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Specialists
Carol Briggs M.A. CCC-SLP,
Founder, President
Founder and administrator of Abilities, Carol has dedicated over 37 years to serving the needs of families in Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities. Carol’s commitment to excellence and her dedication to her staff as well as the families they treat continue to provide the foundation for Abilities' success.
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Founder, President
Founder and administrator of Abilities, Carol has dedicated over 37 years to serving the needs of families in Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities. Carol’s commitment to excellence and her dedication to her staff as well as the families they treat continue to provide the foundation for Abilities' success.
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Amy Arledge M.A. CCC-SLP,
Therapy Manager
With over 25 years of dedication to helping children succeed, Amy Arledge leads our team with a contagious passion for helping every family that walks through our doors. In addition to making sure the clinic runs smoothly, Amy serves as a mentor to our speech therapy clinical fellows and provides direct therapy to our Abilities children as her schedule allows.
Therapy Manager
With over 25 years of dedication to helping children succeed, Amy Arledge leads our team with a contagious passion for helping every family that walks through our doors. In addition to making sure the clinic runs smoothly, Amy serves as a mentor to our speech therapy clinical fellows and provides direct therapy to our Abilities children as her schedule allows.
Margaret Reed M.A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
With over 25 years of clinical experience, Margaret enjoys working with all children and has a special interest in assisting children with feeding difficulties. She is the leader of the Abilities Feeding Team and also mentors graduate students, newly graduated therapists, and newly hired therapists as the Abilities Speech Therapist Mentor
Speech Language Pathologist
With over 25 years of clinical experience, Margaret enjoys working with all children and has a special interest in assisting children with feeding difficulties. She is the leader of the Abilities Feeding Team and also mentors graduate students, newly graduated therapists, and newly hired therapists as the Abilities Speech Therapist Mentor
Kaitlyn Byrnside M.A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Kaitlyn believes that parent involvement and early intervention are critical to a child’s success in pediatric therapy. She has a passion for helping children overcome all language challenges and has special interests in how hearing and auditory processing impacts language development as well as childhood apraxia of speech. Kaitlyn loves working with children and their families to help them achieve their goals.
Speech Language Pathologist
Kaitlyn believes that parent involvement and early intervention are critical to a child’s success in pediatric therapy. She has a passion for helping children overcome all language challenges and has special interests in how hearing and auditory processing impacts language development as well as childhood apraxia of speech. Kaitlyn loves working with children and their families to help them achieve their goals.
Lauren Collier M.A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Lauren has a true passion for early intervention and helping children develop literacy and articulation skills. She believes that communication is the key to successful interaction. Lauren strives to work collaboratively with children and their families to help each child she works with reach their maximal potential.
Speech Language Pathologist
Lauren has a true passion for early intervention and helping children develop literacy and articulation skills. She believes that communication is the key to successful interaction. Lauren strives to work collaboratively with children and their families to help each child she works with reach their maximal potential.
Katie Guitierrez M.A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Katie has a passion for early intervention and believes that working in a multidisciplinary setting and providing functional, play-based intervention can drastically improve client motivation, progress, and self-confidence. She utilizes a whole child approach to promote skill mastery and carryover of skills learned in therapy
Speech Language Pathologist
Katie has a passion for early intervention and believes that working in a multidisciplinary setting and providing functional, play-based intervention can drastically improve client motivation, progress, and self-confidence. She utilizes a whole child approach to promote skill mastery and carryover of skills learned in therapy
Kendall Harper M. A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Kendall has a strong passion for working with children of all ages who have articulation disorders, language disorders, and/or learning disabilities. She believes it is important to implement the whole-child approach by incorporating parents and caregivers within her treatment. She also enjoys utilizing strategic yet fun activities to target the client's goals for success.
Speech Language Pathologist
Kendall has a strong passion for working with children of all ages who have articulation disorders, language disorders, and/or learning disabilities. She believes it is important to implement the whole-child approach by incorporating parents and caregivers within her treatment. She also enjoys utilizing strategic yet fun activities to target the client's goals for success.
Laken Hunsicker M.A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Laken empowers children to develop new skills through the use of client and family-centered approaches. She carefully plans motivating and meaningful functional activities to ensure children are actively engaged throughout the therapy processes- leading them to achieve their goals.
Speech Language Pathologist
Laken empowers children to develop new skills through the use of client and family-centered approaches. She carefully plans motivating and meaningful functional activities to ensure children are actively engaged throughout the therapy processes- leading them to achieve their goals.
Emily Kimball M. A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Emily believes we were created to have relationships and communicate with others. She understands the opportunity children have to mature in these skills. The techniques and knowledge she’s gained as a certified PK-3 teacher and speech therapist help steer her sessions. She is passionate about early intervention, parent education and motor activities to stimulate children’s whole body and encourage verbal expression.
