Archives: Employees

VernaAnn Kotansky: Expert Speech Language Pathologist & AAC Innovator

VernaAnn Kotansky, MA, CCC-SLP, is a highly distinguished Speech Language Pathologist with over 30 years of clinical experience. Dedicated to helping children communicate confidently, VernaAnn has built a career defined by innovative therapy and a passion for accessibility. Her professional journey spans diverse environments, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, developmental facilities, and public schools.  She is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist and President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC. A native of Western New York, she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo.

A Career Defined by Diverse Clinical Excellence

With more than 30 years of experience, VernaAnn’s professional journey is a testament to her versatility and commitment to the field. She has navigated a wide array of clinical environments, providing her with a holistic understanding of patient needs across the lifespan. Her expertise has been honed in:

• Acute and Rehabilitative Hospitals: Managing complex communication and swallowing disorders.

• Developmental Centers: Working with individuals with profound cognitive and physical challenges.

• Public School Systems: Developing IEP-driven strategies that help students thrive in general education and special education settings.

Throughout these roles, VernaAnn has maintained a steadfast focus on empowering children. By utilizing communication boards and advanced assistive technologies, she bridges the gap between a child’s thoughts and their ability to share them with the world.

Specialized Expertise in AAC and Assistive Technology

As a specialist in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), VernaAnn focuses on empowering children through communication boards and assistive technology. Her clinical interests and areas of expertise include:

• AAC and Assistive Technology: VernaAnn excels in matching students with the right technology, from low-tech PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to high-tech speech-generating devices.

• Autism Spectrum Disorders: Her approach to ASD is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming practices, focusing on functional communication that honors the individual’s unique processing style.

• Social Communication & Pragmatics: She helps children navigate the nuances of social interaction, from turn-taking to understanding non-verbal cues.

• Executive Function: VernaAnn integrates strategies to help students improve their organization, planning, and self-regulation—skills that are vital for both academic success and daily independence.

Advanced Credentials and Academic Honors

Education and continuous learning are pillars of VernaAnn’s practice. She holds advanced certifications in Assistive Technology for Communication and Classroom Applications from the University of South Florida. This specialized training allows her to integrate complex technology seamlessly into the classroom environment, ensuring that teachers and students can utilize these tools effectively.

Furthermore, VernaAnn is T.E.A.C.C.H. certified and PECS trained, methodologies that are gold standards in the treatment of autism. Her dedication to the profession was notably recognized when she was named a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar, an honor reserved for teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and a commitment to the nursing of young minds.

Leadership and Innovation at Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC

As the President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, VernaAnn has translated her clinical insights into tangible resources that serve communities nationwide. The company’s primary mission is to make communication accessible in every public space.

One of her most significant contributions to the field is the development of Playground Communication Boards. These large, weather-resistant boards allow children with communication differences to interact with their peers during play—a time when traditional devices might be cumbersome or unavailable. By installing these boards in schools and parks, VernaAnn is not only supporting AAC users but also raising awareness and fostering a culture of inclusion among neurotypical children and adults.

VernaAnn maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is an active member of the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association (OSLHA), the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT).

Personal Life and Advocacy

VernaAnn lives in Lakewood, Ohio, with her husband and tfamily. Her life in Lakewood is filled with the same passion she brings to her work—helping families, educators, and local communities understand the transformative power of AAC. Through her advocacy, VernaAnn Kotansky continues to be a leading voice in the movement to foster connection and ensure a voice for every individual.

Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP: Expert Speech-Language Pathologist & Inclusion Advocate

Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, is a nationally recognized Speech-Language Pathologist and the co-founder and Vice President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Ellen has dedicated her life’s work to helping children find their voices and helping families build the bridges necessary for lifelong connection. Based in Lakewood, Ohio, her clinical philosophy is rooted in the belief that communication is the heartbeat of human experience and that every child deserves a seat at the table.

Academic Excellence and Professional Credentials

Ellen’s journey into the world of communication sciences began at Marquette University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Communications. She furthered her specialization by obtaining a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University.

As a veteran in the field, Ellen holds the prestigious Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She is fully licensed by the State of Ohio in Speech-Language Pathology, ensuring her practice meets the highest national and state standards for clinical excellence and ethical care.

Advanced Therapeutic Methodologies

One of the hallmarks of Ellen Spear’s practice is her commitment to evidence-based interventions. She recognizes that every child’s neurobiology is unique, requiring a diverse toolkit of specialized approaches. Her advanced training includes:

• The PROMPT Method: A tactile-kinesthetic approach used for treating Motor Speech Disorders. By using touch cues on the child’s face (lips, jaw, and tongue), Ellen helps “re-train” the oral-motor movements necessary for clear speech.

• Hanen “It Takes Two to Talk”: This world-renowned program focuses on Early Intervention. It empowers parents to become the primary facilitators of their child’s language development within the context of daily routines.

• AAC Implementation: Ellen is a leading voice in Augmentative and Alternative Communication, integrating high-tech devices and low-tech communication boards into holistic treatment plans.

A Focus on Family-Centered Care

Ellen Spear believes that the foundation of successful therapy is not found solely in the clinic, but within the family unit. Her private practice model is built entirely around collaboration and family engagement. By involving parents in every step of the diagnostic and treatment process, she ensures that therapeutic gains are carried over into the home, school, and community.

Her areas of professional interest are broad yet interconnected, encompassing:

1. Early Intervention: Capturing the critical window of brain plasticity to maximize communication potential.

2. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Utilizing neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support social and functional communication.

3. Motor Speech Disorders: Providing specialized care for Apraxia and Dysarthria.

4. Social Communication: Helping children navigate the complexities of interpersonal interaction.

Leadership at Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC

As the Vice President of Resources at Lakeshore Speech, LLC, Ellen Spear has taken her clinical expertise from the office to the national stage. Alongside her partner, VernaAnn Kotansky, Ellen leads the company’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality AAC resources.

A cornerstone of their work is the development of Playground Communication Boards. These boards are now installed in parks and schools nationwide, providing a vital tool for children with communication differences to interact with peers during unstructured play. This initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness about AAC and fostering inclusive environments where every child feels seen and heard.

Awards, Recognition, and Community Life

Ellen’s tireless advocacy and clinical skill have not gone unnoticed. In 2017, she was honored with the Connecting for Kids Professional of the Year Award, a testament to her impact on the special needs community and her ability to provide hope and clarity to struggling families.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ellen is a devoted member of the Lakewood, Ohio community. She resides there with her husband and their five children. Her personal experience as a mother informs her professional empathy, driving her passion to empower families to use communication boards and AAC as tools for connection, confidence, and radical inclusion in everyday life.