We Improve Communication - One Voice at a Time
Speech and Language Pathologists
Teri Dooley- Smith
M.S.,CCC-SLP
Teresa is a Speech Language Pathologist, clinical supervisor, and consultant with an array of clinical experiences which include: Early Intervention, School Based services at all age levels, Adult Dayhab, Adult Rehab, AAC and Life Skills.
Teri is PROMPT certified, Massachusetts State licensed, and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). Teri is also certified as a Mindfulness Practitioner.
She founded TDS Speech in 1999 with a vision of creating a compassionate
community where families felt valued and heard and where therapists and clients
developed interpersonal relationships that encourage risk taking and a shared vision of success.
An "Out of the Box" thinker, Teri specializes in creating social skills programs that meet kids where they are and that encourage
possibility!
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Outside of work, Teri enjoys spending time with her family, dancing in her kitchen (anywhere really), photography, reading and cooking.
Teri received a BS from Bowling Green State University and a graduate degree from the University of New Hampshire.
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Executive Director
Tara Miller
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Tara joined the TDS team in 2010 and now serves as a treating Speech/Language Pathologist and Clinical Supervisor. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is licensed by the state of Massachusetts and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She is trained in Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and has completed the Meaningful Speech Course on Gestalt Language Processing.
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Tara has worked throughout the Pioneer Valley in several local school districts performing evaluations and providing speech/language therapy. She is skilled at providing therapy for various speech and language disorders, including articulation/phonology, receptive and expressive language, social/pragmatic language, fluency, and childhood apraxia of speech. In addition to providing direct therapy, Tara also enjoys mentoring students, new SLPs and SLP assistants.
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Outside of work, Tara enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog, preferably outside and near a campfire.
Clinical Supervisor
Makenzie Mulcahy
M.S., CCC-SLP
Makenzie joined the TDS Team in the Fall of 2016. She received a Bachelor’s of Clinical Psychology with a focus in Health Care from Emmanuel College and went on to receive her Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She is licensed by the state of Massachusetts and is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Makenzie has had the pleasure of working with a variety of clients of all abilities across the lifespan. Her clinical experiences include: Early Intervention (EI), Pre-School, Medically Fragile Pediatrics, School Based learning, Accessibility, Adult Day-Hab, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Vocational Skills, and Life Skills. She has a passion for Motor Speech, Assistive Technology, and therapeutic collaboration.
Outside of work, Makenzie loves to spend time with her family and friends, cook, garden, and travel.
Technology Coordinator
Suzanne Warren
M.A.,CCC-SLP
Assessment Coordinator
Suzanne is a MA licensed and ASHA certified speech/language pathologist who joined TDS in 2006. She has had more than 30 years of professional experience working with both children and adults in a variety of settings, including hospital inpatient/outpatient, acute and long-term rehabilitation, homecare, Head Start, and public schools (preschool to grade 12). Suzanne also spent four years as a clinical supervisor in the graduate speech/language program at UMass/Amherst. Additional career experiences include working as a technical writer and a professional musician.
Suzanne received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and her
Master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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Suzanne has special interests in performing diagnostic evaluations and treating articulation and language processing disorders. She is also committed to helping secondary students develop essential communication skills to prepare them for employment. Above all, she enjoys the variety of her work and the challenge of finding the right therapy approach for each individual.
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Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys cooking & baking, photography, reading, and discovering new music in every genre.
Lisa Hannahan
M.S., CCC-SLP
Lisa began working for TDS in September of 2022. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her Master’s from Emerson College. She has worked in 5 different states and has experience with both adults and children. She has specialty training in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of Orofacial Myological Disorders including mouth breathing, oral habits, airway issues, tongue tie (ankyloglossia), feeding issues, oral prep stage of the swallow, and tongue thrust. Lisa is Massachusetts state licensed; is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA); and licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
She considers herself a problem solver and really enjoys working with clients and families. She has had experience with autism, social communication, articulation disorders, motor speech disorders, language disorders, stuttering, voice and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
While not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her grandson in Africa.
Clinical Supervisor
Deanna Serra
M.A., CCC-SLP
Deanna became a part of the TDS team in 2022, providing speech and language services in the Pioneer Valley. While working mostly in public schools, she also provides services to private clients at the TDS office.
Deanna’s interest in Speech and Language Pathology began while working at an elementary school providing classroom support for children on the autism spectrum. During this time, she was introduced to AAC and witnessed how providing individuals with a voice significantly benefited their lives. Her interest in social communication and AAC motivated her to pursue a career as a speech and language therapist.
While completing her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Deanna provided therapy and evaluated a variety of clients in the educational and medical fields. Her clinical experiences include receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation, autism spectrum disorder, social communication, HH/Deaf community, AAC, assistive technology, cognition, transgender affirming voice, rehabilitation, aphasia, dysphagia, and teletherapy.
Outside of work, Deanna enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling across the country with her husband, son, and dog Kali.
