Meet The Clinician

Laura Cárdenas, MS-SLP, TSSLD

Experience

With over a decade of experience working with children, Laura is a dedicated speech-language pathologist specializing in bilingual (English and Spanish) therapy. She has honed her skills in various school settings across New York and Florida, providing both in-person and virtual care.

Laura’s expertise lies in assessing and treating a wide range of speech and language challenges, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oral Motor Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Literacy Disorders, and Social Language Disorders.

Driven by a passion for helping children reach their full potential, Laura founded Ideas Speech Therapy. Recognizing the challenges of long wait times and impersonal care offered by larger practices, she created a personalized approach focused on empowering families with the tools they need for success.

Laura is committed to providing exceptional care and support to her community.

Laura has also knowledge in the following areas:

Natural Language Acquisition Protocol (NLAP)

NLAP is a comprehensive approach to language intervention that is based on the principles of natural language development. 

Support Gestalt Language Development

Gestalt language development is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the importance of whole-child development and the role of the environment in shaping language development. 

DIR Floortime

DIR Floortime is a developmental intervention model that is based on the principles of Greenspan and Wieder's DIR model. Laura's knowledge of DIR Floortime would allow to engage children in child-led, relationship-based interactions, follow the child's lead and respond to their interests and cues.

Components of Motor Planning and Accommodation of Sensory Needs

Motor planning is the ability to plan and execute purposeful movements. Sensory processing is the way the body receives and interprets information from the senses. Knowing this important because it can help children develop the skills they need to succeed in everyday activities. For example, children with poor motor planning may have difficulty with foundational skills such as attention, alertness and engagement in activities which are basic to get the brain ready to learn. Children with sensory processing difficulties may have difficulty with tasks such as attending to schoolwork, tolerating noise, and eating different foods.

By understanding these areas, Laura can provide comprehensive and effective interventions to help children with complex communication needs reach their full potential.

Educational Background

Master in Speech and Language Pathology

Bachelor in communication sciences

Specialty in Audiology

Certifications

Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist—Florida and New York State.

Permanent teacher certificate in the area of Speech and Language Disabilities —Florida and New York State.

Prompts for restructuring oral muscular phonetic targets (PrOMPT) Level 1

Kaufman speech and language protocol training

Certification in providing Simon Says Oromyofunctional programs

CPR/AED Certified—Red Cross  

Early Intervention professional