About Us
Speech, Hearing, Communication....
the most important factors in a child's development. If not detected early, problems in any of these critical areas can easily affect a person throughout his or her life.
Kendall Speech and Language Center, Inc. currently serves children and adults with a variety of communication needs. We are a progressive organization with a clear vision for the future. We have always taken pride in our ability to adapt programs to the changing needs of each and every one of our patients.
The Center also works closely with our patient's families. We provide a host of services including speech and language evaluations and therapy, play dates, intensive therapy programs for children, preschool and kindergarten preparedness training, academic tutoring, occupational therapy assessment and therapy, and computer training.
For parents, we offer training sessions in parenting skills, handling behavioral issues, enhancing language at home, diet/nutrition, and other topics.
Meet our Team
From Speech and Language Pathologists, to Board Certified Behavior Analysts,
to Occupational Therapists
Wendy Nottoli, M.A., CCC, BCaBA
President
Wendy lives a busy, productive life working with her patients and their families. She works with her talented staff by interacting and enriching skills and knowledge through ongoing education.
Wendy is a Certified Developmental Speech-Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. She is advanced trained in the PROMPT technique and a certified TALK TOOLS specialist in the area of oral motor/feeding. Wendy is SOS trained; a program designed to work with feeding challenges. She is certified as a HANEN leader for: It “Takes Two To Talk”; “More Than Words”; “Talkability”; and “Learning Language and Loving It”. Wendy provides hands on training for parents and professionals using these program designs. She is a certified specialist for the Listening Program (TLP); Integrated Listening System (ILS); and Fast ForWord. Currently Wendy is a PLAY PROJECT Consultant.
Additionally, she is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Instructor providing 8 week MBSR guidance in mediations to adults and children.
When she is not at the Center you will find her working out, enjoying the company of her husband, watching tennis, reading a good book, keeping herself healthy or creating new ways to serve her patients and staff.
Kayla Phillips, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Kayla graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2012. She returned to Miami to be with her family and to pursue her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Florida International University. She has training in PROMPT intervention and as a HANEN certified instructor for “It Takes Two to Talk.” She enjoys working with children of all different ages with a variety of speech, language, and pragmatic issues. She focuses her sessions around following the child’s lead. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her baby boy and husband and getting outdoors, especially when the ocean is involved.
Emily Eckblom, CF-SLP
Speech and Language Pathologist
Emily graduated from Texas Christian University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She returned to Miami and started working at the Kendall Speech and Language Center. Emily began her Master’s program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She graduated in April 2022 with a Master of Science in Speech-Pathology. Emily is trained in PROMPT intervention and is trained in behavior management and ABA/Verbal behavior. Emily enjoys working with children to improve their communication abilities. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Veronica Canchon, Ed S., M.A., BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Veronica is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who leads the behavior department at KSLC. She supervises and coaches BCaBAs, behavior technicians, parents, and staff members on implementing effective behavior programs. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a focus on Behavior Analysis from Florida International University and holds an Education Specialist (Ed. S) degree from the School of Psychology at Florida International University. She chose the field of ABA because she values the empirical nature of the science and its practical application to the natural environment to improve skill deficits in children with autism and related disabilities. Veronica has nearly 15 years of experience working with special needs children and their families using applied behavioral analytical strategies to help them be more successful and independent in their daily lives.
Yanelis Aias, M.A., BCBA
Board Certifiied Behavior Analyst
Yanelis graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2015. She continued on to earn her Master of Arts in Professional Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology while interning and gaining experience in the Intensive Behavioral Intervention Services Clinic (IBIS) at the University of Miami. Yanelis chose the field of Behavior Analysis because of its evidence based approach to improve socially significant behaviors in children with autism and related disabilities.
When not working at the center, Yanelis enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading a book.
Regina Del Castillo, BCaBA
Board Certifiied Behavior Analyst Assistant
Regina graduated from Florida International University in 2020 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She started at Kendall Speech and Language Center in 2018 as a behavior technician. With her experience as a technician she continued her work in the field and became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2020. She continues her passion in the field and is currently working towards her master’s in applied Behavior Analysis at Florida International University to obtain her BCBA certification. Regina chose the field of behavior analysis because she enjoys the world of ABA and autism intervention. In her free time Regina enjoys traveling, reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.
