Our Team - The Speech Space

Meet the Speech Space Team

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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 4 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.

Carly Steinberg, MS, OTR/L

Carly graduated with her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Towson University. She loves being an OT and establishing client-centered interventions to best serve and empower children and their families. Carly loves working with the pediatric population and is interested in fine motor development, grasp development, handwriting, self-regulation, social skills, sensory processing, and executive function skills. She has completed continuing education courses focused in the Handwriting Without Tears program. She is a DMV native and was born and raised in the MD suburbs of DC. Prior to her work in occupational therapy, Carly graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development from the University of Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, taking long walks, and spending time with family and friends.

Anya Lichter, MS, CCC-SLP, Lead Therapist

Anya graduated with her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Jackson State University. She has extensive experience working with children in a variety of settings, including the DC Strong Start early intervention program, DC charter schools, specialized schools, and private practices. Anya has a passion for working with the pediatric population and is particularly interested in motor-speech disorders, early language delays, autism spectrum disorder, and gestalt language processing. She believes that through a play-based therapy approach, children learn skills in the most meaningful way and become confident communicators. She is trained in Oral Placement Therapy, PROMPT, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, the Kaufman SLP approach, and is a recommended provider on Apraxia Kids. Anya is also recognized as a Natural Language Acquisition practitioner for gestalt language processing. Anya grew up in San Diego, California and has enjoyed living in the DMV area for over 6 years with her husband and two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and getting cozy with a good book.

Maggie Dimond, M.E.d, CCC-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.

Brianna James, MS, CF-SLP

Brianna earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Howard University and her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida in Tampa. With a background in education and a lifelong passion for working with children, Brianna is dedicated to providing compassionate, child-centered care. She specializes in working with the pediatric population and strongly believes in a child-led, play-based approach that supports each child’s unique strengths and interests. Brianna values open, ongoing collaboration with families and caregivers to ensure therapy is meaningful, functional, and tailored to each child’s needs. Originally from Winter Springs, Florida, Brianna now calls Silver Spring home. In her free time, she enjoys hot yoga, taking dance classes, and spending quality time with friends.

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 language delays, articulation difficulties, oral motor weaknesses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and children who stutter. Nadeen is trained in Oral Placement Therapy and has completed professional coursework on integrating myofunctional therapy principles into speech therapy sessions. 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 (“picky eaters”, not getting adequate nutrition, etc), and straw or open cup drinking. We work to strengthen and build awareness of children’s oral musculature through a variety of fun activities, such as whistles and bubbles. If there are feeding or drinking concerns, our speech therapists and occupational therapists work together to parse out and determine the underlying cause of feeding difficulties (i.e., oral motor weakness or sensory) and make a tailored plan for each child.

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.

Developmental Delays

Developmental delays refer to a child not achieving developmental milestones at expected age(s) and can impact any domain (e.g., motor skills, speech, language, cognitive abilities, or social-emotional development). Early intervention is crucial to help children catch up and reach their full potential!

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are what children need to use for activities such as holding a pencil or crayon, writing, self-feeding, eating with utensils, buttoning or zippering clothes, and using scissors– to name a few things! They are essential for everyday activities and developmental milestones and are also linked with visual-motor skills (hand-eye coordination).

Sensory Processing, Modulation, & Sensory Integration

Sensory processing difficulties can impact a child across any or all environments (home, school, playground, etc). This can look like sensitivity to loud noises or certain textures, and/or seeking out or avoiding input such as deep pressure or light touch. Our sensory gym has specialized equipment, tools, and toys to help children have fun while improving their ability to tolerate, make sense of, and have appropriate responses to sensory input.

Visual Motor, Perceptual Deficits, & Coordination

Visual motor deficits, or difficulties with visual-motor integration, involve a disconnect between what the eyes see and how the body responds with movement. Visual motor skills can include writing, drawing, reading, cutting, and visual memory.

Attention & Executive Functioning Skills

When children have weaknesses with their attention and/or executive functioning skills it can make every day routines and academics feel overwhelming and difficult. These areas can show up as difficulties with organizational skills, completing tasks, and transitioning from one activity to another.

Sensory-Based Feeding Concerns

Our speech therapists and occupational therapists work together to parse out and determine the underlying cause of feeding difficulties and make a tailored plan for each child. If the underlying issue for a child is sensory in nature, a play-based OT approach can be used to best support them to expand their diets. Moreover, if a child has difficulty with certain smells, textures or is not eating certain food groups (protein, fruit, vegetable, etc) then this could be further indication of a sensory based difficulty and OT can help with this!

Social & Play Skills

Most people assume social and play skills are most related to speech therapy, but occupational therapy has a role to play when children have weaknesses in these areas too! Occupational therapy can help with the underlying causes of why children are having difficulty with things like imaginative play and flexible thinking or challenges with social participation and interacting with peers.

Self-Regulation

Some children have difficulty managing their emotional reactions, maintaining their attention, and adjusting their energy level to match the current or on-going activity (e.g., calming down or increasing energy for maximal participation in activities). When this happens it often indicates difficulty with self-regulation skills. Self-regulation interventions can help children stay focused or on task, wait for turns, manage frustrations during complex tasks, and be able to persist through challenging tasks.

​​Meet the Speech Space Team