Andrea began her academic career at Montclair State graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a dual degree in Psychology in 1992. She completed her Master of Science at Teacher’s College, Columbia University in 1994.
Andrea considers herself fortunate to have had amazing mentors, opportunities, and flexibility, affording her a diversified experience across various settings and an array of disorders. Throughout her career and working in collaboration with other disciplines, she developed an awareness of the importance of looking systemically at the individual. Every system is vital when tailoring a customized approach based on the unique needs of each child. Mindful that humans are complex and require an organized internal state is a focus of therapy and a building block to progress.
She began her career in a center based early intervention center and preschool program, where she immediately became instrumental in establishing a feeding program. The program was a push in model with all disciplines available to treat, and her love of working as a team was ignited. She became experienced with craniofacial disorders, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, rare genetic disorders, AAC, and dysphagia. After a pause in her career, she returned to her chosen profession in early intervention. As she had experience with multiply disabled, medically fragile, motor, and sensory disorders, she immediately was assigned children requiring feeding therapy. She had found her passion.
She worked in several center-based programs where she was the feeding specialist as well as assigned to the preschool, early learners, and children with multiple disorders. Getting children ready to accept information and interaction was a priority, especially for our youngest students. The medical needs of the children increased with subsequent changes as she moved into more medical facilities.
During her career she has continued her education taking courses in areas of oral motor, feeding, AAC, yoga, and releases for mobilization. Some of her training includes: PROMPT; S.O.S. Feeding; Get Ready to Learn – Anne Buckley Reen; Interactive Metronome; as well as courses presented by Julie Huffman, Debra Beckman, Linda Burkhart, Lori Overland, Robin Merkel-Walsh, and many other talented professionals. She has provided training and consulted for feeding therapy in schools. Andrea is actively involved in the dietary needs of her patients, addressing GI or ENT related issues, denta I, postural, as well as the sensory needs of the child.
When not working, she enjoys spending time with her six amazing children and her supportive and loving husband. As her oldest son once said, “home is never boring”.