We are a Pediatric and Adult Speech Therapy and Audiology practice. We are dedicated to helping children and adults successfully improve their hearing, feeding, speech and language challenges. The ability to communicate effectively is critical and is the foundation for relationships with other people. In children it is the primary tool for learning and a key to a successful education. The first five years of life are an extremely crucial time in children's development; therefore, early intervention services are crucial for children with speech and language delays.
In Adults acquired or progressive disorders of communication can be devastating. Whether the loss of communication is from a stroke (CVA) or brain injury (TBI), or deteriorates slowly due to a progressive disease (Parkinson’s disease), there is always a major impact on the life of the individual and those around them. However, there are many strategies and therapies that can make communication easier for individuals and their loved ones.
If you are concerned about your loved ones feeding skills, their ability to make themselves understood (articulate sounds/words), the way they express themselves verbally, their ability to follow directions and/or their understanding of what's said to them, don't hesitate to contact us at Small Talk Therapy.
We are a Pediatric and Adult Speech Therapy and Audiology practice. We are dedicated to helping children and adults successfully improve their hearing, feeding, speech and language challenges. The ability to communicate effectively is critical and is the foundation for relationships with other people. In children it is the primary tool for learning and a key to a successful education. The first five years of life are an extremely crucial time in children's development; therefore, early intervention services are crucial for children with speech and language delays.
In Adults acquired or progressive disorders of communication can be devastating. Whether the loss of communication is from a stroke (CVA) or brain injury (TBI), or deteriorates slowly due to a progressive disease (Parkinson’s disease), there is always a major impact on the life of the individual and those around them. However, there are many strategies and therapies that can make communication easier for individuals and their loved ones.
If you are concerned about your loved ones feeding skills, their ability to make themselves understood (articulate sounds/words), the way they express themselves verbally, their ability to follow directions and/or their understanding of what's said to them, don't hesitate to contact us at Small Talk Therapy.
Our Team
Small Talk Therapy is a diverse team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and hearing aid dispensers, and child development specialists.
Founders
Summer Baker
M.S. / CCC-SLP
Summer Baker is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder and CEO of Small Talk Therapy, Inc. In 2015 Summer opened Small Talk Therapy as a minority woman owned Business. Small Talk Therapy is a rehabilitation center that provides speech therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, physical therapy, child developmental services, socialization groups, and audiological services. In 2021 Summer opened a second Small Talk Therapy location.
Summer has been practicing speech therapy since 2005. She is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Summer attended CSU-Fresno for her Bachelor of Science degree and CSU-Northridge for her master’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders. She works with patients across the lifespan. Summer has had success in treating individuals with disabilities and delays including, Autism, late-talkers, Specific Language Impairments, Dysphagia, Aphasia, Articulation and Phonological disorders, Stuttering, Pragmatic and Social delays, and Verbal Apraxia of Speech. Summer is trained in PECs implementation, is a pediatric feeding therapist with SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Certifications and Feed the Peds certification.
Before Small Talk Therapy, Summer worked for 16 years in the public-school setting on a multi-disciplinary team where she provided assessments and direct therapy to children.
Stephen Baker
M.S. / CCC-SLP
Stephen has been practicing speech therapy since 2013. He is a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). He attended
California State University- Northridge for both his bachelor’s in Business
Administration and his master’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Currently, Stephen provides speech/language services in private practice,
hospital, and public school settings. He has experience with working on multi-disciplinary teams where he has provided assessments and direct therapy to children. He has worked in birth to 3, elementary, middle school, and clinical settings. He has worked with children with various disabilities including autism, speech/language impairments, fluency/stuttering, hearing impairments, and other health impairments. Stephen has had success in treating individuals with disabilities and delays including, Autism, late-talkers, Specific Language Impairments, Articulation and Phonological disorders, Stuttering, Pragmatic and
Social delays, and Verbal Apraxia of Speech. In Stephen’s private practice he services the populations of birth to adult. In the hospital setting, Stephen provides diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing impairments in adults secondary to a variety of disorders including CVA, traumatic brain injury, degenerative neurological diseases, head and neck cancer, and encephalopathy.
Audiologists and
Hearing Aid Dispensers
Jamie Ross
Au.D. / CCC-A
Dr. Jamie Ross received her Doctorate degree from A.T.Still University Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Az in 2004. She received her Masters degree from California State University, Northridge in 1987 and her undergraduate degree is in Communicative Disorders. Dr. Ross holds certifications of Clinical Competence from American Speech and Hearing Association and American Academy of Audiology. She is licensed by the state in Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing. Her professional affiliations include American Academy of Audiology, American Speech and Hearing Association and Educational Audiologist Association. She has practiced Audiology for the past 26 years as an Educational Audiologist for Palmdale School District and Los Angeles County Office of Education. She has also practiced privately testing children and Veterans for the past 12 years in the Antelope Valley.
Darrell Duncan
A.S. / Hearing Aid Dispenser
Darrell received his state license in Hearing Aid Dispensing from the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in 2018. Darrell has volunteered and studied at a local hearing aid company in the months leading up to and after obtaining his license. Prior to joining the field of hearing aids, Darrell earned an Associate Degrees of Science, Cum Laude, at Antelope Valley College. In addition, Darrell has studied and learned American Sign Language to help facilitate communication for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
In his free time Darrell enjoys all video games and watching Japanese Anime.
Admins
Shannon Fox
Office Manager - Lancaster
Shannon Fox is the office manager for Small Talk Therapy. She brings over seven years of administration experience in office management, human resources, and accounting. Shannon assists in the development and implementation of company policies and procedures; manages and oversees the administration of HR policies, programs and practices. Prior to joining the Small Talk Therapy team, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. Before that Shannon worked within the public education system for 23 years and the majority of those years were in special education.
In Shannon's spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, exercising, reading and spending time with her family & fur babies.
Hector Salinas
Office Manager - SCV
Hector is our Administrative Assistant in the Santa Clarita clinic. He is a Surgical Technologist with a background in healthcare claims management. He comes to Small Talk Therapy after having spent 7 years as a stay-at-home dad raising his daughter and son alongside his wife. Hector’s an avid distance runner and cyclist enthusiast. In his free time he enjoys recreational activities with his family.
Cassandra Watts
Front Office Receptionist
Cassandra has been working in customer service/admin work for the last 15 years. Doing multiple different job types; customer service, date entry, medical insurance, paralegal, and administrative assistant. She was able to be a stay-at-home mom to her two young children for 5 years. Her latest job is with Pediatric Therapy of Santa Clarita as the Administrative Assistant. Her favorite part working at a pediatric therapy facility is being able to interact with the children and parents, and to see them grow. It's truly rewarding to be a part of a company that feels like family. When Cassandra is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, reading, and going to the beach.
Our Team
In Action
