Specializing in...
Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Services
MEET OUR:
Occupational Therapists
Katie Finnegan, OTR/L
Katie Finnegan joined SST in March 2022. Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Occupational Therapy from THE Ohio State University in 2004. After falling in love with the city of Columbus throughout her college career, Katie decided to settle here and begin her family. Katie, and her husband Nick have 4 children together and reside in Hilliard. When not enjoying her time as a clinician, you can find Katie on a sports field or court cheering on her children. Katie has a passion for outpatient, clinic based therapy where she can truly work with the families 1:1 to help each child meet their needs and goals. She specializes in treating the pediatric population, focusing especially on sensory processing, motor skill development, visual motor integration and handwriting, as well as important life skills.
Katie has several trainings and certifications in a variety of treatment areas. Some of these include Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Handwriting Without Tears, and the Play Project. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
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You may contact Katie at katief@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Co-Department Head
Ciara Baker, COTA
Ciara Baker joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in September 2024. She graduated from North Central State College with an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in 2016. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, licensed by the State of Ohio, and licensed by the Department of Education.
Ciara is currently in her eighth year of working as a COTA/L with the pediatric population. Ciara has worked with individuals ranging from early intervention to early adulthood. She has experience working in a school setting and a pediatric outpatient setting. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages to promote independence in meaningful activities and helping them reach their fullest potential. Ciara’s interests include fine motor development, sensory processing, handwriting, vocational and life skill development, as well as visual motor and visual perceptual skill development.
You may contact Ciara at ciara@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Assistant
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Julie Ballinger, M.S., OTR/L
Julie Ballinger started at Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in August 2017. She graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Natural Resources and again with a Masters of Occupational Therapy. Julie worked for many years an environmental educator and then as a preschool teacher. Julie is a trained SOS therapist and certified by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy. She holds licenses from the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Julie enjoys working with people of all ages but is especially passionate about working with the pediatric population and their families.
You may contact Julie at julie@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Clinic-Based Lead
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Lindsey Brand, OTD, OTR/L
Lindsey Brand OTD, OTR/L joined Specialized Speech Technologies in November 2024. Lindsey attended Duquesne University located in Pittsburgh, PA for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in psychology in 2020 then continued on to obtain her Occupational Therapy Doctorate in 2022. Lindsey is certified by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas and by the Ohio Department of Education.
Lindsey is currently in her first year working with the pediatric population. Prior, Lindsey worked with the geriatric population as a travel occupational therapist in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She is thrilled about switching paths to follow her passion of working with children. Lindsey completed her doctoral capstone project focusing on the occupations of social participation and play with school-age children with disability and chronic illness. She is eager to continue to put her research into action to best serve her students as a school-based OT with SST.
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​​​You may contact Lindsey at lindsey@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Shardae Burks, MOTR/L
Shardae Burks, MOTR/L joined Specialized Speech Technologies in February 2015. She attended The Ohio State University as an undergraduate, where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Allied Health Professions with a specialization in Health Management in 2011. Shardae received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University in 2014. She is certified by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
Shardae appreciates working with clients of all ages. She has experience working in a variety of settings including: adult day center for individuals with developmental disabilities, hand therapy clinic, acute care hospital, pediatric outpatient clinic, after school program for low income at-risk students, and school systems. Shardae enjoys engaging children in therapeutic and meaningful activities to help increase function and age appropriate independence.
You may contact Shardae at shardae@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Nicole Capoccia, MOTR/L
Nicole Capoccia joined Specialized Speech Technologies in August 2013. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Performance. She received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2004 from West Virginia University. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
Nicole is currently in her tenth year of working in school-based practice and has worked with children ranging from preschool to high school age. She also has experience working with children and adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities within the home setting. Her interests include visual motor integration, visual perception, fine motor development, vocational and life skill development, assistive technology, and handwriting. Her passion is in working with the pediatric population and their families, and she strives to make therapy sessions fun and meaningful for the child.
You may contact Nicole at nicolec@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
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Gabriella (Gabby) Couch, OTR/L
Gabriella Couch started at Specialized Speech Technologies in August, 2024. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S in Human Development & Family Sciences and from Walsh University with a Masters of Occupational Therapy. She holds a license from the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Gabby is passionate about working with the pediatric population, and enjoys promoting independence, specifically within the school environment. Gabby’s interests include fine motor, visual motor, bilateral coordination, sensory processing, and handwriting skill development. Gabby strives to provide a client centered, meaningful, safe, and fun learning environment that is inclusive to all.
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You may contact Gabby at gabriella@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Denise McClintock, OTR/L
Denise McClintock joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in December of 2020. She graduated University of Oklahoma in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio. She is also licensed by the Ohio Department of Education.
Denise is currently in her twenty-ninth year of working with the pediatric population and has worked with children ranging from birth to high school age. She has spent the last fifteen years working primarily within a school setting. She enjoys helping children reach their fullest potential in school and has additional training in assistive technology.
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You may contact Denise at denise@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Cheryl Myers, OTR/L
Cheryl Myers joined SST in March 2023. Cheryl graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Ohio Dominican College. She graduated from THE Ohio State University with her Master's in Occupational therapy in 2008. Cheryl is a lifelong resident of central Ohio. She grew up and still resides in Pickerington with her husband Dave. Cheryl has two children. Her oldest daughter Emily is a nursing home administrator and is the mother of Cheryl's two grandchildren, Addie and Lexie. Her younger daughter, Izzy, is a nurse at NCH. Cheryl has worked in a variety of settings with both adults and children, but her love is for school based OT. She thoroughly enjoys helping students achieve their highest potential. Cheryl is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
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You may contact Cheryl at cheryl@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
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Occupational Therapist
Abbey Poppe, M.S., OTR/L
Abbey Poppe joined SST in September of 2022. Abbey graduated with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2014. She is licensed by the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Abbey has multiple years of experience working with the pediatric population having previously worked for a large school district where she helped preschool aged students through high schoolers. She has experience in the evaluation and treatment of fine motor skills, sensory processing disorders, and visual motor skills. Abbey is passionate about collaborating with children and their families to ensure positive functional outcomes for each individual.
You may contact Abbey at abbey@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Kristina Rivera- Connick, COTA
Bio Coming Soon!
You may contact Kristina at kristina@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Jennifer Schaefer, MS, OTR/L
Jennifer Schaefer joined Specialized Speech Technologies in October 2024. She has a background in Early Childhood Development and graduated from THE Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Ecology with a specialty in Family Studies. Before returning to OSU to obtain her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, she taught preschool for 8 years in a private school setting. She received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011 and she is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, licensed by the State of Ohio, and she also holds her Ohio Department of Education Pupil Service License.
Jennifer is currently in her 12th year of working in school-based practice and she has worked with children in the school setting ranging from kindergarten through age 22. She has experience working with children and adolescents with autism, sensory processing disorders, fine motor/visual motor difficulties, and behavioral health concerns. She has extensive training in Youth Mental Health First Aid, suicide prevention, behavioral management, and sensory integration. She is also completing an Autism Clinical Specialist Certification. She is passionate about helping children access the educational curriculum, aiding emotional/self regulation skills, assistive technology, vocational and life skills, advocacy for children and families, and connecting with her colleagues. She loves to find meaningful connections for children so they can learn, grow, and have fun in therapy sessions.
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You can reach Jennifer at jennifer@specializedspeech.com