Welcome
Speech, Language & Learning Center, Inc. was originally established in 1992 as Jefferson Speech and Language Center of St. Tammany. Since its inception, the business was exclusively located in the Mandeville area. We launched our Slidell Branch in 2017 to assist the growing needs of children in the eastern part of St. Tammany Parish. SLLC employs Masters leveled Speech-Language Pathologists who hold Louisiana Licenses and are nationally certified from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. We are philosophically committed to the patient’s total communication and learning needs through family involvement, coordination of school and professionals, counseling and referral for associated services where indicated.
In treating the child, we emphasize earliest possible intervention, as the most critical age for speech and language development extends from birth to three years. The more sophisticated skills of reading, writing and math build on this already established system. Reading comprehension is a secondary language skill that has phonetic, grammar, semantic and memory components. If secondary learning (Reading, Writing, and Math) do not proceed satisfactorily, then the language system should be examined. Research and clinical experience overwhelmingly demonstrate that intervention and remediation at a young age contribute to a child reaching his/her full potential.
Our Team
Mandeville Office
Dawn V. Skinner, M.A., CCC-SLP
DirectorDawn has been working with children displaying various types of communication disorders for over 35 years. As an LSU graduate, she received a B.S. in Education in 1985 and a M.A. in Communication Disorders in 1987. She specializes in early intervention, language and developmental delays, and phonological disorders in children. She also enjoys helping school age children learn how to read using various approaches including "Lively Letters"(Nancy Allemian Telian, M.S., CCC/SLP and Penny Alemian Castagnozzi) and "Communicative Reading Strategies" (Janet Norris, Ph.D., CCC/SLP). Her passion is assisting parents with how to implement strategies learned in therapy into the home and social settings. When not at the
office, Dawn loves hanging out with her husband, traveling to visit her 3 boys and 2 precious grandsons, going to mass, walking or hiking, and playing pickleball.
Freddy G. Tisdale, M.A., CCC-SLPFreddy has over 25 years of experience working in a variety of settings such as Ochsner Clinic of
Baton Rouge, St. Tammany Parish School System, Early Steps of Louisiana, and private practice. She has been a valued member of our team for 20 years. Freddy received her degrees (B. A. in 1995 and M. A. in 1997) from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She specializes in phonological disorders, early intervention, and language disorders. Freddy’s love for children and rapport with parents has been a priceless asset for SLLC! In her spare time, Freddy enjoys being with her husband and 3 girls, going to LSU football games, traveling and playing mahjong.
Lauren S. Maestri, M.S., CCC-SLP
Lauren Maestri is a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist with a variety of clinical experience.
She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in Communication Disorders in 2012, and received her Master’s degree in 2014 from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has obtained clinical experience from the St. Tammany Parish School system, Neurological Rehabilitation Living Centers, and St. Tammany Parish Hospital Outpatient Center. She is passionate about early intervention and school age articulation and language. Her caring personality, flexibility and creativity have assisted many children during their communicative rehabilitation. She has been a cherished member of our team for over 6 years.
Gretchen S. Bourgeois, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Gretchen is a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist with experience in private practice, the St. Tammany Parish school system, as well as a rehabilitation hospital. She graduated with a B.A. in Communicative Disorders from The University of Mississippi in 2001. She then received her
Master’s degree in 2003 from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Being a respected and valuable member of our team for 8 years, Gretchen specializes in language and articulation disorders. Her compassionate and enthusiastic nature is a successful tool when helping children reach their communication goals! Outside of work, Gretchen enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 boys, watching sporting events, cooking, and traveling to the beach!
Kathryn D. Chetta MCD, CCC-SLP
Kathryn is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and a graduate of Louisiana State University where she earned a B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2015 and an M.C.D. in Communication Disorders from LSU Health Sciences Center in 2017. She has a wide range of experience from working in skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, and the St. Tammany Parish Public School System, serving individuals with diverse communication, cognitive, and swallowing needs. Her true passion is supporting young children and their families during critical development stages through early intervention. She is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based therapy that empowers children to reach their fullest potential. Kathryn is happily married and the proud mom of three wonderful kids. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and getting lost in a good book.
