Our Mission
We at Functional Pediatric Therapy, Co. are dedicated to providing superior quality speech, language, occupational therapy, and feeding services to help children with communication, sensory regulation, and feeding needs, while educating and coaching families, and giving back to the our community.
Mariana Polistchuk, M.S. CCC-SLP
Dear Families,
Welcome to Functional Pediatric Therapy! My name is Mariana Polistchuk, M.S., CCC-SLP, and I am a licensed and certified pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, as well as the founder and clinic director of our pediatric therapy practice located in Fox River Grove, Illinois (60021). I am passionate about helping children find their voice and supporting families every step of their therapy journey through compassionate, evidence-based care.
With more than 20 years of experience working with children—first as a classroom teacher, then as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, and now as a clinic director and supervisor—I have dedicated my career to improving outcomes for children with communication and feeding challenges. I am especially committed to supporting families of autistic children, helping them navigate therapy decisions, advocate for their child, and build functional communication skills that carry over into daily life. I proudly lead a multidisciplinary team that serves hundreds of families each month and reaches even more through community outreach, trainings, and educational events.
As a bilingual pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist fluent in Russian and Hebrew, I specialize in evaluating and treating speech and language delays, autism spectrum disorder, AAC, and pediatric feeding disorders. I provide consultations to families across the world, offering guidance, second opinions, and individualized support to help parents make informed decisions for their child—no matter where they are located. I also conduct bilingual speech and language evaluations in Russian and Hebrew for school districts throughout Illinois.
At Functional Pediatric Therapy, we support children with a wide range of developmental needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual and learning disabilities, late talkers, and other speech and language disorders. I offer specialized feeding evaluations and therapy for picky eating, sensory aversions, and motor-based feeding challenges, and I am highly trained in PROMPT, Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), the SOS Approach to Feeding, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). In addition to direct therapy, I provide professional trainings and consultations for organizations, schools, daycares, and early learning centers on a variety of pediatric communication and feeding topics, present regularly at the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) Convention, and offer teletherapy consultations and trainings worldwide. I am a proud member of ASHA and ISHA.
Sylvia Tutaj M.S. CF-SLP
My name is Sylvia Tutaj, and I am a speech-language pathologist who is passionate about supporting children and families through evidence-based, functional communication therapy. I earned both my Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Illinois State University, graduating Cum Laude.
My graduate clinical experience spans pediatric clinics, schools, and university settings, where I provided evaluation and treatment for autism spectrum disorder, language and phonological disorders, feeding difficulties, fluency, voice, and AAC. I have worked with children across a range of developmental levels, including verbal and nonverbal learners, and have experience conducting standardized assessments, participating in and leading IEP meetings, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
I value a family-centered, collaborative approach and enjoy working closely with caregivers, educators, and therapists to support skill generalization across environments. As a bilingual clinician fluent in English and Polish, I am committed to providing inclusive, supportive care while helping each child build functional communication skills with confidence.
Erin Hord M.A. CCC-SLP/L
Hello Families!
My name is Erin Hord, and I am a speech-language pathologist passionate about helping children develop meaningful communication through engaging, child-centered therapy. I earned my Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and I hold an Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate.
I have experience working with children ages 2–13 across pediatric clinic, medical, and school-based settings. My clinical work includes evaluations and treatment for speech and language delays, articulation disorders, feeding challenges, AAC, and autism spectrum disorder, with therapy plans individualized to support each child’s unique needs and strengths.
With a background in early childhood education, I strive to create a supportive, play-based therapy environment where children feel comfortable, motivated, and confident. I value collaborating closely with families and caregivers to promote carryover of skills and meaningful progress in everyday routines.
Mallory Lipski M.S. CCC-SLP
Hi! My name is Mallory Lipski, and I am a speech-language pathologist. I earned my master’s degree from Lewis University and my bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, where I also earned a certificate in Disability Studies. I have experience working with children ages 2–12 across a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and ABA centers, supporting children with diverse speech and communication needs.
I am passionate about helping young children find their voice and develop the skills they need to communicate their wants, needs, and ideas. I value a child-led approach that follows each child’s interests, builds on their individual strengths, and creates meaningful opportunities for communication through play and everyday interactions. I believe that collaboration with families is essential to helping children make progress and carry their communication skills into daily life. My goal is to create a supportive, engaging environment where every child feels valued and empowered to communicate in their own way!
Janelle Volpe M.S. SLP-CF
Hello!
My name is Janelle Volpe, and I am a speech-language pathologist who is passionate about providing child-led, family-centered care. I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Spanish, as well as my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, from Illinois State University.
My clinical experiences have allowed me to work with individuals across the lifespan, with a particular passion for working with children. I have provided evaluations and therapy in both school-based and clinical settings, supporting children with a variety of communication needs, including autism spectrum disorder, speech sound disorders, language disorders, AAC, and social communication challenges.
I have intermediate proficiency in Spanish and value providing supportive and inclusive care for all children and their families. I believe in creating a welcoming environment where children are engaged and having fun to help them build confidence in their communication skills while supporting their individual strengths and needs.
Maya Patel M.S. CF-SLP
Hi everyone,
My name is Maya Patel, and I am a speech-language pathologist who is passionate about helping children build confidence and connection through communication. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2024 and my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University in 2026.
I have experience working with children from birth through age 13 across medical, private practice, and school-based settings. My clinical background includes supporting children with speech and language delays, articulation challenges, AAC, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and medically complex infant feeding needs.
I believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment in which to grow. I value building strong relationships with children and families, and I enjoy collaborating with caregivers, educators, and other therapists to support progress across all settings. My goal is to help each child develop the skills they need to communicate with confidence and to feel successful in their everyday lives.
