About Us
Our goal at the Speech Jungle is to help children communicate more effectively and achieve self-help and motor skills in a fun and non-threatening environment. We incorporate play to help children forget about their speech, language, fine, gross motor or social language delays, and gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve their target speech and OT goals.
We focus on the child’s strengths and areas of interest, whether it be music, favorite toys, animals, hobbies, gross motor activities, etc. and incorporate it into their therapy. With children receiving speech therapy, a total communication approach is implemented depending on the child’s needs including but not limited to: verbalizations, auditory development, beginning sign language/gestures, tactile input, written language, Picture exchange (PECS), and other augmentative alternative communication as appropriate.
At Speech Jungle, we’re able to provide a team approach to therapy as we provide both speech and occupational therapy services. We also frequently collaborate with ABA providers and school staff to best meet each child’s needs and help carryover skills to all environments.
History
On January 1, 2020, Laura Reedy purchased Wordplay Therapy Center and relaunched under the Speech Jungle banner after the previous owner, Dawn Hopkins and her family relocated out of state.
Wordplay Therapy Center was founded in 2005 by Dawn and for over 15 years she and her staff built a thriving business that provided Speech and Occupational Therapy to Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Eastern Contra Costa County and surrounding areas.
Laura Reedy joined Wordplay in 2018 when she was approached by Dawn Hopkins to subcontract supervision of Speech Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs). Laura provided both direct and indirect supervision, developed, reviewed, and modified treatment plans for clients under her supervision, and provided ongoing education and training opportunities for SLPAs. She did this in addition to continuing to run her successful RCEB subcontractor Business.
In July of 2019, Laura made a full-time commitment to Wordplay when Dawn promoted her to Director. Since that time, Laura has been running all aspects of the clinical program, while partnering with staff, SLPs and ownership to improve existing strategies and plans for the clinical department.
Since buying the company in January, Laura and the Speech Jungle Wordplay staff have transitioned through many changes including the option of teletherapy due to the COVID-19 shelter in place. The clinic is currently offering a combination of teletherapy and in person service delivery models depending on each child’s individual needs and parents comfort levels. We have also remodeled the clinic and are excited to launch our new name Speech Jungle.
About the Owner
Laura Reedy is a Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders and Sciences at San Jose State University in 1999 and continued her education earning her Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology at San Jose State in 2002. Laura has extensive experience working in pediatrics in a variety of therapy settings. She spent her first 4 years after graduation at Evergreen School District in San Jose providing Speech and Language services to preschoolers in a variety of service delivery models including multiple non-intense 90 minute speech classes, providing push in and pull out therapy for a wide range of individuals from five special day classes and participating in a weekly assessment team to determine eligibility for special ed services of preschool children in the district.
While in San Jose, Laura served on the Santa Clara County (SCCSHA) board as special events coordinator helping to organize and sponsor multiple Speech and Language workshops in the Santa Clara County Community. She also worked with the Santa Clara County Office of Education providing summer speech therapy to all disciplines of children age preschool to young adult.
In 2006, Laura and her family relocated to Brentwood with the birth of her first son. Laura began contracting through Regional Center of the East Bay in March 2007, providing home-based speech services as part of their early intervention program. She specialized in infants and toddlers up to age 3. Laura collaborated with Infant Development Specialists, ABA therapists and supervisors, and Case Managers to provide the most effective care. She grew her business sub-contracting with the Reading Clinic in Walnut Creek, providing center- based Speech and Language Therapy for a wider range of clients (children – birth to teen.)
Since working at Wordplay/Speech Jungle Laura has had the opportunity to continue working with all ages of children with a wide variety of speech and language needs. She and the Speech Jungle staff love what they do and feel blessed to work in such a rewarding field!
It's not all work - all day!
We like to have fun when we can!
Our Staff is always ready to answer your questions and help you get the therapy that your children deserve!
We Hope to Hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Ms. Laura, Mr. Ryan, Ms. Monique, Ms. Belinda, Ms. Angelica, Ms. Stacy, Ms. Mia, Ms. Maja & Ms. Lisa
Contact Us to Learn More
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