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We at Functional Speech Therapy, Inc. are dedicated to providing superior quality speech, language, and feeding services to help children with communication and feeding needs, while educating and coaching families, and giving back to the community.
Mariana Polistchuk, M.S. CCC-SLP is the founder and president of Functional Speech Therapy, inc. She is a licensed and board-certified pediatric speech-language pathologist who specializes in evaluation, treatment, and consultation for children with communication and feeding needs. She is devoted to making a difference in children’s lives and supporting families along the way. She provides therapy services to children with developmental delays including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and other Language and Speech Disorders. She currently owns a private practice in Chicago suburbs where she provides teletherapy and consulting services to children from birth to 18 years of age. Mariana is fluent in 3 languages English, Russian, and Hebrew. She provides bilingual speech therapy to help families who speak their native language at home.
Mariana’s specialized trainings and certification in PROMPT and OPT allow her to implement specialized methods in addition to traditional speech therapy. She utilizes specific treatment approaches and tools for clients with motor/and or sensory impairments. Mariana is also trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding which she utilizes to provide treatment for children who demonstrate challenges with feeding. She is an AAC expert who utilizes a variety of AAC systems including Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Core Boards (low-tech AAC), functional sign language, as well as mid-tech and high-tech speech-generating devices and applications such as Tobii Dynavox, PRC- Saltillo, TouchChat App., Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), Proloquo2Go, CoughDrop...and more.
Mariana also provides individualized training and feedback to parents, school personnel, and therapists on proper evaluation, implementation, and teaching methods for individuals who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication to voice their needs and wants.
Mariana is a presenter and speaker who participated in the Illinois Speech and Language Convention in 2020. She shared her expertise and knowledge on the topic of AAC to support and educate speech therapists and families with children who use AAC.
Mariana holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is currently licensed to practice speech pathology in the state of Illinois. She is a member of the Illinois Speech Language Hearing Association (ISHA). She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University and has a master’s degree in Speech-Language-Pathology from Midwestern University.
Sandra Kogan, M.S. CF-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who works at Functional Speech Therapy Co. She has experience working with clients with a variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Speech Sound Disorders, Stuttering, Motor Speech Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders.
Sandra previously worked as an Applied Behavioral Analyst, where she provided therapeutic services to children with Autism to support daily communication and positive behaviors. She is passionate about helping children improve their language and communication using a variety of modalities. She supports children and families in using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), including Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), Core Boards, and high-tech speech-generating devices.
Sandra earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then graduated from Elmhurst University with a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. At University of Illinois, Sandra was involved in American Sign Language & Deaf Culture Club and studied American Sign Language (ASL). Sandra has experience working with clients and families of various backgrounds, and she can speak Russian and English. In her free time, Sandra enjoys spending time with friends and family, baking, watching movies, and traveling.
Megan Riley, M.S. CF-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist who works at Functional Speech Therapy Co. She has experience working with clients with a variety of diagnoses, including Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders, speech delays, late talkers, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Speech Sound Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Hearing Loss, and more.
Megan fell in love with working with children with disabilities at her previous job at Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association (NISRA). There, she provided summer camp and club activities for children who would not otherwise be able to participate with typically developing peers. Her favorite part of being a speech-language pathologist is the opportunity to collaborate with children and their families to create an individualized plan to improve communication skills. Megan supports many families by introducing and facilitating the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems including communication boards, low-tech devices like Big Mack buttons, and high-tech, speech generating devices including the systems of TD Snap, TouchChat, LAMP, and others.
Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. She returned to Western to complete her master’s degree in Speech Pathology. In addition to her major studies, Megan completed a minor in Spanish and worked in an Audiology Clinic as a student clinician. Through this, Megan has gained experience working with clients and families of various backgrounds and family dynamics. In her free time, Megan enjoys reading, painting, baking, and spending time with friends and family.