Meet the Speech Space Team
Megan C. Littlepage, MS, CCC-SLP, Co-Owner
Megan graduated with her Masters in Communication Disorders from University of Texas at Dallas. She has worked in public schools, along with DC charter schools and private clients in the home, school, daycare and clinical settings. Megan specializes in oral-motor therapy, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), feeding, and language delays in children from 12 months to 5 years old and has experience working with a variety of children who exhibit speech and/or language disorders, apraxia, motor planning delays, and oral motor weaknesses. She is trained in PROMPT, Oral Placement Therapy, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, SOS Approach to Feeding, the Kaufman SLP approach, and is a recommended provider on Apraxia Kids. Megan incorporates functional play into her sessions, giving feedback on why each skill in important. Megan believes that open and frequent communication with families is an integral part of working with young children and encourages active participation from family members of the children she works with. Megan lives in NW DC with her husband, daughter, son, and french bulldog. In her free time, she enjoys practicing yoga, exploring DC, reading, eating cookies, and traveling.
Monica T. Phillips, M.E.d, CCC-SLP, Co-Owner
Monica graduated with her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She specializes in working with young children (6 months to 5 years of age) and prefers a play-based approach, as it is vital for kids to have fun in order to learn and make progress! Monica has a passion for working with children who exhibit delays in speech and language development, feeding, oral motor weaknesses, difficulties with language organization, delays with social and problem solving skills, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). She is trained in PROMPT, Oral Placement Therapy, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, SOS Approach to Feeding, the Kaufman SLP approach, and is a recommended provider on Apraxia Kids. She has experience working within DC schools, as well as, working with private clients in their homes, daycares and schools. Monica grew up in south Florida, but has enjoyed living in DC since graduation, despite the cold winters! When not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband daughter, and son (especially to warm locales!), binge watching TV shows, and seeking out new restaurants to share meals with friends.
Juliana Bonilla MS, OTR/L
Juliana earned her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Puget Sound. Juliana loves being an OT and connecting with children to help them feel confident and happy in every day life. Juliana is a firm believer in neuro diversity affirming practices and believes that each child is unique and it is our job as adults to help those unique qualities shine. Juliana has experience in early intervention, sensory integration therapy, primitive reflex integration therapy, feeding therapy, aquatic therapy, social skills, and handwriting. She has completed multiple continuing education courses in these areas including Handwriting Without Tears, the SOS Approach to Feeding, Brain and Sensory Foundations for Primitive Reflex Integration, Swim Angelfish Aquatic Therapy Education, Integrated Listening System (iLs) Certification Course, The Star Institute Sensory Integration Mentorship Intensive, and various other courses related to sensory integration and sensory processing. Juliana also has experience working with children utilizing the DIR-Floortime approach. Additionally Juliana has a passion for, and specialized training in, teaching yoga to children with special needs. She has completed several yoga trainings including: Integrative Movement Therapy for Children training, YoKids teacher training for children, and her 200-hour Yoga Alliance yoga teacher training. Prior to becoming an occupational therapist, Juliana worked as a researcher in Hawaii collecting behavioral data on humpback whales. Juliana lives in Arlington, VA with her husband, daughter, and dog. Juliana loves spending time outdoors with her family hiking, exploring new playgrounds with her daughter, and swimming in the summer.
Anya Lichter, MS, CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist
Anya graduated with her Masters in Communicative Disorders from Jackson State University in Mississippi. After graduate school, she worked for the DC Strong Start Early Intervention Program, in a DC charter school, and in a private practice. She loves working with the pediatric population and is interested in early language development, autism spectrum disorder, speech sound disorders, pre-literacy skills, social communication skills, receptive-expressive language delays, and and motor speech delays. She is trained in PROMPT, Oral Placement Therapy, and the Kaufman SLP approach. Anya believes that through a play-based therapy approach, children have fun and become more confident in their communication skills and families become empowered to facilitate their children’s progress across different settings. Anya grew up in San Diego, California, and has now lived in DC for over 3 years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and exploring new dog parks with her labradoodle, Ellie.
Maggie Dimond, MS, CF-SLP
Maggie graduated with her Master’s degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s of science in communication sciences and disorders from James Madison University in Virginia. She is originally from the DC area, and attended high school just down the street at Georgetown Visitation! Maggie has always loved working with children and is interested in ASD, augmented and alternative communication, early language skills, and articulation. She believes in using a child and family centered approach, as well as a play-based approach in treatment because she believes that children learn best when they are in an exciting, engaging, and fun environment! During her free time, Maggie enjoys trying new restaurants with friends, spending time with her family, running, and being outdoors!
Brianna Bruny, MS, CCC-SLP
Brianna graduated with her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from The George Washington University. She loves working with the pediatric population and is interested in augmented and alternative communication, language and literacy, and social communication skills. Prior to her work in speech pathology, Brianna graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bryant University and worked with athletes at Special Olympics Rhode Island. She believes in a fun and energetic play-based approach to treatment to allow children to learn new skills and express themselves! Brianna grew up in Miami, Florida and has lived in Arlington since 2020. In her free time, she enjoys reading, recreational team sports, and traveling.
Nadeen Rollins, MS, CCC-SLP
Nadeen graduated with her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology from The George Washington University. She is passionate about serving the pediatric population, specifically working with children with articulation difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She believes in a child-and-family centered approach to treatment in order to prioritize a family’s individual needs and best support her clients. Nadeen grew up in New Jersey and attended the University of Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Speech Communication Disorders. While at UVA, she was a member and captain of the Virginia Dance Team, and after graduating, became an NBA dancer with the Washington Wizards. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with friends and family, competing in any game, spending time outside, and cheering on the Eagles!
Our Specialties
Speech & Articulation
Articulation refers to the way children produce sounds in words. We work with children who have delays or weaknesses in their acquisition and development of sounds due to developmental delays, oral-motor weaknesses, phonological processes and apraxia of speech.
Language Development
We help children with both expressive and receptive language, as well as language processing. Receptive language is the ability to understand what is being said and can include things like following directions or understanding questions, Expressive language is the ability to use language and includes things like grammar, vocabulary and answering questions. Language processing is the ability to understand and use vocabulary, grammar & follow directions seamlessly when the burden of language is on a person. Weaknesses in these domains of language can occur due to a variety of diagnoses, such as, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays and language processing disorder.
Oral Motor & Feeding
Children with oral-motor weaknesses often have difficulties with their articulation development, as well as with feeding and eating (“picky eaters”, not getting adequate nutrition, etc). We work to strengthen and build awareness of children’s oral musculature through a variety of activities, such as whistles, bubbles, or feeding and drinking activities.
Social Skills & Play
Play is the foundation of critical thinking and problem solving. We help children navigate their social and play environments with peers by working on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Difficulties with social skills and critical-thinking skills can stem from a variety of underlying reasons, including weaknesses in attention, foundational language skills and other diagnoses.