Meet Our Team
At Spark Pediatric Therapy, our clinicians bring together expertise, empathy, and a deep commitment to child-led, relationship-based care. We believe in building strong connections with every child and family—and supporting progress that feels meaningful, joyful, and individualized.
Our team holds advanced training in a wide range of evidence-based approaches, including PROMPT, DIRFloortime®, Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), pediatric feeding therapy through Feed the Peds®, AAC, and TOTS®: Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training. We combine clinical skill with compassion to help kids thrive in ways that align with who they are.
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CEO & Lead Speech-Language Pathologist
Kristen Fernandez, MCD, CCC-SLP
Kristen is a licensed speech-language pathologist and the founder of Spark Pediatric Therapy. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from LSU Health New Orleans. She is a three-time recipient of ASHA’s Award for Continuing Education and holds advanced training in speech, feeding, myofunctional, and play-based therapies. Kristen leads Spark with empathy, clinical excellence, and a neurodiversity-affirming approach rooted in strong relationships and personalized care. When she’s not working, you’ll find her exploring New Orleans with her husband, three kids, and their massive dog.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Maggie White, MCD, CCC-SLP
Maggie is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over 8 years of experience supporting children of all ages across New Orleans. Born and raised in NOLA, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and her Master’s in Communication Disorders from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She specializes in speech, language, fluency, and AAC, using a relationship-first approach that blends play-based strategies with real-world impact. Maggie brings energy, empathy, and clinical expertise to every session—and is passionate about helping kids find their voice and thrive. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and their four beloved pets—two dogs and two cats.