Speech Pathology Services of Atlanta
From our beginnings in 1987, under the leadership of Mindy Cohen, Speech Pathology Services of Atlanta is a nationally recognized, fully integrated therapeutic center.
Our mission is to improve the lives of children with speech, auditory processing, reading, sensory integration, apraxia, feeding and motor difficulties, as well as to improve the lives of adults with typical age-related memory difficulties and listening difficulties.
Some of our programs include traditional speech language therapy, occupational therapy, off-site observations, home visits (to develop sensory processing playrooms), team evaluations, individual, group, or co-treatment models of intervention, and community seminars.
We always provide a comprehensive diagnosis, provide you with current information, and confer with medical and educational professionals as needed.
Speech Pathology Services of Atlanta is located just north of the city. We primarily serve Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Clayton and Cobb counties.
Who Are We?
Mindy Cohen
Founding Director, Speech-Language PathologistMs. Cohen has been responsible for transforming a one-on-one Speech-Language Therapy practice in 1987 to a fully integrated, multidisciplinary therapeutic service in Atlanta. A Speech-Language Pathologist for over 26 years, Ms. Cohen has published numerous research articles, conducted over 30 presentations and workshops, and appeared on 11 Alive local television for her successful Toddler Talk Program.
Melanie Dasher Sirmans
OTR/L, Staff Occupational TherapistMelanie Dasher received her training at the Medical College of Georgia, with a Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy. Melanie has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist specializing in pediatrics for over nine years. Prior to working at SPS Atlanta, Melanie served as Coordinator for Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy at a large hospital.
Jennifer Varnado
M.A., CCC-SLPJennifer Varnado, received her training at the University of Central Florida and earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders. Jennifer’s has a wide range of therapeutic experience that includes working with children who have difficulties in the areas of expressive and receptive language skills, articulation, pragmatics, augmentative communication, oral motor therapy, feeding and swallowing therapy, pre-literacy, and auditory processing.
Natalie Carpenter
M.Ed., CCC-SLPNatalie received her training at Morris Brown College, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and subsequent Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders at Georgia State University. Natalie has provided diagnostic and intervention services for children and adults who demonstrate articulation, language, fluency, and neurologically based disorders. She has practiced in a variety of settings that include home, school, and clinic as well as a large local hospital. As part of the diagnostic team of the Toddler Language Intervention Project at Georgia State University, Natalie worked closely with Dr. Mary Ann Romski, who is nationally known for her work in language acquisition and development.
Wendy Fern
Clinic Coordinator, N.N.E.B.Wendy received her training from Kilmarnock College, Scotland and graduated with an N.N.E.B. degree in Nursery Nursing Education. Specializing in pediatrics since 1987, she has provided numerous support services to children and their families that include: consultation, auditory processing and learning disability therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, aquatic therapy, individual hand-writing instruction, classroom facilitation and academic programming.
Alexis Benstock
Fast ForWord CoordinatorAlexis received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, as well as a minor in Special Education with emphasis in deaf and hard of hearing education from the University of Arizona. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, which include the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, Hands and Voices society, National Association for the Hearing Impaired, and the Deaf Education organization. Alexis will be entering graduate school in the fall and plans to earn a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders.
As Fast ForWord Coordinator at SPS, Alexis works closely with our students as she monitors their progress and provides the individual support necessary for successful completion of their SPS brain-based programming.