Specializing in
Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy Services
MEET OUR:
Occupational Therapists
Emily Masterson, M.S., OTR/L
Emily Masterson joined SST in August 2014. Emily graduated with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College, located in the Finger Lakes area of New York State. Originally from the Columbus area, Emily returned to Ohio with her family to pursue her career in Occupational Therapy. Emily has experience in various settings, including outpatient, school based, aquatics and home based. She specializes in treating the pediatric population, focusing especially on sensory integration, feeding, motor skill development, visual motor integration, life skills and early intervention.
Emily is a trained SOS therapist. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
You may contact Emily at emily@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Department Head
Sarah Aldridge, OTR/L
Sarah Aldridge joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in August of 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University and in 2008 her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the Florida International University. Sarah has a long history of working with children of all ages within outpatient, school-based, and home-based settings, and has shown a special interest in sensory processing disorders, motor skill development, visual motor integration/handwriting, and daily living skills.
Sarah is trained in Handwriting Without Tears, Therapeutic Listening, and holds a Basic DIR/Floortime certification. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Furthermore, she is licensed by the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
You may contact Sarah at sarah@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Julie Ballinger, M.S., OTR/L
Julie Ballinger started at Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in August 2017. She graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Natural Resources and again with a Masters of Occupational Therapy. Julie worked for many years an environmental educator and then as a preschool teacher. Julie is a trained SOS therapist and certified by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy. She holds licenses from the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Julie enjoys working with people of all ages but is especially passionate about working with the pediatric population and their families.
You may contact Julie at julie@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Clinic-Based Lead
Shardae Burks, MOTR/L
Shardae Burks, MOTR/L joined Specialized Speech Technologies in February 2015. She attended The Ohio State University as an undergraduate, where she obtained her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Allied Health Professions with a specialization in Health Management in 2011. Shardae received her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from Cleveland State University in 2014. She is certified by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
Shardae appreciates working with clients of all ages. She has experience working in a variety of settings including: adult day center for individuals with developmental disabilities, hand therapy clinic, acute care hospital, pediatric outpatient clinic, after school program for low income at-risk students, and school systems. Shardae enjoys engaging children in therapeutic and meaningful activities to help increase function and age appropriate independence.
You may contact Shardae at shardae@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Nicole Capoccia, MOTR/L
Nicole Capoccia joined Specialized Speech Technologies in August 2013. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from West Virginia University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Performance. She received her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2004 from West Virginia University. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
Nicole is currently in her tenth year of working in school-based practice and has worked with children ranging from preschool to high school age. She also has experience working with children and adolescents with physical and cognitive disabilities within the home setting. Her interests include visual motor integration, visual perception, fine motor development, vocational and life skill development, assistive technology, and handwriting. Her passion is in working with the pediatric population and their families, and she strives to make therapy sessions fun and meaningful for the child.
You may contact Nicole at nicolec@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Katie Finnegan, OTR/L
Katie Finnegan joined SST in March 2022. Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Occupational Therapy from THE Ohio State University in 2004. After falling in love with the city of Columbus throughout her college career, Katie decided to settle here and begin her family. Katie, and her husband Nick have 4 children together and reside in Hilliard. When not enjoying her time as a clinician, you can find Katie on a sports field or court cheering on her children. Katie has a passion for outpatient, clinic based therapy where she can truly work with the families 1:1 to help each child meet their needs and goals. She specializes in treating the pediatric population, focusing especially on sensory processing, motor skill development, visual motor integration and handwriting, as well as important life skills.
Katie has several trainings and certifications in a variety of treatment areas. Some of these include Therapeutic Listening, Interactive Metronome, Handwriting Without Tears, and the Play Project. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio.
You may contact Katie at katief@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Carrigan Hatia, OTD, OTR/L
Carrigan Hatia joined Specialized Speech Technologies in August 2023. She graduated with her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from The University of Findlay in 2023. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the State of Ohio and the Department of Education.
Carrigan has experience working with preschool-aged children through high school in the school setting, adults in acute care, and in pelvic floor rehabilitation. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages to promote independence in meaningful activities. Carrigan’s interests include fine motor development, sensory processing, handwriting, vocational and life skill development, as well as visual motor and visual perceptual skill development.
