Sadia Akhtar
Summary
Dedicated 5+ years of experience as a clinician, business owner, researcher, writer, coach, and student mentor. Marked by providing evidence-based care to families and people with disabilities to increase access to education, healthcare, and functional independence.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
FOUNDER @
Love Language Therapy
03.2020 - Current
- Fostered relationships with healthcare companies and non-profit organizations (e.g., Lingraphica, Penn Medicine, AbleNet, Bubulearn, Learning Tree PPEC, Eden Autism, Down Syndrome Association) to provide assistive technology and communication training, consultations, and educational programming.
- Deliver community-based and telemedicine evaluations, intervention, and group programs for infants, children, and adults through speech-language therapy, feeding/swallowing therapy, early intervention, lactation consulting, and prenatal planning.
- Yield online revenue through product creation and distribution of SLP-related art, memorabilia, and therapy materials.
- For more information, visit: lovelanguagetherapy.com.
TEAM LEAD / CLINICAL SUPERVISOR @
San Diego/San Andreas Regional Center
06.2022 - 06.2023
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary specialists through team-based screenings, comprehensive evaluations, and consultations to assess at-risk and developmentally delayed children and adolescents ranging from birth-18 years of age.
- Utilize hands-on, family focused approach in service-delivery to increase caregiver understanding of strengths/needs and maximize skill acquisition.
- Plan and implement remediation programs consistent with the IFSP/IPP within the context of the funding source, sound clinical practice, and family resources available.
- Assist in case management, report writing/proofreading, and meeting preparation for presenting cases to county agencies at roundtable discussions for regional services given established deadlines.
- Supervise, support, and provide training to team members who work with caseload ranging from birth-18 years of age.
CASE MANAGER @
Paulding County School District
08.2021 - 01.2022
- Partnered with interdisciplinary team and sales consultants to complete assistive technology equipment loans, device demonstrations, and assessments for children and adults.
- Ensured referral sources for at-risk populations receive appropriate and timely follow-up communications regarding their planning and programming.
- Established and maintained effective working relationships with families, as well as internal and external healthcare providers and educational team professionals.
LEAD SPEECH THERAPIST @
First Step Therapy
07.2020 - 08.2021
- Built patient caseload from the ground up at a multidisciplinary rehab through: business branding, marketing, creation of special programs, pro-bono clinical work, as well as networking with local and statewide organizations.
- Effectively used analytical skills to evaluate problems, develop alternative solutions, and identify utilization trends and patterns related to patient care.
- Managed resources within budget using business acumen to maximize health benefits, patient and employee satisfaction, cost-effectiveness, and viability.
- Created and authored monthly newsletter to increase engagement, outreach, referrals, and revenue of rehab.
CLINICAL FELLOW @
Soliant Health
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Served on an interdisciplinary team to strategize and develop plan of care, coordinate transition planning, and determine eligibility.
- Skilled in troubleshooting problems related to assistive technology equipment loans, telemedicine, and clinical cases.
- Created and collaborated in district special programs/projects to increase engagement and camaraderie.
SLPA @
The Down Syndrome Foundation Of Florida
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Treated infants, toddlers, and school-aged populations through individual and group therapy focused on: language, social skills, and assistive technology equipment loans/trials.
Skills
Clinical Specialties:
Individual/Group Therapy Caregiver Training Speech, Language, & Cognitive Therapy Feeding & Swallowing AAC Aural Rehab Reading, Writing, & Learning Disorders
Methodologies:
Play-Based Functional Outcomes Culturally Sensitive Materials Trauma-Informed Practice
Analytics:
Data Collection & Reporting Statistical Analysis Letters of Medical Necessity Progress Monitoring
Leadership & Management:
Program Planning Pro-Bono Consulting Public Speaking Marketing In-Service Presentations Clinical Staff Training Creativity Autonomy Compassion Detail-Oriented
Certification
- Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in New Jersey & Florida
- Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImp) Clinician
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Level 2 Trained
- Lingraphica Certified Technology Specialist
- International Board of Lactation Examiners (IBCLE) Breastfeeding Trained
- Professional Crisis Management (PCM) Trained
- Support Group Facilitator Trained
- NJ Medicaid/Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Provider
- NJDOE Speech-Language Specialist
- Other: Gender-Affirming (Transgender) Voice Therapy, Clinical Supervision, CPR/First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector Administration
Languages
English, Urdu, & Hindi
Native or Bilingual
American Sign Language
Professional Working
Spanish & Arabic
Limited Working
Affiliations
- Alzheimer's New Jersey: Caregiver Support Group Facilitator
- CareerVillage.org: Student Mentor
- ASHA Special Interest Group: Cultural & Linguistic Diversity
Research & Teaching
Dept. of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Central Florida, October 2018 - December 2019
- Independent Researcher studying “South Asian Caregiver Perspectives on Speech & Language Services for Individuals with Acquired Neurogenic Disorders”
- Presenter at 2019 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Annual Convention.
- Teaching Assistant for undergraduate courses including: Communication Disorders in Literature & Media, and Disabilities in American Society.
Dept. of Speech & Hearing Science, Arizona State University, August 2016 - May 2017
- Research Assistant awarded federal grant to complete specialized clinical training to improve identification and learning outcomes of culturally and linguistically diverse children, including: Latino, American Indian, and Somalian refugee status.
- Clinical Rotations: Lowell Elementary School, Educare Arizona Headstart Program, ASU Pediatric Communication Clinic.
School of Communication Disorders & Deafness, Kean University, September 2015 - May 2016
- Research Assistant studying “Effects of Neuroauditory Training Targeted to the Non-Dominant Ear in People with Aphasia”.
School of General Studies, Kean University, May 2015 - May 2016
- Teaching Assistant for undergraduate course Transition to Kean and one-on-one peer mentor to first-year students.
RESEARCH INTERESTS: Health literacy, multicultural populations, caregiver burden, hearing loss, language and cognition, clinician burn-out and advocacy, caregiver training, comorbid conditions, & social-emotional implications.
Education
December 2019
Master of Arts in Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL
- Pediatric Rotations: BrightStart Pediatrics PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care)
- Mixed Rotations: UCF Disorders Clinic at UCF, AdventHealth Hospital, Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) Center
- Geriatric Rotations: Brain Fitness Academy, Aphasia House, Share the Care Adult Daycare
May 2016
Bachelor of Arts, Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, Kean University - Union, NJ
- Double Minors in American Sign Language & Psychology
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude
- Honoree of Lambda Alpha Sigma Honors Society
- Elected President of Kappa Delta Pi, Intl. Honors Society of Education
- Awarded Platinum Leadership Certificate
- Recipient of '15-'16 Phillips Van Heusen Corporation Scholarship
Timeline
TEAM LEAD / CLINICAL SUPERVISOR @
San Diego/San Andreas Regional Center
06.2022 - 06.2023
CASE MANAGER @
Paulding County School District
08.2021 - 01.2022
LEAD SPEECH THERAPIST @
First Step Therapy
07.2020 - 08.2021
FOUNDER @
Love Language Therapy
03.2020 - Current
CLINICAL FELLOW @
Soliant Health
01.2020 - 07.2020
SLPA @
The Down Syndrome Foundation Of Florida
01.2018 - 12.2019
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