Our Staff

Meet Our Therapists!

Melissa Savage M.S. CCC-SLP
Owner

Melissa

Melissa is the owner of Building Blocks Speech and Language. She earned her M.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge, after completing her undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University. She has extensive experience working with children with autism and early language development, and is Hanen certified and trained in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding. She especially enjoys working with children ages birth to three as they begin discovering and communicating with the world around them. When she has free time, she loves spending time with her husband and their five children.

Ismara Contratto M.S. CCC-SLP

Ismara

Ismara earned both her B.S. and M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Sacramento. She has experience working with toddlers through middle school-aged children in public schools and private practice. Her areas of expertise include speech sound disorders, early language development, and pediatric feeding and swallowing. She is trained in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding and especially enjoys helping children with extreme picky eating expand their diets. When she has free time, she loves spending time with her family, hiking, cooking, and kayaking.

Karen Edmiston M.S. CCC-SLP

Karen

Karen earned her Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She has extensive experience working with individuals from infancy through adulthood in public schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. She has always had a special interest in early childhood and now focuses on early intervention at Building Blocks Speech and Language. When she has free time, she loves musical theater, walking, reading historical novels, cooking, and collecting favorite quotes and verses.

Valerie Loberg M.A. CCC-SLP

Valerie

Valerie earned her Master’s degree from California State University, Chico in 2016. She has experience working with preschool and school-aged children in school settings, with a special passion for early intervention and helping children communicate their wants and needs. She also has a strong interest in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and uses evidence-based approaches to support motor speech development. Valerie enjoys collaborating with families and providing practical strategies to support their child’s development at home. When she has free time, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter, and visiting Lake Tahoe.

Bethany Stout M.S. CCC-SLP

Bethany

Bethany is a Speech-Language Pathologist with experience in skilled nursing, school, and clinical settings. She has a special passion for working with the early intervention population and enjoys creating engaging, sensory-based therapy experiences. Bethany believes in meeting each child and family where they are and tailoring therapy to their individual needs. When she has free time, she loves spending time with family and enjoying new adventures.

Carol Oliveras M.S. CCC-SLP

Carol

Carol earned her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus in 1999. She has extensive experience working with children and families in early intervention, preschool, and school settings. Carol is an ASHA-certified, Spanish-English bilingual clinician who especially enjoys working with young children and multicultural families. When she has free time, she loves running, hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, three daughters, and dog, Taina.

Julia Miles M.S. CCC-SLP

Julia

Julia earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Chico and her Master’s degree from West Texas A&M University. She is an ASHA member with experience in public schools and in-home early intervention. Julia enjoys supporting children with functional communication skills, expressive and receptive language delays, and a variety of communication disorders through play-based therapy. When she has free time, she loves hiking with her husband, spoiling her golden retriever, and cheering on the Oakland A’s.

Abigail Nye B.A. SLPA

Abigail

Abigail earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Education from CSU, Sacramento. She is a certified Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with experience working with children ages 0–13 in clinic, in-home, and school settings. Abigail has a special passion for working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders and enjoys helping children and families reach their communication goals. She hopes to pursue her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in the future. When she has free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, working out, watching TV, and enjoying the outdoors.

Lindsay Baughn M.S. SLP

Lindsay

Lindsay earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Chico and is a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She has experience providing speech and language services to children ages 0–12, with a special interest in early intervention and helping children reach their communication milestones. Lindsay enjoys creating engaging therapy experiences that support each child’s individual needs. When she has free time, she loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and connecting with friends and family.

Joy Bell C-SLPA-C

Joy

Joy holds an Associate of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology Assistance and is an ASHA-certified SLPA. She brings over ten years of experience working with preschool through high school students in public school settings, with a special interest in articulation and early language development. As a Certified Independent Baby Sign Language Instructor, Joy is passionate about supporting early communication. When she has free time, she loves watching her children play competitive soccer and taking family vacations to Disneyland.

Alyssa Hammitt M.S. CCC-SLP

Alyssa

Alyssa is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Pediatric Feeding Specialist with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA. She specializes in early intervention, pediatric feeding and swallowing, and speech and language development. Alyssa is passionate about helping children with feeding challenges, oral-motor delays, and picky eating while empowering families with practical strategies. When she has free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and enjoying the outdoors.

Rhonda Sattherthwaite M.S. CCC-SLP

Rhonda

Rhonda earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1993 and brings over 30 years of experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings. She has a special passion for children ages 0–3 and enjoys treating the whole child through sensory activities, movement, and play. Rhonda is Hanen certified, trained in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding and PROMPT Level 1, and has experience with AAC, sign language, and reading programs. When she has free time, she loves cooking, swimming, dancing, and spending time with her two grown children.

Megan Timmins M.S. CCC-SLP

Teagan Cammarano M.S. CCC-SLP

Alex Batista M.S. CCC-SLP

Megan

Megan earned her Master’s degree from Augustana College in Illinois. Before graduate school, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in specialized kindergarten classrooms and has experience working with children ages 3–18. Megan has a special passion for early intervention and enjoys creating engaging therapy experiences that support children’s communication development. She believes in meeting children where they are and helping them build skills with confidence. When she has free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, and relaxing at the beach.

Teagan

Teagan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno and her Master’s degree from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She has experience working with preschool through high school students across a variety of educational settings and has extensive experience supporting children with autism and varying levels of developmental needs. Teagan enjoys building connections with her clients and creating therapy that is engaging and individualized to each child. When she has free time, she loves traveling, working on home improvement projects, and spending time with her bull terrier, Rowdy.

Alex

Alex received her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Sacramento. She has completed PROMPT training and is passionate about providing individualized, family-centered care.

Alex has experience working with a wide range of pediatric populations, with a primary focus on early intervention and speech sound disorders. She enjoys helping children build confidence and develop functional communication skills through engaging, play-based therapy.

In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time by the water, reading, and exploring with her son.

Cristal Diaz-Velez B.S. SLPA

Whitney Mancine M.S. CCC-SLP

Natalie Disho SLPA

Cristal

Cristal earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Sacramento and her SLPA certification through Sacramento State. She brings over 10 years of experience supporting children and teens with autism and related developmental disabilities, including experience in ABA. Cristal is passionate about building meaningful connections while helping children develop their communication skills. When she has free time, she loves exploring new places, trying new restaurants, photography, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Whitney

Whitney earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from California State University, Sacramento and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Northridge. She brings over eight years of experience as an SLPA, along with experience as an SLP in a middle school setting. Whitney is passionate about individualized, strengths-based care and has additional training in AAC and neurodiversity-affirming therapy. When she has free time, she loves traveling, reading mystery novels, baking, and spending time with her husband, three cats, and dog.