Melanie Bitely,
MCD CCC-SLP
Melanie is new to TDS for the 2024-25 school year and is excited to engage with the community after moving to western Massachusetts all the way from Florida.
She has worked as a pediatric SLP in private practice and school settings, serving children with a wide variety of needs. She enjoys working with autistic children who are learning how to communicate in their own authentic way, as well as with children who have speech
sound delays and early language delays.
She believes in the power of building a
trusting relationship in therapy and works hard to foster that with her clients.
Melanie is a licensed SLP with a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and a Master of Communication Disorders from Auburn University. She became ASHA certified in 2020. Melanie is always looking for ways to grow and improve, so she recently completed The Meaningful Speech Course to better help any Gestalt Language Processers she meets in therapy.
Outside of work, Melanie likes singing in the car, roller skating, and playing with her cats.
Lisa Ramanauskas
M.A., CF-SLP
Lisa's journey at TDS began in 2021 as an undergraduate intern where she helped young children and adolescents in social groups, speech camp, and individualized treatment. TDS fostered an inclusive and nurturing environment devoted to providing optimal care, support, and encouragement, which furthered her passion for speech-language pathology and led her to return for her fellowship year!
Lisa received a Bachelor's of Science in Communication Disorders with a minor in linguistics from UMass Amherst and continued there to receive her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology. During her graduate school experience, Lisa had the pleasure of working with a diverse clientele across the lifespan in various settings. Her clinical experience includes: pediatric feeding and swallowing, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), adult day-hab cognitive-linguistic services, motor speech disorders, LSVT LOUD treatment for Parksinson's, fluency, articulation, school-based learning, social language/pragmatics, gender-affirming voice and interprofessional collaboration. Lisa also obtained her LSVT LOUD certification and MoCA certification.
Outside of TDS, Lisa is a personal trainer at F45 with a love for fitness. She also enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, cooking, traveling, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Abigail Knopp
M.A. CF-SLP
Abigail joined TDS in 2024 as a Speech-Language Pathologist Clinical Fellow. She completed her Master’s in speech-language pathology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She also holds a Master’s in science writing from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in creative writing from Columbia College Chicago. Her clinical experiences include long- and short-term rehab, memory care, home-based early intervention, telehealth, and school-based services. Abigail is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences, and is trained in Supportive Conversation for Adults with Aphasia.
Abigail is most interested in supporting language and communication throughout the lifespan, especially for those affected by neurological conditions. Her approach to treatment considers the whole person and their goals, within their environment and community. She uses evidence-based approaches that complement client strengths, needs, and interests. Abigail has delivered therapy in classrooms, kitchens, gardens, gyms, and playrooms because she knows that communication happens in the context of life!
In her own life, Abi enjoys reading, baking pastries, mending, cycling, and eating good cheese with family and friends.
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistants
Paige Eddy,
B.S., SLPA
Paige has been working for TDS since 2019 when she started as a peer mentor for the social groups, she took time off to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Paige now works as Massachusetts certified Speech Language Pathology Assistant. She has worked in the field of special education for years though in the last few has begun working on speech, language and social practices with a wide range of clients. Paige has worked in both schools focusing on early elementary up through middle school with students' needs ranging from school to school. She has also taken in private clients and helps with social groups in the office.
She finds most joy working with her students on social and language goals, providing them with support that best suits their needs. She is currently working on a certification for a Gestalt Language Processing to better engage with her students who don't use traditional analytical language. She enjoys child-led play based therapy allowing the child to feel comfortable and seen in new spaces.
Outside of work she finds spare time to work at her local toy store to learn about new games and activities for her therapy. She enjoys relaxing with her two cats in her downtime or enjoying time spent outside with her friends. Paige loves to play games and make up activities from scratch and loves a good project. She is beyond excited to learn more in this field and keep helping others become confident in their communication.
Erica Paille is a licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant who joined TDS in February 2024, bringing with her a range of experience in the field. Her work has primarily focused on supporting children in various stages of development, including early intervention, Pre-K through third grade, and middle school.
Additionally, Erica has had the privilege of working in a residential program tailored for individuals with Autism, where she gained experience in using and programming Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, implementing social skills curricula, and applying behavior management protocols.
Her passion for helping children find their voice and achieve their communication goals drives her commitment to the field of speech pathology.
Erica is excited to begin her graduate studies at UMass Amherst, where she plans to expand her knowledge and expertise in speech pathology and bring this expertise to her work at TDS.
When she’s not working, Erica enjoys outdoor walks, reading a good book, or trying a new recipe.
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Leah Anderkin,
B.S., SLPA
Leah is a licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant in Massachusetts and joined TDS in 2024. She graduated in 2023 from Worcester State University with a bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
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Leah has worked primarily with children in the public school system aged preschool through sixth grade. She has experience working with AAC devices, speech and language delays, and children with autism. She enjoys working with nonverbal children to help introduce other methods of communication such as AAC devices, eye gaze devices, and some basic sign language.
Outside of work, Leah’s interests include reading, being with friends and family, spending time with her dog, and traveling.