Emily Goudreault, M.A., CCC-SLP
Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist, Instructor of Infant/Toddler Enrichment Classes

My career has consisted of providing speech, language, cognitive and feeding therapy services to children and adults through early intervention (birth to 3 years), private practice, school-based services and medical-based services. I received my Masters of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology Summa Cum Laude from the University of Northern Colorado and maintain my Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), as well as state licensure to work as a speech-language pathologist. 

I am a communicator. I love that communication helps me make connections with people, and helps me understand a person's perspective. Communication is what helps us connect with the people, cultures and world around us, and without that ability to connect, life would be altogether different. The challenges that accompany communication difficulties are sure to touch every part of a person's life - which is why I am passionate about supporting people with communication.

Specialties: My pediatric specialties include "late talkers," apraxia, articulation (speech sound production - saying sounds correctly), lisps, phonological processes (patterns of sound errors/challenges with sound system), cleft lip/palate, feeding, expressive/receptive language, deaf/hard of hearing, stuttering, autism, auditory processing, and a variety of other challenges. Adult specialties include cognitive/memory impairments, traumatic brain injury, aphasia, voice disorders, and speech impairments (including dysarthria and apraxia), among others.

I am a PROMPT trained therapist, allowing me to help your child achieve their speech goals much faster. 

About Starting The Village & Teaching Child Enrichment Classes: I have always used sign language in my speech therapy sessions with little ones, when appropriate. When I had my first son several years ago, I searched for a baby sign language class in the Holland/Grand Rapids area to which I could take my little guy so we could practice our sign language, play with friends and meet other moms. I was shocked and bummed when I couldn't find one! I resolved to offer this service to my community as I whole-heartedly believe that teaching sign language can provide an excellent foundation for future communication skills. After many families in my baby sign language classes requested additional classes for their infants and toddlers, I founded The Village, a child enrichment hub with locations in Grand Rapids and Holland, and I continue to teach multiple classes offered there.

Other Professional Passions: While providing therapy and child enrichment classes are my primary passions, I am also drawn to other areas in my field. I have been involved in several research projects, and I've been commissioned by Gannett Publishing for contribution to continuing-ed modules and Pearson Publishing to write an Instructor's Manual to accompany an entry-level textbook: Born to Talk: An Introduction to Speech and Language Development, 6th Edition. 

I am also passionate about education other professionals about speech and language development, teaching strategies, baby sign language....and any other topics I am knowledgeable about! I love leading professional development workshops for preschools, school districts, daycares, libraries, parent groups, and church groups. 

A Little More About Me: I am a Colorado native, originally from the front range area of Colorado. In January 2016, we moved to west Michigan from the Aspen area. We love it here! In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my 2 sons, my husband and our cat. We love hiking, camping, snowboarding, cross country skiing, riding our bikes, exploring, sitting at the beach, reading, seeing live music, and above all, traveling. Our last adventures were to Colombia, and a southeast Asia trip to Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia - we can't wait to get back out in the world and do some more exploring! 

Would you like to see my curriculum vitae, which summarizes my education and professional experience? Click here.