Kelli Bavaro
Kelli has been providing speech-language and feeding therapy for children ages birth through 5 years for 14 years, addressing skills through a holistic lens and using a family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, and sensory-based approach.
For the past 10 years, she has administered full developmental assessments for California’s Early Start Program (ages birth -3), always partnered with a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Child developmental Specialist, or Psychologist, and providing lots of tips and tricks for families along the way!
Kelli is most passionate about empowering caregivers and children, supporting families as they learn about their children’s strengths and struggles, and lifelong learning! She is always pursuing continuing education in the field and collaborating with colleagues in both her own and related professions in order to best serve every family that comes her way. Alongside her work with families, she has spent over a decade mentoring clinical fellows and SLP assistants. Supporting new clinicians has been one of her greatest honors—it keeps her current with the latest approaches, sharpens her own skills, and allows her to share the guidance that she once wished she had.
Dubbed by her Mama as a Wildflower, Kelli left NY to live in San Diego, CA for 10 years where, she established her career and salsa-danced into the arms of her husband. They have now returned to Long Island so that they can raise their son near family, in both NY and Türkiye. Kelli also loves hiking, spontaneous song and dance parties with her family, and DIY projects around the house!
Training and Continued Education:
Meaningful Speech: Gestalt Language Processing; NLA
Inside Out: Sensory SLP
SOS Approach to Feeding®
Myofascial Release- Barnes, level 1
Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk® & More than Words® PROMPT-level 1®
PROMPT- Level 1
Jaw Stability and Speech Clarity
M.S. CCC-SLP, TSSLD
Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in Early Childhood Development
At the Heart of My Practice
You know your child best.
Children learn best from those with whom they are most familiar and comfortable.
I am here to support You in enhancing your child's development through daily routines & predictable moments so that we can Empower your little one to
live their most full, Authentic Life!
Relationship-Based
My favorite thing about being an SLP is empowering families through coaching!
Empowered families empower their children, and empowered children become successful and happy adults.
Coaching includes: Modeling, Reflection, Trouble-shooting, Guided Practice, Feedback, Joint Interaction, Instruction.
Caregiver Empowerment
I look at all children through a holistic lens: How are their systems working together? Are they breathing through their nose? Could muscular tone or fascial tension be hindering their development? Is your child regulated in this moment, and- if not- how do we regulate them? Together we will work from the ground up, in building a foundation on which your child can Learn, Grow and Soar!
We will target the foundational skills and ensure those are met before jumping into skills that are above your child's developmental level, that way the demand is not so high that it discourages them or You.
Holistic
Children learn most from routine activities and predictable moments: Repeated exposures to language, actions, sounds, gestures, and activities!
Let's incorporate a multitude of strategies into the activities that You and your Little one engage in on a regular basis! We can make small adjustments as necessary and according to Your comfort level.
Routines-Based
All brains are different, beautiful and valuable.
People communicate and receive information differently. My practice honors and respects this and continues to use the Autistic Voice as a guide. I do not address goals or skills unless they benefit and empower the Neurodivergent Being of Light that your child is!
This means:
Total Communication Approach: All forms of expressive language are supported (e.g., speech, sign, gesture, eye gaze, communication device, body language or proximity, and more).
Positive & negative reinforcement intervention such as rewards- and compliance-based systems are not implemented.
Sensory regulation above all else; Sensory-based problem solving
Presume competence
Respect bodily autonomy
Strengths-based
Child-led play
Neurodiversity-Affirming
Testimonials
Lindsay Trottier
Kelli is the BEST speech therapist we’ve worked with. She was our first virtual therapist long before it was mandatory, and she exudes so much love, care, compassion, and engagement through the computer screen, I can only imagine how good she must be in-person! My 18 month old daughter LOVED sessions with her, and progressed so quickly week to week once we started working with her. She’s so knowledgeable, but I believe it’s her warm character and her attention that really helped my child thrive. I’m truly grateful for the work that she does and recommend her to everyone I know!
Laura Cashion
Kelli showed ME how to be my own child's therapist. She picked me up every time I blamed myself for my child's delay and reminded me that I'm a great mom and that 'little steps are BIG steps!' She actually trained practically the whole family in ways to help my little one thrive and progress. We would be lost without her.
Tracy Putnam
”Kelli’s teaching methods were very effective. I liked the way she catered to my son’s individual needs and that she could really read him, therefore was able to apply her knowledge and experience to his own program. She used methods that I had never heard of or used before (e.g., auditory bombardment, CYCLES) and they really help him.
She is a master in her field. His sessions with her were always fun and he remained engaged. Kelli is a very creative therapist who is knowledgeable about the most current therapies available and what works. I feel that we were very lucky to have her as my son’s SLP. I highly recommend her!”
Sandra Norris
Kelli was always super sweet. My son had the biggest smile whenever she came for a session. I didn't know why my son wasn't speaking at the time, but Kelli was very patient and utilized various strategies, including sign language to help him communicate.
Nour Yassin
We are deeply grateful for the incredible progress our son has made with Kelli . From the start, Kelli created a welcoming environment that made our son feel comfortable and understood.
Kelli’s expertise and personalized approach have significantly improved our son’s speech and confidence. The genuine care and encouragement provided have been invaluable, celebrating every small victory along the way.
We highly recommend Kelli to any family seeking a skilled and compassionate speech therapist. Kelli has made a profound difference in our lives, and we are forever thankful.
Adam Atler
As a new parent and single dad, I had no clue how to play with my kid. Kelli had come over to do a developmental assessment for him and even though he had a just a minor delay and didn't qualify for any therapies, she stayed late to answer all of my questions and gave me a bunch of stuff to do around the house that could help him. I requested her a couple years later when my little niece needed speech and she worked wonders on her!
Jessica Villela
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kelli as an early intervention speech therapist. Her attention to my son’s needs impressed me in every way. Kelli played a critical role in his progress. Not only was Kelli always caring and effective with my son, but the way she supported me as a parent and our family as a whole has left a lasting impression on us as a family.
Monica Paulina Graham
Mrs. Kelli is absolutely the best therapist I’ve ever known. My lil dude was 15 months old when we start this journey of trying to help him to reach his best potential! Mrs. Kelli is a compassionate caring enthusiastic person she can get to our special needs kiddos like nothing she just connects with them. My boy still remembers her, he is 9 YO and we are gonna be forever thankful for her in our lives! we love and appreciate all the work she did for our Dylan ❤️
Ricky Stern
Kelly was our son’s SLP a while back and we loved her ! She always came with a smile and sweet voice, making my son super comfortable with her. Kelly knows how to deal with children and we recommend her. Thank you!!
Jo R.
Kelli worked with my 2 year old daughter and was amazing. She always came prepared and made my daughter feel comfortable and confident. My daughter’s speech improved over the year and I am grateful we were able to work with such a dedicated speech therapist.
Let’s Connect!
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly, or call/text: (631) 317-1656.