Speech Language Pathologist

Tara Boettcher, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist/Owner

Ms. Tara graduated in 1994 from Truman State University (formerly known as Northeast Missouri State University) with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Psychology. In 1996, she graduated with top honors from the University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology. Ms. Tara is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed by the state of Texas. She specializes in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of all types of communication disorders and swallowing/feeding disorders. Although verbal communication is usually a goal, she utilizes a Total Communication approach to treatments including: use of visual cueing systems, Sign Language, and Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods. Ultimately, the goal of ALL treatment is: COMMUNICATION, HYDRATION, NUTRITION, SOCIAL INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP, SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-CONTROL (REGULATION), and SELF-ACCEPTANCE.

Ms. Tara has worked as an SLP for 30 years with patients ranging from infants to geriatrics. Ms. Tara has worked in hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Pediatric Home Health, Early Childhood Developmental Centers, Public Schools in Washington state and Texas, and public Charter schools including a charter school specializing in education with Hearing Impaired and Deaf students. In 2006, she founded her private practice, Speech Language & Learning Services, as there were not enough SLP's in private practice to adequately serve her community.

Ms. Tara is a mother of three confident, productive young adult men. Her adult children collectively managed life with the following diagnoses and symptoms: ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, Speech Apraxia, Dyslexia symptoms, Dysgraphia, Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorders, and Sleep Disturbances. She has experience sitting on both sides of ARD/IEP meetings as well as 504 plan meetings which allows her to have a unique perspective when working with families navigating life with special needs.

Although all three of her adult children deal with ADHD, they are all unique with different talents including excelling in art, math, science, history, video gaming, music, auto mechanics, electronics, and athletics (soccer is the favorite sport!) Her youngest son has experienced three concussions and numerous muscular injuries while competing in his athletics. Ms. Tara learned how to assess and manage those injuries, so her son could continue to safely participate in the sports that he loves.

In her quest for healing in her own family, Ms. Tara expanded her clinical knowledge to include:

Kinesiology principles and application to muscular tension and inflammation, neuromuscular tone and functional irregularities including oral/facial/laryngeal weakness. Ms. Tara is certified in the Ampcare Effective Swallowing Protocol (ESP) using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) to treat Swallowing and oral/facial disorders. This is the only FDA approved system and program which uses NMES for swallowing disorders.
Principles of Myofascial Release and its application to speech production disorders, Dysphagia (swallowing disorders), Voice disorders, and Fluency disorders when muscular function is an underlying cause or contributing factor.
Alternative Sensory Integration treatments, becoming an Authorized Dealer for The Listening Program® from Advanced Brain Technologies.
Ms. Tara enjoys yoga classes, bringing principles of calming the mind and body to her patients for improvement in sustained focus and attention.
Holistic treatments using therapeutic grade essential oils and aroma therapy which enhances the therapy environment, patient responses, and tolerance for treatment activities. Ms. Tara is a member of Young Living Essential Oils and is a knowledgeable resource in specific oils which may be helpful with the conditions our patients present.

When not at the office, Ms. Tara is busy training our future therapy dogs, Ellie and Eli, as well as caring for her two senior dogs Atom and Ahsoka. She commits to regular exercise routines weekly including kickboxing, yoga, and group fitness classes. She is an active, faithful member of her Christian church community, and she advocates for intentional building of Mind, Body, and Spirit.

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