OUR TEAM
Speech-Language Pathology
Dr. LaKeya Smith received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences, her Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Pittsburgh, and her Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. LaKeya has over twenty years of experience in the field of speech and language pathology and has worked in private practice, hospitals, outpatient and school-based settings. Her areas of interest include the diagnosis and treatment of childhood apraxia of speech, orofacial myofunctional therapy, parent training, early intervention therapy, children with feeding and swallowing disorders, as well as working with young children with an autism spectrum disorder. She has been trained in Sara Rosenfield-Johnson’s Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets -PROMPT, Sensory-Motor Feeding Therapy, Complex Feeding Issues, the CAN-EAT Feeding Approach, Social Thinking, the Orton-Gillingham method for reading instruction, and sensory integration strategies. She is also trained and certified as a speech-language pathologist in Hanen's "It Takes Two to Talk Parent Training Program."
"I’ve always had a passion for working with children. I admire their resilience, passion, flexibility, and ability to learn. I have found that working with children always puts a smile on my face and brightens my mood for the day."
​
*Licensed in both NJ and NY
*Certified Speech-Language Specialist NJ Department of Education
*New Jersey Early Intervention Provider
*International Society on Early Intervention Member
*Apraxia Kids Professional Directory (Apraxia-Kids.org)
*Hanen's It Takes Two To Talk Parent Training (Certified)
*PROMPT (Trained)
*The Once Upon A Time Foundation's Professional Directory (ChildApraxiaTreatment.org)
*Orofacial Myologist (IAOM Certification Track)
*Simon Says Orofacial Myology Assessment and Treatment Certification
*SOS Approach to Feeding (Trained)
*American Speech and Hearing Association Certified Speech-Language Pathologist
*New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA) Member
Theodorine Datilus attended Kean University in NJ for her undergrad and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in American Sign Language. She then completed an interpreting program at Passaic County Community College and received an associate's degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. She later returned to Kean University, where she received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Theodorine has experience working with children and adults with a variety of speech and communication needs, including receptive/expressive language, articulation, phonological disorders, cognition, oral motor, feeding, and pragmatics. She also has experience in early intervention, supporting and educating parents on early childhood development. In addition, Theodorine has experience working with children with hearing loss. Her passion is working with the deaf and hard-of-hearing population, in which she incorporates sign language in her therapy sessions as well as target hearing therapy and oral speech with the deaf and hard-of-hearing population.
Occupational Therapy
Dr. Lauren Gramatica graduated from New York University’s Two-Tiered MS/Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in 2020. She’s had the privilege to present at AOTA’s National Conference in 2021 on her doctoral research regarding School Mental Health Promotion and Prevention. In addition, she has been professionally working with the pediatric population within the school system in northern NJ. She is excited to join the Use Your Words team to provide occupational therapy services.
Nadine Distefano holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dominican College and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, earned in 2001. After a successful career in the marketing industry, Nadine pursued her true passion—helping others—by transitioning into the field of occupational therapy.
She is a licensed occupational therapist in both New Jersey and New York and is school-certified in New Jersey. Nadine has experience working with preschool and middle school-aged children with a wide range of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), developmental delays, sensory processing disorders, communication and learning impairments, Cerebral Palsy, fine and visual motor challenges, and behavioral difficulties.
Nadine is deeply committed to supporting the pediatric population, striving to help each child reach their full potential, achieve their goals, and develop greater independence in daily life.
