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Mr. Cook is the Chief Financial Officer for Cook Speech and Language, Inc. His background includes experience with the computer industry, where he worked in sales and marketing for such companies as Apple Computer and EPSON America. In 2004, he left the technology sector and started Mix It Up! which sells and rents frozen beverage machines. In addition to his duties with Mix It Up! he has played an integral role in the launching of Cook Speech and Language, Inc. with his wife, Holly Cook. They have formed the perfect partnership with each being responsible for a particular aspect of the business. Mrs. Cook oversees all clinical matters as well as supervising our speech and language pathologists. Mr. Cook meanwhile handles all of the accounting, marketing, and day-to-day operations. When not working he enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, DIY projects, and spending time with his family and dog Bodie.
Kathleen received her undergraduate degree in speech pathology at California State University, Hayward, and her graduate degree from the California State University, Humboldt. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of speech pathology, and has worked in a variety of setting including hospital pediatrics, habilitation, school based therapy, and as a classroom teacher for children with communication delays. Mrs. Quijas holds a State License in Speech Pathology. She has been trained in SCERTS, PECS, sensory motor integration techniques, and is a Specialist in Autism Studies through UC Davis. Her areas of interest include language and behavior, preschool intervention, and geriatrics. When not working, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her husband and their adult daughters.
Kim received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Speech and Language Pathology from California State University, Chico. Though she is newer to the field, she has experience working in the school setting, especially within special education preschools. Kim's professional interests include early intervention, autism spectrum disorders, child speech and language delays, and using ASL (American Sign Language) in language acquisition. She is currently working towards completing her clinical fellowship year in order to obtain the Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association; her clinical fellowship year will be completed in June 2011. When not working, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and just relaxing.
Amber received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from California State University, Sacramento. During her graduate program at CSUS, she worked at a private school for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. Amber has experience working in the school setting as a Speech and Language Pathologist. She is currently working towards completing her clinical fellowship year in order to obtain the Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association; her clinical fellowship year will be completed in August 2012. Amber loves working with children and her professional interests include autism, early intervention, and language delays. When not working, Amber enjoys exercising, sports, and outdoor activities. She loves to hang out with her husband, two dogs, and family.
Melissa received her undergraduate degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology at Brigham Young University and her graduate degree in Communications Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge. Melissa is currently working on her Clinical Fellowship year in order to obtain her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the America Speech and Hearing Association. Melissa has four years of both full and part time experience as a speech pathologist, mostly in school settings. She has enjoyed working with children ages preschool through 8th grade with a variety of communication disorders. Her interests include early intervention, apraxia of speech, child speech and language delays, and the use of American Sign Language in language acquisition. In addition to Speech Pathology, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and three young children, training for half marathons, traveling, and playing the flute.
Jeanie received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Central Florida. During her graduate program at UCF, she participated in the consortium program which enabled her to work in the public schools while attending classes at night. Jeanie has been a school based therapist for the past five years. Professional interests include all areas of working with the severe handicapped population. Other areas of interest are articulation disorders, language delays and autism spectrum disorders. Jeanie holds the Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as a California State License for Speech Pathology. When not working, Jeanie enjoys relaxing with her cat and dog as well as training for marathons. She is a very proud aunt and always looks forward to traveling back east to see her nieces and nephews.
I obtained my B.S. and Master's degrees in Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology from California State University Sacramento.
In 2001, I had the privilege of becoming the first
licensed undergraduate Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLP-A)
in the state of California. My background includes 9 years work experience
providing speech and language therapy services in school-based settings
as a SLP-A, and most recently, 2 years as a licensed Speech-Language
Pathologist (SLP), also working in a school setting. I have a substantial
working knowledge of IEP processes including mandated time-lines, compliancy
regulations, and qualifying guidelines for speech-language therapy services,
the honed ability to step into a speech-language therapy environment
with a proficient skill-set readiness of therapy tools, a maturity to
look at challenges as an opportunity, and a high-level of professionalism
gained through a substantial working career.
Lisa Wood graduated from California State University, Sacramento in May of 2009 and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant that has been working with Cook Speech and Language since December of 2009. Her ambition is to go back to school, obtain her doctorate in research and become a part-time Speech-Language Pathologist and university professor. Her major interests in the field pertain to autism spectrum disorder, American Sign Language and its benefits to language acquisition, and early intervention. She is delighted to be working with Cook Speech and Language and hopes to change the lives of the children she works closely with.
Cynthia joined Cook Speech and Language, Inc. in October, 2010. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in May 2010, and plans to pursue her Master’s in Speech Pathology. Her major areas of interest include early intervention, American Sign Language and its impact on hearing and non-hearing children, and the use of PECS and other alternate means of communication with children with Autism. Her interest in speech pathology began through her younger brother who is non-verbal and developmentally delayed. Her experiences with her brother inspired her to pursue speech pathology to help change the lives of other children and their families. When not working, Cynthia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, singing, classical music and playing the piano.
Grace received her Bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz in Language Studies with a concentration in Brazilian Portuguese and a minor in Sociology. She plans to pursue her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Her professional interests include pediatric communicative disorders, particularly pertaining to autism spectrum disorder, articulation and phonological disorders, and American Sign Language. She has been interested in communication, speech, and language throughout her entire life, and is thrilled to help change the lives of children. She eventually hopes to start her own Speech Pathology practice one day. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, traveling, arts and crafts, and sewing. She loves spending time with her family, and adores her dog Babette.
Bodie is a Therapy Dog who works with some of our clients. He is a Beagle who was born in July 2008. He has completed several obedience classes in preparation for his role as a Therapy Dog. He is friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Bodie has served as an excellent motivator for children of all ages to use their communication skills in functional and practical ways. For example, children who are working on using single words to talk can practice giving him commands such as “sit” and “down.” Other children who are working on pragmatic or social skills are encouraged to ask if they can pet him using polite forms such as, “Can I pet Bodie please,” or asking a peer, “Can I have a turn with Bodie?” The children are delighted to receive him as a natural reward for practicing good communication skills. When not working he loves playing tug, going on long walks, chasing cats and frequent naps. His favorite foods are bacon, cheese and dog biscuits.
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Kathleen
Nannery-Quijas,
M.A.
Kim
Pearson,
M.A., CCC-SLP
Bodie