Emily Smith, MS, CCC-SLP Director, Head of Speech-Language Therapy Department

Roles: 

· Founding Director of TLC

· Head of Speech-Language Pathology Department

· Supervisor for SLPAs & Interns

Degree: 

· Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from 

  CSU Sacramento, 2007

CA License: 

· Speech-Language Pathologist - SP 16820

Certifications: 

· American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA) #12141821

Experience: 

· 25+ years working with neurodivergent individuals with complex disabilities in 

  private practice

· Worked in the behavioral field from 1997-2007 (overlapping with speech 

  therapy from 2000-2007)

· Daughter of Paul Smith, PhD, founder of the world’s first Professional Assault 

  Response Training (now branded as Pro-ACT), teaching professionals 

  to safely deescalate aggressive client behavior.

Focus Areas:

· Augmentative & alternative communication (AAC)

· Complex communication disorders

· Social-emotional skills

· Self-advocacy

Therapeutic Style:

· Heartfelt, holistic, family-centered approach

· Uses Floortime/DIR therapy and extensive training to tailor support

· Dives deep into intrinsic motivation and correlations between communication 

  and behavior

Personal Interests: 

· Art

· Yoga

· Gardening

· Chickens

· Continued learning

Described as: 

· Creative

· Compassionate

· Energetic

· Insightful

· Out-of-the-box thinker