MEET JULIANNA
Julianna Shleifer, co-founder of Three Little Birds Therapy Services, is an ASHA certified and Maryland licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with 9 years of experience working with the pediatric population in both the school and private practice settings as a clinician, supervisor, and clinical mentor for graduate students and clinical fellows. Prior to founding Three Little Birds, Julianna served as the Director of Related Services at a non-public school for 5 years. She holds a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Towson University. Julianna has worked with children in a variety of capacities for over 15 years. She has dedicated the majority of her career to working with children from 18 months-21 years old who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, and language disorders. She also has extensive knowledge and training in working with children with complex communication needs and in the development and implementation of functional communication systems using augmentative and alternative communication. Julianna prides herself on working with the child’s family and multi-disciplinary team to treat the child from every unique angle. She strives to provide evidence-based, individualized treatment to help each child reach their greatest potential. She is passionate about helping children find their voice and develop a functional means of communication. Seeing a child communicate for the first time is the reason Julianna has found such a passion in her work. Every child deserves to be heard. When she’s not having fun with children in speech therapy sessions, Julianna enjoys spending time with her husband and three young daughters; their “three little birds.”
MEET CAITLIN
Caitlin Sprouse, co-founder of Three Little Birds Therapy Services, is a nationally certified and Maryland licensed occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience. She has worked in private practice and in school-based settings, holding both clinical and administrative roles. Prior to founding Three Little Birds, Caitlin was the Director of Outpatient Services for a therapy clinic for 7 years. She earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University, and her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from McDaniel College. Caitlin has over 20 years of experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders and other diagnoses in various capacities. She has advanced training in sensory processing and integration, and feeding disorders/difficulties. She holds the University of Southern California Sensory Integration Certification. She also has additional training in the areas of fine and gross motor, visual perceptual skills, reflex integration, and therapeutic yoga. It brings Caitlin great joy to work with the kids she serves and weave their therapy goals into the play that the child enjoys most- and watch the child’s pride and satisfaction as they learn to complete tasks that were once hard for them. She’s also passionate about collaborating with families and addressing goals that are of utmost importance to them. Mentoring teams of therapists has also become another of Caitlin’s joys as an occupational therapist over the years. When she’s not working, Caitlin loves enjoying the outdoors and going on little adventures with her husband and three young children- her “three little birds”.