Speech Therapy

Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

Starkville Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

Columbus Kids Therapy Spot Speech Therapy Team

 

MELISSA DAVIS, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT OWNER
Melissa is one of the owners of Kids Therapy Spot. She is the owner of the Speech Therapy Department (Speech Therapy for Kids, LLC) and oversees this portion of the clinic. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic and Starkville Pediatric Extended Care. Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Middle Tennessee State University in May of 2000. She then moved to Mississippi and obtained her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2002. Since this time, she has been treating children between the ages of birth-15 with a variety of complex disorders in both the home and clinic setting. Over the years, Melissa discovered her passion for treating children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and has and continues to obtain a large amount of continuing education in this area. She now primarily focuses on treating children with this need in addition to training other SLPs to provide the best care for children with PFD. Melissa speaks to SLP graduate students about treating children with PFD in addition to volunteering with the national organization Feeding Matters. Melissa was on the ASHA 2023 Pediatric Feeding Disorders topic committee and received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in May 2020 and March 2023. She currently lives in Starkville with her husband and their two children.

JASMINE MANASCO, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR – COLUMBUS CLINIC

Jasmine joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in November 2018 and was promoted to Speech Therapy Director of the Columbus clinic in 2021. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Columbus clinic and Pediatrust location in Columbus, MS. Jasmine received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences from Misericordia University in 2015 and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Misericordia University in 2017. Jasmine has special interests in treating children with feeding disorders and the utilization of AAC devices. She currently lives in Columbus, MS with her husband and son.

SUSIE UTZ, M.S., CCC-SLP

SPEECH THERAPY DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR – STARKVILLE CLINIC 

Susie joined the team at Kids Therapy Spot in July 2014 and was promoted to Speech Therapy Director of the Starkville clinic in 2023. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic and Starkville Pediatric Extended Care. Susie received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi. Susie has been an SLP since 2002 and has worked in a variety of settings providing speech therapy services to children with speech/language delays, along with autism and dyslexia. Susie served as the supervisor and co-developer of the LEAP program, an after-school initiative designed for students ages 5-10 with challenges in reading, spelling and written language. Susie currently lives in Starkville with her two sons.

LESLEY NORRIS, M.S., CCC-SLP

Lesley joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in February 2017. She is the primary SLP at the Meridian Pediatric Extended Care location in Meridian, MS. Lesley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2006. She received a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2007. Lesley currently lives in Meridian, MS with her two children.

 

ERIN SMITH, M.A., CCC-SLP

Erin joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2018. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic, Starkville private schools and Starkville Pediatric Extended Care. Erin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Mississippi State University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Delta State University in 2012. She received a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Louisiana Tech University in 2015. She currently lives in Starkville with her husband and two sons.

HAYLIE GONZALEZ, M.S., CCC-SLP

Haylie joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2021. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic. Haylie received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology, and Minor in Psychology at the University of Science and Art of Oklahoma in 2018. She then proceeded to become a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant while working towards her Masters degree. Haylie received her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of St. Augustine in 2020. Haylee has special interests in treating pediatrics with feeding disorders. She currently lives in Starkville, MS with her husband.

RACHEL TRUESDALE, M.S., CCC-SLP

Rachel joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in November 2021. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Columbus clinic and Pediatrust location in Columbus, MS. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Mississippi University for Women in 2012. Rachel received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Alabama A & M University in 2016. Rachel lives in Columbus, MS with her husband and two children. 

BROOKLYN SPARNECHT, M.S., CCC-SLP

Brooklyn joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in January 2022 and is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot Starkville clinic. Brooklyn graduated from Mississippi University for Women with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017 and went on to receive her Master’s degree from Jackson State University in 2019. Following graduation, Brooklyn completed a one-year intensive fellowship through UMMC in Jackson, MS with a focus in pediatric developmental and behavioral health, specifically completing extensive training in pediatric autism evaluation. As a result, Brooklyn is certified in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2^nd Edition (ADOS-2) and the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT). Brooklyn is also a certified DIRFloortime® clinician and is in the process of completing coursework to be a Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) trained clinician. Brooklyn received the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) in August 2023.

MARLEE BRANDON, M.S., CCC-SLP

Marlee joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in June 2022. She is an SLP at both of the Kids Therapy Spot clinics in Starkville and Columbus. Marlee received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi in May of 2019. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Southern Mississippi in May of 2021. Marlee lives in Starkville, MS with her husband and son. 

ANNA CLAIRE PHILLIPS, M.S., CCC-SLP

Anna Claire joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in June 2023. She is an SLP the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Columbus. Anna Claire received a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi State University in May 2020. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May 2023. Anna Claire lives in Columbus, MS with her husband.

SARAH COSBY, M.S., CCC-SLP

Sarah joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in August 2023. She is an SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Starkville. Sarah received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2020. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2022. Sarah lives in Starkville, MS with her husband.

BRITTANI MOREHEAD, M.S., CCC-SLP

Brittani joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in September 2023. She is an SLP at both of the Kids Therapy Spot clinics in Columbus and Starkville. Brittani received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences from Murray State University in May of 2011. She went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Murray State University in August of 2014.

HANNAH SPENCER, M.A., CCC-SLP

Hannah joined the Kids Therapy Spot team in October 2023. She is a part-time SLP at the Kids Therapy Spot clinic in Starkville. Hannah received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Auburn University in May of 2013. She went on to receive her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Memphis in August of 2016. Prior to joining Kids Therapy Spot, Hannah enjoyed working with children in the public schools and at a non-profit speech and hearing clinic. Hannah lives in Starkville with her husband and two sons.