnosis and needs.
Cynthia T. — Chicago Clinic Manager
Cynthia has a B.S.-Bachelor of Psychology from University of Illinois-Chicago.
Cynthia joined the Clubhouse in August 2008. She was a Service Coordinator with Child and Family Connections prior to her
employment with the Clubhouse. Cynthia has brought her knowledge and experience in working with early intervention families
to the Clubhouse. In addition Cynthia was involved with Healthy Families in assessments and support. Cynthia has a passion
and experience in working with multi-cultural families.
Shannon H. — Director of Client Operations
Shannon joined the Clubhouse in August 2008. She received her Bachelor of Psychology from Aurora University. Her background
as a Service Coordinator for Early Intervention provides her with the knowledge and compassion to meet the needs of families.
SPEECH THERAPY
Tina P., M.A., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (Saint Louis University)
Tina joined the Clubhouse in April 2004. She received both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from St. Louis
University, one of the top rated graduate schools in the U.S. She has worked with the birth to three year old population
for the past six years. Tina has extensive training and experience in feeding, oral motor, and various speech and
language disorders. Tina is a credentialed Early Intervention Evaluator, and services children in Chicago and Oak Park
in addition to our Clubhouse based kids.
Alexandra K., M.A., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Alex joined the Clubhouse in 2004. She received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Saint Louis University,
one of the top rated graduate schools in the U.S. Alex’s areas of interest include childhood apraxia of speech,
autism, articulation and phonological speech disorders, and picky eaters/feeding concerns. Alex is a credentialed early
intervention evaluator. She also has extensive community service experience, working with many different cultures in a
variety of settings. Alex serves as our lead therapist at the Chicago Site.
Amber K., M.S., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Amber joined the Clubhouse in 2005 with a Masters Degree from Western Illinois University. She brings years of experience
working with children and adults who have special needs. Her primary areas of interest include articulation and phonological
disorders, fluency disorders, expressive/receptive language delay, and apraxia. She sees clients at the Clubhouse as well
as in the public schools, and serves as the Clubhouse Clinical Specialist for School Diagnostics.
Diala S., M.A., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Diala joined the Clubhouse in September 2005. She received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Saint Louis University,
one of the top rated graduate schools in the U.S. Her primary areas of interests are: apraxia of speech, oral motor deficits,
articulation and phonological disorders, autism, and sensory integration dysfunction. In addition to having many areas of
expertise and a terrific demeanor with children, she is fluent in both English and Arabic. She also has great experience with
diverse and multicultural populations in a variety of settings. Diala serves as the Clubhouse Clinical Specialist in
Bilingual and Bicultural issues.
Amanda P., M.A., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda joined the Communication Clubhouse in 2006 after receiving her Masters Degree from prestigious St. Louis University.
Her primary areas of interest include expressive/receptive language delays, apraxia, and articulation/phonological disorders.
Amanda is fluent in sign language and works closely with members of the deaf community.
Lauren A., M.A., CCC-SLP — Licensed Speech Pathologist
Lauren joined the Clubhouse in July 2006. She received her master’s degree from Wayne State University in Michigan.
Lauren has worked and volunteered in various settings with a diverse group of children and their families. Her primary
areas of interest include expressive/receptive language delay, phonological disorders, and apraxia.
Kerry H., M. S., CCC-SLP, — Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
Kerry received her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Marquette University, and was the recipient of the Alfred J.
Sokolnicki Clinical Excellence Award. Her knowledge and skill range across a variety of settings and she has specialized
experience with deaf and hard of hearing children, as well as public school experience.
Michelle B., M.A. CF, — Speech-Language Pathologist
Michelle joined Communication Clubhouse in 2008 after receiving her Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University. She believes
in early intervention and its purpose of minimizing and hopefully extinguishing an issue before it becomes a debilitating problem.
A team approach, with family members playing a vital role throughout the treatment of their child, is a therapy model that Michelle
is passionate about. In addition, Michelle strongly believes in the importance of equipping children with the appropriate language,
play, and social skills that all children need in order to make priceless friendships with their peers.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Jeanine G., OTR/L — Licensed Occupational Therapist
Jeanine joins the Clubhouse with outstanding experience. She has years of experience in pediatric Occupational
Therapy and is NDT certified. Jeanine brings a broad perspective to her work with families due to her background
in settings ranging from the public schools to individualized therapy with private clients.
Jenny G., M.S., OTR/L — Licensed Occupational Therapist
Jenny Joined the Clubhouse in April, 2007 with her graduate degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a licensed
occupational therapist who has worked in early intervention for two years. Jenny also has experience working in an
intensive preschool for children with autism. She has received formal training in the Wilbarger Deep Pressure
Proprioceptive Technique and specializes in working with children with Sensory Processing Disorder.
Jennifer F., BA, COTA/L — Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant
Jen received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Spanish from Luther College (Decorah, IA), and her Associates
Degree in Occupational Therapy from College of DuPage. She has spent the last three years working with children with
autism spectrum disorders in a therapeutic day school. She has also taught family based motor and sensory programs
for children with ASD. Jen has experience with Sensory Integration, the Protective Response Regimen, Handwriting
Without Tears, the "See it Right!" program, and "How does your engine run?".
