Therapy Services

Speech-Language Pathology

• Verbal and/or non-verbal communication systems
• Oral motor development
• Language development (expressing and understanding)
• Speech sound production
• Feeding skills/development
• Socialization & Social Skills Groups

Occupational Therapy

• Sensory integration/processing
• Fine motor development (hand strength, cutting, griping, gluing)
• Prewriting and writing skills
• Activities of daily living (feeding, dressing, toileting)
• Core strength
• Sensory processing
• Body awareness
• Coordination and strengthening
• Music and movement

Developmental Therapy/CBRS

• Overall general development for ages birth to 3
• Gross Motor Development
• Cognitive Development
• Social competency skills
• Early classroom management skills

Meet the Team

At Aspen our staff is dedicated to a team approach to all people we serve. We look at each individual child as a unique “tree” that we assist grow with our knowledge, compassion and support.

Lisa Wagner, M.A. CCC-SLP

Founder & CEO

Lisa has been a working SLP for over 20 years and has a true passion for early intervention. Lisa graduated with her master’s degree from the University of Buffalo and relocated to the Raleigh area in 1998. Lisa started Aspen in 2004 and is the creator of the Aspen’s preschool programs. She now leads a wonderful staff in carrying out Aspen’s mission. Lisa’s experiences go beyond preschool to include medical settings such as the ICU and various school systems. Despite working in these amazing settings; Early Intervention continues to be her true love. Lisa’s time and education in Speech Pathology has lead her to become a skillful practitioner for Apraxia, Autism, Sensory Integration, feeding issues, and Developmental Delays that effect speech and language development. Lisa has been trained in PROMPT therapy and utilizes this approach with many of her clients. Lisa has worked in interdisciplinary teams for years and has gained experience from teachers, occupational and physical therapists to better serve the whole child and family. Lisa is married to her husband Jeff, she has a 10 year old daughter and 2 spoiled dogs!

Karla Compton~M.Ed., SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist~ Preschool Director-Cary location

Karla is the Preschool Director for the Aspen’s Cary location. She is from Raleigh and currently lives in Apex with her husband, son and her dog, Lucy. She is a graduate from North Carolina Central University receiving her Masters Degree in Communications Disorders. She graduated specializing in culturally responsive early intervention and assistive technology. Her experience includes: working in a skilled nursing facility, various elementary schools in Wake, Durham, and Wilson counties, as well as working in a preschool specializing in assistive technology for infants and preschoolers. Karla has experience working with children with articulation and phonological delays, expressive and receptive language disorders, apraxia and autism. She also has experience and specific training in PECS and ESL, as well as accent modification. Karla is an empathetic therapist who strives to have fun and engaging sessions that help children reach their full potential.

Jenna Meehan ~ M.S., OTR/L 

Occupational Therapist

Jenna is a New Jersey native and a second generation pediatric occupational therapist. She graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2009 with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. She has practiced occupational therapy for over 5 years in New Jersey, Virginia, and North Carolina. She has worked in a variety of settings including public and private schools, vocational rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient clinics, sensory integration clinics and Early Intervention. In 2012, Jenna earned a graduate certification for Applied Behavior Analysis through Penn State University. She is currently working on obtaining certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analysis. Jenna has always had a passion for learning about different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives to provide the best child and family centered care. She is excited to join the Aspen Center team! I am proud to be able to work collaboratively with children, their families, and colleagues to build upon their strengths and guide them to their goals. Jenna lives in Durham with her husband, son, daughter and dog.

Danielle Doll, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Danielle received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University. Go App! She discovered her true passion for working with children during practicum placements in a preschool language classroom as well as an elementary school setting. A practicing therapist since 2012, she has worked in both a private practice serving children in a clinic and their natural environment, as well as a public elementary school serving a caseload of children with a wide variety of needs and abilities. While in the public schools Danielle served on the Augmentative and Assistive Technology Team. Her primary focus and passion is serving young children with communication disorders and teaching through play while encouraging family members to be active participants in their child’s growth. When not working Danielle loves to be outside, spend time with family and friends and try new recipes from Pinterest. Danielle lives in Apex with her husband Christopher and spoiled dog Cooper.

Jamie Smith ~ITFSC

Early Childhood Education/Psychology

Jamie moved to Raleigh 12 years ago to receive her undergraduate degree and has made Raleigh her home. While attending Meredith College, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development. She focused her degree in Child Development and student teaching experience on working with severe and profound special needs children. After graduating from Meredith, She completed volunteer work and a practicum at Duke Hospital through a continuing education program at Meredith College. While at Duke Hospital, she discovered that she had an ability to build a quick rapport with families and children. She also found a passion for helping families and children cope with their hospital experience while also increasing developmental growth, especial in social/emotional behavior.
Jamie has spent the last eight years working with both typical and atypical children in a childcare setting and with developmental therapy in a school and home setting. Experiences include: Developmental Delays, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communicative Disorders, and Behavioral Therapy.

Kate Melillo~M.Ed., SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Kate is starting her first full school year with us at Aspen. She is originally from New York and currently lives in Apex with her husband, young son, and two dogs. She is a graduate from North Carolina Central University, receiving her Masters Degree in Communications Disorders. She was part of a special interdisciplinary training grant to prepare SLPs in treating children with developmental disabilities. Her experience includes: working in preschool and elementary schools in Durham and Wake County Public Schools, a preschool specializing in assistive technology for infants and preschoolers, Murdoch Center with adults with intellectual disabilities, a pediatric private practice, as well as working in a group setting for adults with neurogenic disorders. Kate has experience working with children with autism and related developmental disabilities, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, articulation and phonological delays, expressive and receptive language disorders, and apraxia. Prior to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, Kate was a preschool teacher in inclusive classrooms in the U.S., China and Bahrain. She also studied autism for several years in a research setting with a focus on transitions. Kate has an interest in social skills development and loves teaching children through play.

Linda Scott, OTR/L

Contract Occupational Therapist

Linda received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Therapy in 1998 from the State University of New York College at Buffalo as well as her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2001 from Keuka College.  She has worked in various settings that include pediatric inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, hospital, home health, developmental preschools, evaluation centers and in the public school systems with a primary focus on early intervention. She has worked with a variety of diagnoses including fine motor impairments, neurological & visual impairments, genetic disorders, developmental delays, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Linda has worked with children of all ages with a primary focus on 3 months to 5 years of age. She has worked with an interdisciplinary team approach throughout her career acquiring years of experience and expertise from other occupational and physical therapists, educators, child psychologists and pediatricians to better serve each child and family as a whole.

Linda has experience in working with families in developing home programs striving for success in each environment that is important for that child and family. She enjoys working with all children with special needs, but has a special interest in working with children with developmental delays, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing difficulties, and handwriting difficulties. Linda is passionate about working with children with special needs, and she enjoys collaborating with families to help each child reach his or her own full potential. Linda also enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children.

Yonit Schoolman – Paraprofessional
Yonit is originally from Israel. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in French and a Paralegal certification, but quickly realized she wanted to work with kids. She worked as a paraprofessional in a preschool classroom in Wake County for nine years. During that time Yonit received her Early Childhood Education Credential from Wake Technical Community college. She has experience working with kids with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, and various developmental delays. She lives in Raleigh with her husband and two sons, both of whom are on the autism spectrum.