Speech Language Pathologist
Emily believes we were created to have relationships and communicate with others. She understands the opportunity children have to mature in these skills. The techniques and knowledge she’s gained as a certified PK-3 teacher and speech therapist help steer her sessions. She is passionate about early intervention, parent education and motor activities to stimulate children’s whole body and encourage verbal expression.
Courtney Marks M.A. CF-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Courtney has a passion for early intervention and helping children succeed. She believes that communication and parent involvement are the keys to a successful outcome. Courtney strives to collaborate with other professionals in order to treat the whole child.
Speech Language Pathologist
Courtney has a passion for early intervention and helping children succeed. She believes that communication and parent involvement are the keys to a successful outcome. Courtney strives to collaborate with other professionals in order to treat the whole child.
Renee McGuinness M. A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Renee has 16 years of experience practicing Speech-Language Pathology addressing the following disorders: language disorders, articulation disorders, reading disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and apraxia of speech. She loves working with children and is dedicated to working with families to help a child reach his/her full potential.
Speech Language Pathologist
Renee has 16 years of experience practicing Speech-Language Pathology addressing the following disorders: language disorders, articulation disorders, reading disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and apraxia of speech. She loves working with children and is dedicated to working with families to help a child reach his/her full potential.
Lindsay Perque M. A. CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Lindsay has over 15 years of experience working with pediatric clients with various language disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, apraxia of speech, oral motor disorders, articulation disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs. She believes in the importance of a team approach that includes therapists, families, caretakers, and educators in the therapeutic process.
Speech Language Pathologist
Lindsay has over 15 years of experience working with pediatric clients with various language disorders, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, apraxia of speech, oral motor disorders, articulation disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs. She believes in the importance of a team approach that includes therapists, families, caretakers, and educators in the therapeutic process.
Mary Kate Smith M. A CCC-SLP,
Speech Language Pathologist
Mary Kate believes in the importance of using fun and functional activities to expand a child's ability to learn and apply skills taught in therapy. She is passionate about the importance of early intervention for language development and believes the key to therapeutic progress is parent involvement and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Speech Language Pathologist
Mary Kate believes in the importance of using fun and functional activities to expand a child's ability to learn and apply skills taught in therapy. She is passionate about the importance of early intervention for language development and believes the key to therapeutic progress is parent involvement and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
Amy Fuselier LOTR,
OT Mentor, Occupational Therapist
Amy piloted our occupational therapy program over 20 years ago. Her keen eye for seeing a child’s strengths paved the way for the client-centered and strength-based approach for which the Abilities occupational therapy department is known. In addition to providing direct occupational therapy services, Amy mentors graduate students, newly graduated therapists, and newly hired therapists as the Abilities OT Mentor
OT Mentor, Occupational Therapist
Amy piloted our occupational therapy program over 20 years ago. Her keen eye for seeing a child’s strengths paved the way for the client-centered and strength-based approach for which the Abilities occupational therapy department is known. In addition to providing direct occupational therapy services, Amy mentors graduate students, newly graduated therapists, and newly hired therapists as the Abilities OT Mentor
Bridget Champagne, MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Bridget enjoys collaborating across disciplines to ensure comprehensive treatment is provided to each of her clients. Bridget believes it is important to emphasize fun yet functional activities in play-based therapy to help motivate each child to increase their independence and meet their goals. Bridget feels that through her work she can truly make a difference in a child's life.
Occupational Therapist
Bridget enjoys collaborating across disciplines to ensure comprehensive treatment is provided to each of her clients. Bridget believes it is important to emphasize fun yet functional activities in play-based therapy to help motivate each child to increase their independence and meet their goals. Bridget feels that through her work she can truly make a difference in a child's life.
Alana Chmurka MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Alana has over 10 years of experience in pediatric therapy. She has a special interest in how a child's sensory processing and motor coordination skills impact their behavioral and emotional regulation. Alana employs a multi-cultural approach to therapy ensuring holistic and client-centered interventions are provided to each child she serves.
Occupational Therapist
Alana has over 10 years of experience in pediatric therapy. She has a special interest in how a child's sensory processing and motor coordination skills impact their behavioral and emotional regulation. Alana employs a multi-cultural approach to therapy ensuring holistic and client-centered interventions are provided to each child she serves.
Taylor Ann Marrazzo MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Taylor Ann is honored to serve families by striving to provide individualized and child guided therapy to allow for the greatest independence and participation in daily activities possible. She enjoys collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, including parents, in order to help a child enhance meaningful skills and occupations and reach his or her full potential
Occupational Therapist
Taylor Ann is honored to serve families by striving to provide individualized and child guided therapy to allow for the greatest independence and participation in daily activities possible. She enjoys collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, including parents, in order to help a child enhance meaningful skills and occupations and reach his or her full potential
Kaila Martin MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Kaila is fulfilling her lifelong dream of making the difference in the lives of others. Kaila has a passion for collaborating across disciplines with other therapists to ensure the most comprehensive treatment is provided to each of her clients. Kaila was also integral in helping the administrative team establish our second location in Satsuma, Livingston.
