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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.
SPEECH THERAPY
Alexandra G., 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.
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., — 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.
Kate G., M.S., CF-SLP, — Speech–Language Pathologist
Kate joined Communication Clubhouse in 2008 after receiving her Masters degree from Gallaudet University, with a focus in working with the
deaf and hard of hearing children. Kate’s other areas of interest include expressive/receptive language delays, articulation/phonological
disorders, and apraxia. In addition, Kate is fluent in American Sign Language and knowledgeable with cued speech.
Laura D., MT-BC, M.A., CF-SLP, — Speech–Language Pathologist
Laura joined the Clubhouse in June, 2009, after receiving her Master's degree in Speech Pathology from Indiana University. She earned a Bachelor
of Music degree from Illinois State University and became a Board Certified Music Therapist in 2004. She loves working with young children, and
believes that early exposure to services can have a major impact upon a child's language performance in later years. She currently lives in
Roselle and enjoys dancing, watching movies and travel TV shows, and singing opera.
Arlinda N., M.H.S., — Speech-Language Pathologist
Arlinda joined the Clubhouse in August 2008 with a Masters Degree from
Governors State University. Her primary areas of interest include articulation, and receptive and expressive language. She presently
collaborates with other professionals and parents in a public school setting to facilitate students’ academic skills. Arlinda is fluent in both
English and Spanish.
Darcy J., M.S. CCC-SLP/L., — Licensed Speech Therapist
This is Darcy’s second year with Communication Clubhouse. Darcy received her undergraduate degree at University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana in
2004 and Masters at Saint Xavier University in 2006. She currently resides in the City of Chicago and works full time in the schools in a nearby
suburb. Schools are a challenge, balancing caseload vs. workload. Darcy addresses articulation and language disorders in the public schools.
Most of the students are bilingual. Darcy consults with teachers in the district for the reading Assistance Program that gets parents more
involved in their child’s reading habits.
Kristin B., M.A. CF-SLP — Speech-Language Pathologist
Joined the Communication Clubhouse in 2009 after receiving her Masters of Science from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Her interests include
oral-moral and sensory-based feeding disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation and Phonological disorders, as well as
Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has clinical experience with children birth to adolescence, with a special interest in early intervention.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Natalie L., M.S., OTR-L — Occupational Therapist
Natalie joined the Clubhouse this pass summer. She graduated with a Masters from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Natalie has three years
experience working with infant’s hospital nurseries. Natalie loves playing with children. Natalie continues to pursue further education with
numerous continuing education courses on various aspects of sensory integration dysfunction.
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.
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.
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.
Katie P., M.S.,D.T. — Developmental Therapist
Katie received her Masters Degree in Child Development with Infancy Specialiation from Erikson Institute in Chicago during which she completed
an 8-month internship in early intervention. Katie brings her experience as a Child Life Specialist, Respite Worker, and Infant/Toddler Assistant
Teacher to her new role as a credentialed Developmental Therapist. She believes in family-centered early intervention and in building on the
strengths of the child and the family.
MUSIC THERAPY
Shannon S., M.A., D.T. — 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. — Client Operations
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.
Kathy K. — Office Assistant/ Receptionist
Kathy joined Communication Clubhouse March 2007. Kathy was in Customer Service for 11 years. She is the first person many people speak with when
the call the Communication Clubhouse. Kathy is always very friendly and outgoing with our clients and families. She is a key person to the
overall and daily activities at the Clubhouse. Kathy’s most valuable asset is her smile. Kathy is always ready to accomplish anything and
everything!