Elise H, M.S, OTR/L
Elise received her M.S. from University of Illinois at Chicago. She joined the Clubhouse in 2008 with prior background in
Early Intervention and the treatment of children with autism. She co-authored in the International Journal o MS care which
addressed the assistive technology and the decision making process involved in selection of appropriate equipment.
PSYCH/COUNSELING
Anne, M.A., ATR, LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor-Registered Art Therapist
Anne has worked as a therapist with varying client populations for 20 years. Her clients have ranged in age
from infants to seniors with emotional/mental disabilities, developmental/learning disabilities, behavior
disorders and physical disabilities. Anne employs the use of art as a tool to assist in the growing/healing
process. She has extensive experience working with individuals, groups, and families. Anne has also implemented
and executed a vairety of Art Therapy training programs for health care professionals and numerous child/parent
workshops.
Frank B., LCPC — Licensed Clincal Professional Counselor
The Clubhouse welcomed Frank in 2008, and is proud to offer his vast experience and expertise to our families. Frank brings
over 20 years of experience as a Clinical Counselor with families in need and has spent much of his career focusing on the
unique issues surrounding children with special needs. In addition to his Clinical Counseling skills, Frank spent 18 years as
a Foster parent to children with special needs, including kids with autism, Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Frank is
also a nationally certified Personal Fitness Trainer, and uses these skills in our therapy groups which focus on movement an
intervention tool. He is the Past President of the Mental Health Association of Illinois and brings many other talents to the
Clubhouse.
Tom U., LCSW — Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Tom received his Masters in Social Work from Loyola, and has over 7 years of experience working with youth and families.
His background is diverse and includes experience as a crisis response team leader and the creation of youth development
programs. His experience as a mental health counselor has included work in a therapeutic day school, inpatient psychiatric
hospital, public school, residential program and a social services organization. Tom is a muralist and incorporates art
into many of his sessions. He also lends his talents in guitar and keyboard to incorporate music into his therapy with
children. He also has specialized expertise in Family Therapy, grief counseling and other specialized interventions.
AURAL REHABILITATION
Emily A., B.A., D.T. — Aural Rehab Specialist
Emily has a Bachelors Degree in deaf education and brings with her extensive experience in helping deaf and
hard of hearing children maximize their speech, language and cognitive skills for successful social and
academic learning. Her experience ranges from work with cochlear implants to sign language. She is also
proficient in Cued Speech.
Susan Raad M.A., CCC-SLP
Susan leads the team of specialists who treat children with hearing loss. She brings a parent perspective as well
as years of specialization in working with deaf and hard of hearing children. Susan has long been an advocate of
offering families an array of options to consider, and has extensive knowledge in the areas of cochlear implants,
cued speech, signed communication, auditory oral approaches and auditory verbal techniques. Susan counsels families
in making an educated choice for their children and guides parents with an objective and balanced perspective of the
many choices available.
DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPISTS
Anne C., M.A. — Professional Counselor, D.T.
In addition to Anne's experience as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist, Anne is a
Credentialed Developmental Therapist.
Lisa C., M.E.D. — Developmental Therapist
Lisa has been working as a Developmental Therapist in the Early Intervention system since 2004. She is also a credentialed Early Intervention Evaluator and
Aural Habilitation Specialist. Lisa contributes special insight through her background as a Child Life Specialist. She
has Masters degrees in both Child Development and Deaf Education.
Joan B. — Developmental Therapist and Parent Liason
Joan joined the Clubhouse in August 2008. Joan received her Masters in Early Childhood Special Education from Elmhurst College. She has two children with
special needs and experience with Early Intervention as a parent. Joan has a special interest in Autism and leads the monthly Support Group here at the
Clubhouse.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Beth M., — DPT, Licensed Physical Therapist
Dr. Beth began working at the Clubhouse in March, 2007. She graduated from the University of Iowa with her doctorate in
Physical Therapy. Beth is a credentialed Early Intervention evaluator and therapist. Beth has a special interest in working with children
with neuromuscular disorders/delays. Beth enjoys working both individually with her clients and in groups like
“Karate for Everyone” and “Super Kids!”.
Vicki G., — Licensed Physical Therapist
Vicki joined the Clubhouse as a licensed Physical Therapist with 15 years of experience. Vicki’s experience includes working
within school and rehab settings as well as the private clinic. She is specialized in Pediatrics.
MUSIC THERAPY
Shannon S., M. A. — Board Certified Music Therapist
Shannon and her guitar have joined our Clubhouse. We already are so excited to hear the music coming down the halls. Shannon has many years of experience in
working with a variety of children in a in different settings both community and private setting. She will be available for individual and group settings.
ADMINISTRATION
Sue K. — Billing Manager
Sue is an important member of our team and helps all of our families with their billing related issues. Sue is the very
proud mother of two children, including a son with special needs.
Kim H. — Billing Manager
Kim joined the Clubhouse in February 2008. Kim
Received a Bachelor in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. Prior to joining the Clubhouse, Kim was the Office Manager for a Chiropractor’s
office in the area. Kim’s educational knowledge, billing experience and her love of children makes Kim an ideal Billing Manager.