Melissa Grand, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Melissa has provided speech and language therapy services in a variety of setting, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health, schools, and private practice. She received a B.A. from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1992 and a Masters of Communications Disorders from LSU School of Allied Health in 1993. Having worked with clients of all ages, she enjoys creating fun, meaningful therapy through play, games, and literacy-based activities while collaborating with families and educators to support lasting communication success. In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and taking advantage of outdoor activities.
Sharon Chapman, M.Ed., L-SLP
Sharon has worked with children with speech language disorders for over 40 years. She received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Southeastern Louisiana University in both Elementary Education and Speech Pathology. In 2021, she retired from St. Tammany Parish school system where she worked as both a classroom teacher and Speech-Language Pathologist. She enjoys working with school-age children who have articulation and language delays. Sharon has good rapport with both her clients and their parents. Outside of work, Sharon enjoys working in her vegetable and flower gardens and traveling.
Sara Laurence, M.Ed., L-SLP
Sara has been a Speech Therapist for over 40 years. She has experience in the public school system as well as in a private practice clinic. Sara enjoys working with school-aged children, specializing in articulation and language development. During her career in the public school system, she has made a lasting impact on countless children, families and educators through her compassionate care and unwavering commitment. She has continued her work at our Center, bringing the same experience and dedication to her clients, being a trusted advocate for communication, growth and helping others find their voice. Over the course of her career, Sara has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many and has built a lasting legacy in her community. When not working, Sara enjoys hanging out with her precious puppy and traveling to explore various countries.
Alexis Drobner, M.S., L-SLP, CCC-SLP
Alexis is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and graduate from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she earned her B. S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021 and her M.S. in Communication and Sciences Disorders in 2023. She currently works full-time in the public school system, serving students from Pre-K through High school. She is passionate about helping children build confidence through communication and strives to create meaningful, individualized therapy experiences that support each child’s growth and success. Outside of work, Alexis enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and fur babies, staying active outdoors, reading and discovering new coffee shops in the community.
Alison Killebrew, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Alison is a Speech-Language Pathologist with 9 years of experience serving both the pediatric and adult populations in a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient clinic, early steps and private practice. She received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from LSU in 2015 and her Master of Communication Disorders from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 2017. She has a broad range of experience working with individuals with language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, dysphagia, early intervention, social communication disorders, and augmentative alternative communication needs. She is deeply committed to empowering children and their families and finds great reward in the increased confidence that follows a child’s communicative growth. She values building great relationships with each child and family that she serves. Outside of her clinical practice, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children traveling and spending time outdoors.
Geneal Walters, M. Ed., CCC-SLP
Geneal has over 37 years of experience working in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Her experience and specialties in speech and language related disturbances or delays includes: neurogenic disorders, dysphagia, articulation and phonological disorders, voice disorders, motor speech disorders, early intervention and language disorders. She earned a B.A. in 1988 and her graduate degree in 1994 from Southeastern Louisiana University. While she is comfortable working with a variety of ages, Geneal has focused on the pediatric population for over 23 years. In her spare time, Geneal enjoys reading and gardening.
Brittany McVey, M.S., CCC-SLP
Brittany McVey earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2014. Throughout her career, Brittany has treated a wide range of communication disorders, including receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders, dysphagia, and cognitive-communication deficits. She has experience working in a variety of clinical settings and is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their communication and swallowing goals. Brittany is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based therapy that addresses each client’s unique strengths and needs. She values building strong relationships with clients and families and strives to create a supportive, engaging environment that fosters growth, confidence, and meaningful progress in everyday communication and overall quality of life.
Gina Sellers, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Gina is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with more than 20 years of experience serving individuals across a variety of settings, including rehabilitation, public schools and private practice. She earned her B. A. in Communication Disorders from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1994 and her Master of Communication Disorders from the LSU School of Allied Health in 1995. Gina is dedicated to helping children of all ages strengthen their communication skills and become confident in their ability to communicate. Her clinical expertise includes the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, and fluency disorders. She utilizes evidence-based practices and develops individualized treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and needs. Known for her compassionate, child-centered approach, Gina strives to create a supportive and encouraging environment that promotes meaningful progress, lasting outcomes, and an improved quality of life for every child she serves.