You may contact Carrigan at carrigan@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Jodie Herning, MS, OTR/L
My name is Jodie Herning and I am a newly graduated Occupational Therapist. I have been in occupational therapy for over 11 years as I worked as an Occupational Therapist Assistant prior to my recent graduation. I have worked in pediatrics since 2012 including outpatient clinics, schools, and summer camps for children with anxiety. I have also worked with the adult population in acute care and outpatient orthopedics and neurology. I enjoy working with children with all types of backgrounds. I live in Delaware with my husband and 4 daughters ages 23-11. I have 3 dogs, 4 chickens, and a horse (as you can see I love animals). One day I would love to use hippo-therapy as an adjunct to therapy, as I have volunteered in this setting and have seen many benefits! I am excited to be working for Specialized Speech!
You may contact Jodie at jodie@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Michelle Long, MOT, OTR-L
Michelle Long joined Specialized Speech Technologies in February 2015. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Disability Studies and in 2014 with her Masters of Occupational Therapy. During her second year of graduate school she completed a year-long fellowship as a LEND Trainee through The Ohio State University Nisonger Center where she further honed her skills working with individuals across the lifespan with developmental disabilities. Michelle is certified by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy and holds licenses from the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Michelle has experience working with children from preschool to 12th grade in the schools and home setting and adults in inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and inpatient psychiatric care. She is passionate about providing motivating and client-centered care to all clients with a special interest in developmental disabilities. Michelle is the proud sister of a wonderful young adult who has Down syndrome.
You may contact Michelle at michelle@specializedspeech.com
Denise McClintock, OTR/L
Denise McClintock joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in December of 2020. She graduated University of Oklahoma in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the State of Ohio. She is also licensed by the Ohio Department of Education.
Denise is currently in her twenty-ninth year of working with the pediatric population and has worked with children ranging from birth to high school age. She has spent the last fifteen years working primarily within a school setting. She enjoys helping children reach their fullest potential in school and has additional training in assistive technology.
You may contact Denise at denise@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Abbey Poppe, M.S., OTR/L
Abbey Poppe joined SST in September of 2022. Abbey graduated with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University in 2014. She is licensed by the state of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education.
Abbey has multiple years of experience working with the pediatric population having previously worked for a large school district where she helped preschool aged students through high schoolers. She has experience in the evaluation and treatment of fine motor skills, sensory processing disorders, and visual motor skills. Abbey is passionate about collaborating with children and their families to ensure positive functional outcomes for each individual.
You may contact Abbey at abbey@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Katie Trippel, MOT, OTR/L
Katie Trippel joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in October 2015. She attended the University of Dayton, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in early childhood education in 2002. Following graduation, Katie worked 6 years at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a certified child life specialist, providing family centered psychosocial, developmental, and educational support for patients and their families. With a passion to help others and a desire to further her healthcare career, Katie returned to graduate school at The Ohio State University, where she graduated with a Masters in Occupational Therapy in 2009. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, licensed by the state of Ohio and the Ohio Board of Education.
Katie has worked with pre-school aged children through high school in the school setting. Additionally, she has treated adults in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and in a hand therapy setting. Katie has experience in the evaluation and treatment for visual motor, fine motor, and visual perceptual delays as well as sensory processing disorders. Her areas of interest include visual motor integration, sensory processing, assistive technology, and teaching self-regulation skills. Katie enjoys working with clients of all ages, but especially loves collaborating with students, family, and staff in the school setting.
You can reach Katie at katiet@specializedspeech.com
Occupational Therapist
Meghan Vesper, MOT, OTR/L
Meghan Vesper joined Specialized Speech Technologies, Inc. in August 2020. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Denison University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Maryland. After working as the Director of Sales and Marketing for an independent film center, Meghan went back to school and received her Master of Occupational Therapy from The Ohio State University. She is a trained SOS therapist and is certified by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy. Meghan is licensed by the State of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education. She is also a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Meghan has experience working in inpatient psychiatric care, community mental health, and the school setting. She is passionate about collaborating with families and incorporating a child’s strengths and interests into therapy sessions.
You may contact Meghan at meghan@specializedspeech.com