About Us
Meredith Bandish, M.A., CCC-SLP, Owner
Meredith is a graduate of Villanova University (2003), with a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Education. She earned her Master of Arts from West Chester University (2006) in Communicative Disorders. Meredith has extensive experience working with children with Autism in home and school settings. She was the lead Speech-Language Pathologist for two Verbal Behavior classrooms, responsible for program design, implementation and parent and staff trainings. She is a PROMPT trained therapist (Completed Bridging Level) and utilizes principles of motor- learning and DTTC techniques in therapy with children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and other motor-speech impairments. In addition, she holds certificates from Pyramid Education Consultants for PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), and is trained in the SCERTS model, and Lively Letters (TM).
Meredith holds current licensure from the State of Connecticut, the CT Department of Education, and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. She is passionate about helping children become functional communicators.
Meredith has presented workshops on Early Language Development in Preschoolers for the Farmington Community Preschool Meeting, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, The Southington YMCA Learning Center and the School for Young Children at St. Joseph's College.
Meredith lives in Southington with her husband, son and daughter, 2 dogs and cat. She loves to cook and enjoys gardening, and spending time with her family at the beach.
Danielle Morek, M.S., CCC-SLP
Danielle graduated from University of Connecticut with a Bachelors Degree in Communication Disorders. Danielle then worked in Waterbury Public Schools as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant for 18 months. She received her Masters Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Speech Language Pathology in 2011. During her graduate work, she worked for a Birth to Three agency as an interventionist working specifically with children that had a diagnosis of Autism. Danielle is currently licensed under the State of Connecticut, American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and Connecticut Department of Education.
Danielle has several years of experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum, Down’s Syndrome, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, multiple disabilities, articulation, phonological impairments, and expressive/receptive language disorders in the school setting. Danielle has certification in PROMPT and has also been certified to administer the ADOS. Danielle has experience using various AAC devices and PECS. Danielle is currently the Lead Clinician for her school district’s speech and language department and was recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2017-18 school year.
Danielle lives in Bristol, CT.
She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, staying active, traveling, and volunteering. Danielle strives to make a difference in the lives of both the individuals she works with and those closest to them.
Stephanie Gawel, M.S., CCC-SLP
Stephanie graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2013. She then began working for Meriden Public Schools in the elementary setting. She was the primary speech therapist for the districts STARS special education program. While working for MPS she gained experience with language and literacy disorders, phonological and articulation disorders, Apraxia and Autism. She had to opportunity to work closely with related services providers such as occupational therapist and behavior analysts to promote consistency, generalization and carryover of communication skills across environments.
Stephanie began working at Communication Foundations in 2015 after her first child was born. In 2017 she returned to the public school setting and began working for ACES Village School. In her role as a speech language pathologist for children with multiple and profound disabilities she has the opportunity to work with a variety of alternative and augmentative communication systems including eye gaze devices, various communication applications, picture and object communication, and core words. Stephanie continues to be inspired by the spirit and desire to communicate in her students and strives to provide them with functional communication skills so they can engage with their peers and families in meaningful ways.
Stephanie has several years of experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum, Down’s Syndrome, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, multiple disabilities, articulation, phonological impairments, and expressive/receptive language disorders in the school and private setting. Stephanie has certification in Picture Exchange Communication system and is currently licensed under the State of Connecticut, American Speech-Language Hearing Association, and Connecticut Department of Education.