Meet Our Team at Infinity Kids
Speech and Language Therapists
Speech and Language Pathologist /
Department Supervisor
Christian Prietto
Strengths: Proactive, Quality-Oriented, Dependable
Specialty Certifications: Certified ASD Clinical Specialist
Advanced Training: The Hanen Program, It Takes Two to Talk, Oral Myofunctional Therapy
As the Infinity Kids Speech Department head, I am passionate about making a positive impact in family’s lives. As a Speech-Language Pathologist, I love helping children and their families learn to communicate more effectively. I thoroughly enjoy the intricate and creative dance of communication. I take a holistic, collaborative approach to therapy and combine my expertise in the areas of language, cognition, articulation, fluency and voice with parent’s wisdom to determine the best treatment plans for children. I love seeing children grow into who they are as they learn to navigate their world through language and the blossoming of family and community relationships. My three sons and spouse keep me humble and laughing, and I am honored to work with Infinity Kids.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Kathleen Boggan Zierhut
Strengths: Quality-Oriented, Caring, Inventive
Advanced Training: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, The Hanan Program More Than Words
I am mid-life career changer who discovered speech and language pathology when my own daughter struggled to communicate. A communication disability affects the whole family, and I enjoy assisting families with strategies they can use in their daily lives. For beginning communicators, I teach total communication: gestures, signs, facial expressions, pictures, and devices as needed. My continuing education has focused on meeting the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder, along with teaching the use of AAC (Assistive and Alternative Communication) as a bridge to verbal communication. When I am not working, I love to do yoga (so I can keep getting down on the floor with the little ones!), go hiking, read novels, and play a variety of board games with family and friends.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Katelyn Dean
Strengths: Dependable, Enthusiastic, Compassionate
Advanced Training: Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
Katelyn enjoys working with child language disorders and social skills/pragmatic language. In her free time, she enjoys baking bread, reading, and hanging out with her friends!
Speech and Language Pathologist
Arielle Khalili
Strengths: Detail Conscious, Charismatic, Compassionate
Advanced Training: Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Elements of Music in Therapy
Arielle believes that communication fosters relationships! She is passionate about supporting children and their families in achieving speech, language, and pragmatic goals in order to connect with others. Previous experiences as an SLPA and Behavioral Therapist have enhanced her love for working with clients with autism spectrum disorders. She also enjoys incorporating music during therapy whenever possible. Arielle is the lucky mama of two—1 girl and 1 boy—and loves spending time exploring the world with them. On her free time you will find her spending time in nature, hiking, singing, dancing, taking photographs, cooking for her family, and traveling the world.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Tami Reece
Strengths: Nurturing, Intuitive, Compassionate
Advanced Training: Neurodiversity + Supporting Individuals on the Autism Spectrum
Tami loves early intervention and learning about the unique needs of families while teaching them techniques to bring out their child’s strengths. Her hobbies include journaling, amigurumi (Japanese art of crocheting small yarn toys), running, Zumba, cooking, and playing board games with her husband and three adult children.
Speech and Language Pathologist / Speech Department Supervisor
Kyla Lyons
Strengths: Patient, Nurturing, Flexible
Advanced Training: Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
Kyla has a strong passion for working with childhood apraxia of speech, phonological disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her hobbies include hanging out with her daughter and husband, taking her goldendoodle to the dog park, and visiting all the boba tea spots she can find.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Sofia Marinac
Strengths: Motivated, Compassionate, Fun-loving
My love of working with the pediatric population started back in high school when I was a learn-to-swim coach for toddlers (and some adults!). Now, as an SLP, I strive to create a fun and playful environment in each session while simultaneously encouraging growth in speech and language development. Additionally, I enjoy creating connections with all the family members I work with as they are an integral part of the team.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Lauren Madison
Strengths: Quality-Oriented, Dependable, Compassionate
I love being able to work with kids every day and help them accomplish their communication goals through play. I am passionate about making each session fun and designed to meet the needs of each individual child. The ability to collaborate with the families, OTs, PTs and other speech therapists is by far my favorite part of working at Infinity Kids. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, watching sports and spending time with my friends and family.
Speech and Language Pathologist
Julie Kim
Strengths: Quality-Oriented, Responsible, Sociable
I have always had a passion for working with children! The most rewarding part of my profession is watching my clients make progress in their ability to communicate with people in their lives. I am especially interested in working with bilingual children and the effect of bilingualism in communication disorders as I have fluent in Korean. On my free time, I like to go on mini trips with my family to Dana Point. My husband and I also like exploring different restaurants to try various food.
Speech and Language Assistants
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Carrie Pulone
Strengths: Quality-Oriented, Nurturing, Loyal
I have experience providing individualized therapy to young children with needs in receptive and expressive and language, pragmatic/social language, articulation and fluency and find great value in the collaborative benefits of working as part of a multidisciplinary team. I strive to discover and highlight each child’s strengths and abilities an utilizes these strengths to nurture their language development. For early intervention aged children I employ play-based therapy to target their speech and language goals. After being a stay-at-home mom and raising three children, I returned to school and received my degree as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. My unique experience as being a mother to two children with special needs enriches my compassion and patience in the therapeutic process.
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Tori Neal
Strengths: Dependable, Patient, Creative
I was first introduced to speech therapy when I started working as a Behavioral Therapist. I absolutely fell in love with it and quickly changed my major. Working as an SLPA, I have gained experience working with children of all ages whose challenges range from mild to profound. I enjoy being creative and fun during therapy, focusing on play-based interventions so that speech doesn’t feel like “work”. I love being a small part of a child’s journey to finding their voice. I am very passionate about this field and looking forward to more opportunities that come my way after finishing grad school. I am honored to be working with such a collaborative and supportive team at Infinity Kids.
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Melanie Aguilera
Strengths: Nurturing, patient, dedicated
I am so fortunate to be part of a field, in which I whole-heartedly admire. Having the opportunity to help individuals find their voice is such a rewarding experience that will never grow old. Working among such a diverse population, ranging from pediatrics to adult transition, has allowed me to develop an immense amount of empathy for patients of all needs. I thoroughly enjoy being challenged to appropriately meet the goals of each specific individual and sincerely take joy in celebrating all the victories (no matter how small) of those I am working with.
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Kristi Germick
Strengths: Dependable, Flexible, Compassionate
Advanced Training: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Kristi adores teaching language and pragmatic skills as well as working with early intervention children. Kristi is both an adventurous hiker and camper and also likes to spend quality time with loved ones on her free time!
Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant
Mahnoor Ahmad
Strengths: Nurturing, Caring, Charismatic
Advanced Training: American Sign Language
Noor is an advocate for speech in every way! She is all about providing hope to families and creating a positive impact within the lives around her. Language, in general, holds a very important place in her heart, as there are many ways to express and share all that we are as unique human beings. Noor is proficient in Urdu, Hindi, and even American Sign Language! In her spare time, she likes to create personalized desserts. One can also find her at a local plant shop; she is a huge lover of plants — succulents to be specific!