Occupational Therapist
Kaila is fulfilling her lifelong dream of making the difference in the lives of others. Kaila has a passion for collaborating across disciplines with other therapists to ensure the most comprehensive treatment is provided to each of her clients. Kaila was also integral in helping the administrative team establish our second location in Satsuma, Livingston.
Hannah Mathew MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Hannah has a passion for school-based therapy and enjoys collaborating with teachers to help children reach their fullest potential in the classroom. Hannah enjoys facilitating
trans-disciplinary groups and FRIEND model groups to provide children with a fun and functional environment to develop and improve their social interaction, emotional regulation and attention.
Occupational Therapist
Hannah has a passion for school-based therapy and enjoys collaborating with teachers to help children reach their fullest potential in the classroom. Hannah enjoys facilitating
trans-disciplinary groups and FRIEND model groups to provide children with a fun and functional environment to develop and improve their social interaction, emotional regulation and attention.
Rachel Misita MOT/LOTR,
Occupational Therapist
Rachel has been providing direct therapy to children and caregiver training to their families for over seven years. She is especially interested in how processing of visual stimuli and motor coordination impact a child's daily activities. Rachel enjoys facilitating children's abilities to accomplish their goals and witnessing their self confidence flourish.
Occupational Therapist
Rachel has been providing direct therapy to children and caregiver training to their families for over seven years. She is especially interested in how processing of visual stimuli and motor coordination impact a child's daily activities. Rachel enjoys facilitating children's abilities to accomplish their goals and witnessing their self confidence flourish.
Shelly Aucoin,
Intake Specialist
Shelly helps parents navigate the process of setting up an initial evaluation with Abilities. She is the first voice our Abilities parents will hear when they begin their journey with us. Shelly is in contact with your local pediatricians and health care providers to ensure necessary medical documents are collected and filed prior to your child’s initial evaluation. Through information gathering, Shelly makes families' transition to Abilities seamless.
Intake Specialist
Shelly helps parents navigate the process of setting up an initial evaluation with Abilities. She is the first voice our Abilities parents will hear when they begin their journey with us. Shelly is in contact with your local pediatricians and health care providers to ensure necessary medical documents are collected and filed prior to your child’s initial evaluation. Through information gathering, Shelly makes families' transition to Abilities seamless.
Aubrey Efferson,
Patient Services Coordinator
Aubrey is often the first smiling face you will encounter when you walk through our lobby doors. Aubrey will ensure you are checked in and ready for therapy, receive pertinent therapy reports and updates, and that all personal information needed for seamless service delivery is up to date and accessible to our team.
Patient Services Coordinator
Aubrey is often the first smiling face you will encounter when you walk through our lobby doors. Aubrey will ensure you are checked in and ready for therapy, receive pertinent therapy reports and updates, and that all personal information needed for seamless service delivery is up to date and accessible to our team.
Serina LeBlanc,
Billing and Insurance Coordinator
Serina has 17 years of experience in the medical field with 13 of these years as a Medical Billing & Coding specialist. She assists our families with all of their billing and insurance needs. Serina is in charge of billing, coding, insurance collections and when necessary additional visits. Her efforts ensure continuity of care and seamless service delivery.
Billing and Insurance Coordinator
Serina has 17 years of experience in the medical field with 13 of these years as a Medical Billing & Coding specialist. She assists our families with all of their billing and insurance needs. Serina is in charge of billing, coding, insurance collections and when necessary additional visits. Her efforts ensure continuity of care and seamless service delivery.
Wanda Templet,
Billing and Insurance Coordinator
With 11 years experience in medical billing, Wanda assists our families with all of their billing and insurance needs. She is in charge of contacting your insurance providers to determine applicable benefits, file claims, and when necessary, request additional visits. Wanda’s efforts ensure continuity of care and seamless service delivery.
Billing and Insurance Coordinator
With 11 years experience in medical billing, Wanda assists our families with all of their billing and insurance needs. She is in charge of contacting your insurance providers to determine applicable benefits, file claims, and when necessary, request additional visits. Wanda’s efforts ensure continuity of care and seamless service delivery.
Kayla Valenti,
Patient Scheduler
With 7 years of experience in the medical field, Kayla assists our Abilities parents in scheduling their child's weekly therapy appointments. Her efforts ensure continuity of care and in turn optimum therapeutic progress.
Patient Scheduler
With 7 years of experience in the medical field, Kayla assists our Abilities parents in scheduling their child's weekly therapy appointments. Her efforts ensure continuity of care and in turn optimum therapeutic progress.
Therapy Techs
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