Speech-Language Therapists
Paula Aichele, M.A., CCC-SLP
Paula received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders from West Chester University and her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University. While studying at NYU, Paula had the opportunity to spend time in Sweden and Denmark, learning about advancements in research in speech and language. Following graduation, Paula began working at the Institute for Child Development at Hackensack University Medical Center where she completed her Clinical Fellowship and remained part of the Communication Disorders department for 6 years, working solely in pediatrics. While at ICD, Paula was able to develop and refine her therapeutic skills by providing therapy for children ranging in age from 12 months through adolescence with a wide variety of speech and language disorders including Autistic Spectrum Disorders, feeding disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, hearing impairment, apraxia, Down Syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injury including that as a result of pediatric cancer and cancer medications. In addition to providing individual therapy, Paula also facilitated Feeding Groups focusing on the Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding. Paula worked extensively with other therapeutic services including Physical and Occupational therapists, learning consultants, psychologists, and Developmental Pediatricians to coordinate care of patients. In addition to providing therapy services, Paula developed extensive skills in the evaluation of speech and language disorders in children, especially in the under 3 population. Paula participated in Team/Comprehensive Evaluations of both the under 3 and school aged populations. She has extensive experience educating families faced with the initial diagnosis of a speech and language disorder. In addition to being part of the Creative Speech Solutions, LLC team, Paula is part of the Speech Department at New Beginnings, a private school for children ages 3-21 with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Fairfield, NJ. At New Beginnings, Paula has been able to learn more about Augmentative Alternative Communication including the Picture Exchange Communication System.
Paula has received the Award for Continuing Education from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association twice. She has been trained in Kay Toomey’s Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding and the PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) therapeutic system. She has attended multiple oral-motor and feeding conferences by Erin Ross, Catherine Shaker, Justine Joan Sheppard, Hilda Pressman, Lynn Wolf and Robin Glass, and many others. In addition, Paula has traveled to St. Louis, Mo. to the Central Institute for the Deaf for their course on cochlear implants. Most recently, Paula has attended the Optimizing Auditory Skill Development mini-series presented by The Children’s Hearing Institute in New York.
Paula is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Speech Language Pathologist. She also holds a certificate from the New Jersey Department of Education as a Speech-Language Specialist. Paula has a special interest in medically based speech and language disorders, feeding disorders, hearing impairment, oral-motor, and apraxia.