We Are Accepting New Clients for Fall 2024! Reach Out Today.
ABOUT SPARK PEDIATRIC THERAPY
Sparking Confidence & Communication in Every Child
What We Do
We value and prioritize play-based, child-led therapy sessions, fostering an environment where children feel comfortable and empowered to engage in their own learning and development.
Individualized Care
We believe in tailoring therapy sessions to meet the unique needs of each child, ensuring personalized care and support.
Neurodiversity-Affirming
We embrace a neurodiversity-affirming approach, combining evidence-based techniques with respect for diverse communication styles and ways of thinking.
Family Engagement
We prioritize building strong relationships with families and actively involve parents and caregivers in the therapy process, recognizing the importance of their participation and support.
Empowerment & Confidence
Our ultimate goal is to spark confidence and communication in every child, empowering them to reach their maximum potential.
About Your Speech Therapist
Kristen Fernandez, MCD, CCC-SLP
Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist
Kristen Fernandez earned her bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from LSU Health New Orleans. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a two-time recipient of the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE).​
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​Spark Pediatric Therapy was born from Kristen's passion for forming meaningful therapeutic connections rooted in empathy and acceptance. She is committed to understanding each child and family on a deep level, developing personalized therapy plans that align with their unique goals and values. Her neurodiversity-affirming approach blends engaging, play-based activities with evidence-based treatments and parent education. As a mother of three, Kristen is dedicated to ensuring that every child receives the care and opportunities they need to thrive.
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​Kristen has extensive training in advanced therapeutic approaches, including PROMPTs for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), DIRFloortime® (DIR-Basic), Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), and Myofunctional Therapy. She is also a Feed the Peds®-trained clinician, specializing in pediatric feeding challenges.
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Outside of work, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband, son, twin daughters, and their 90-pound dog. She loves reading, traveling, and outdoor adventures.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications
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ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
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Two-Time Recipient of the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE)
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PROMPTs for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets
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DIR/Floortime
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Feed the Peds
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Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) Trained Clinician
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Myofunctional Therapy Training