Meet Kelly Lonergan, speech-language pathologist
I am a speech-language pathologist (SLP) with nearly 15 years of experience helping infants, children and adults with feeding, swallowing and speech issues in the hospital, clinic and home setting. I decided to open a private practice so I could focus exclusively on my passion, which is helping families with babies and young children (with and without complex medical needs) get the help they need to overcome feeding challenges.
One of our most primal instincts as mothers from the moment our babies are born is to make sure they are fed, whether it be nursing, drinking from a bottle or getting them to eat their fruits and vegetables. Most of us enter parenthood assuming that our children will know how to eat and drink, but this is not always the case. I will work with you to establish goals and create a therapy plan that meets you where you’re at and teaches you and your child the skills you need to get you to where you want to go.
I have been through feeding challenges with my own three children and understand how frustrating and stressful it can be when you cannot find the right person to provide the help you know your child needs. Whether you believe your concerns are not being heard by your physician and family or you have tried everything you can think of with no positive outcomes, I will listen and try my best to help make mealtimes easier for you and your child.
My Approach
I am one of a few Madison-area speech-language pathologist certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT). This is a hands-on method of assessing and helping patients with movement and muscle control challenges move more effectively and support themselves. This increases their success with completing daily tasks.
This training program had a significant impact on how I approach feeding therapy. It taught me the importance of the way different issues in various parts of the body can impact a child’s ability to eat and drink. My understanding of movement and muscle control challenges has helped me identify best ways to help my patients progress.
I am also trained in the methods noted below and may use any combination of these and other techniques to address your child’s specific needs.