Meet Carrie
Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist
Carrie Balick, MS, CCC-SLP
Carrie grew up in upstate New York. She received her undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. She received her master’s degree in communication disorders and sciences from Gallaudet University, where she specialized in Deaf studies. She has received advanced training in the areas of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), feeding disorders, early language intervention, American Sign Language (ASL), Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), sensory oral motor approach to feeding and speech, and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). Carrie has been a Speech Language Pathologist for nearly 20 years.
Carrie became a speech-language pathologist for the Mt. Diablo School District in the capacity of an AAC Specialist and helped create the district’s TRAIL (Technology Resources for Access to Independent Learning) program. Carrie has served as the district's AAC Specialist for 16 years.
She is passionate about working with individuals who require AAC devices and equipment to communicate including those with multiple disabilities and complex physical impairments who require alternative access to communication device (i.e., switches, eye gaze). Carrie helps clients learn effective communication strategies to express themselves and form meaningful relationships while using their AAC system.
Carrie offers a fun, play-based, and family-friendly approach. She enjoys finding solutions to help her clients feel confident communicating their wants and needs and training family/caregivers. Seeing positive growth in her clients and their families is just one of the many reasons why Carrie loves her job.
Carrie’s dedication extends into her community. She promotes community awareness and knowledge around communication disorders and the speech-language pathologists that help foster optimal communication. When Carrie is not working, you can find her heading out on a road trip, reading, cooking, practicing yoga, and watching documentaries. She is also an avid runner and triathlete.
Advanced Training and Certifications
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80 hrs of continuing education in Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and attended 2021 Apraxia-Kids Bootcamp
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75 hrs of continuing education in Sensory-Motor and Feeding issues
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50 hours of continuing education in the areas of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTs), airway/breathing-related disorders that negatively impact mouth/jaw development, and speech and language development
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Received an Award for Continuing Education (ACE) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) for her dedication to lifelong learning in speech-language pathology
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Certified SLP in the Hanen programs: It Takes Two to Talk®️ and the More Than Words®️
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PROMPT®️ (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Musculature Phonetic Targets) Level 1 Certification
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Certified Level 1 Clinician with TalkTools Oral Placement Therapy techniques for sensory-motor, speech, and feeding issues
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PECS Level 1 & Level 2 training, trained in transitioning from PECS to speech-generating devices