Neyda Ketchum, M.Ed., CCC
Speech and Language Pathologist
Neyda Ketchum is a Bi-lingual Speech and Language Pathologist who has been working with the Kendall Speech and Language Center since 1995.
Ms. Ketchum graduated with a Baccalaureate Degree in the area of Elementary Education. She went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.
The areas of specialty that Ms. Ketchum focuses on include children with speech and language disorders related to bilingual issues; auditory processing, and Autism Spectrum Disorders and related disabilities. She has received training in: Lindamood-Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking Program and Talkies for Oral Language Comprehension, Hanen’s “It Takes Two to Talk”, and the PROMPT technique. She oversees the Fast ForWord program, as well as the computer-based and iPad-based programs offered at our Center.
Gabriella Lopez, MOT OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Gabriella was born and raised in Miami. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University in 2018. She pursued and earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the Health and Science at the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences in 2020. Gaby is registered with the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy and has completed fieldwork in a variety of settings such as early Headstart programs, pediatric outpatient clinics and home health, and inpatient rehabilitation unit for adults. She has experience working with a multitude of diagnoses with a primary interest in those related to neurodevelopmental dysfunction such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing and Developmental Delay.
She was inspired to be an Occupational therapist because of her brother and two cousins who are on the autism spectrum. She loves to work with children and to make a difference in the world for children to be as independent as possible in their own way. Outside of her work during her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, dog and loved ones. She loves to ride her horse, take photography, eat different foods, and travel the world.
​
​
Eva Jackson, M.S. CCC
Speech and Language Pathologist
Eva Jackson M.S., Eva began interning with us at the Center in winter of 2004. After she graduated with her master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, she began working as one of our Speech-Language Pathologists. Eva has overseen the Next Step Program which is a language-pragmatic stimulation program designed to enhance speech, language, and communication development in a natural, supportive environment. She has also worked with our Little Steps Big Rewards program which guides children, ages 3-5, with communication challenges to feel more confident while learning the necessary skills to succeed in a natural environment. She has created and implemented pragmatic groups that we offer at our Center which focus on dealing with change, making good choices, and preparing for school. She created the group Let’s Play which has evolved over the years. It began by teaching children how to join in a group, play with others, and make friends. As the children grew it shifted and began to involve Social Thinking skills vocabulary and curriculum as well as teaching executive functioning skills. She conducted the language groups at Rosemont Academy where she focused on the Zones of Regulation, social/pragmatic skills and increasing overall language skills in a group/classroom setting. Eva has continued her studies and is certified in administration of The Listening Program (TLP) and is trained in the area of PROMPT.
She is currently seeing some of our patients abroad via teletherapy.
Cristina Ortega, M.S., CCC
Speech and Language Pathologist
Cristi is a PROMPT-trained Speech-Language Pathologist. She truly enjoys working with children and is passionate about her work in the areas of oral motor and feeding therapy. Cristi is a TalkTools® Level 3 Trained Therapist, is SOS-trained and a certified HANEN leader for “It Takes Two to Talk”. In her free time, Cristi takes pleasure in reading and traveling, but mostly in spending time with her husband and two children.
Anna Sherry, M.S., CCC
Speech and Language Pathologist
Anna started her career at the Kendall Speech and Language Center, Inc. in 1997. She worked as a trained technician working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In 1998, Anna earned the position as a speech assistant at KSLC. She decided to focus on speech and language development as her chosen career and went on to earn her master’s degree and finish training in New York City. Anna lives with her husband and three girls. She enjoys teaching children social skills to assist them in their social settings. Anna teaches children school-related skills, friendship making skills, and dealing with feelings. She runs the Little Steps Big Rewards program that is offered at KSLC. This program is for children functioning between the ages of 2 1/2 and 4 years of age. This program is designed to facilitate emergent literacy, language development, social interaction and phonemic awareness. Anna will lead groups related to social thinking skills to assist school age children with understanding how to use language in social situations. Anna is now working at Kendall Speech and Language Center, Inc. part-time.
Ysmery Reyes-Ruiz, M.S.
Special Education
Ysmery has over 15 years of experience working with special needs children and their families. She received her B.A. in psychology with a major in human resources in 2008. Shortly after, she pursued her Masters degree at Barry University where she graduated with a M.S. in exceptional student education with an endorsement in Autism. She is also certified in Handwriting Without Tears. She is passionate about teaching children and making a difference in their lives.