Meet Jennifer, a Speech-Language Pathologist with the McKibben & Monte team in Cleveland. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences from Ohio University and her Master of Arts in Speech Pathology from Kent State University. She holds specialized training in PROMPT (Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), making her especially equipped to support a wide range of communication needs.

For Jennifer, the most rewarding part of being a therapist is helping individuals of all ages—whether pediatric, adolescent, adult, or geriatric—find their voice and effectively communicate their wants and needs. She fondly recalls the joy of one of her early patients independently signing “more” to his mom, a powerful reminder of the impact of her work.

Her inspiration to pursue speech pathology began in high school. As captain of her varsity volleyball team, Jennifer developed vocal nodules from projecting over cheering crowds and enrolled in voice therapy. During her treatment, her physician, Douglas Hicks, shared the anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism with her—sparking a fascination that grew into her career path.

When first working with a child, Jennifer’s primary approach is to build rapport. Whether through finding a shared interest, introducing a motivating object, or simply being silly, she believes that trust and connection are the foundation for therapeutic success.

Outside of her work, Jennifer loves traveling with her husband and watching their two children compete in various sports. She also enjoys long walks with her energetic and loving Doberman, Scout. With her expertise, creativity, and compassionate approach, Jennifer helps children and families achieve meaningful progress while making therapy a positive and memorable experience.