A NYC Speech Therapist’s Personal Story: Creating Voices & Empowering Children Through Meaningful Care
In today’s blog, I will share a personal story about how I became a speech therapist, why I created Chatty Child Clinic, and why I offer speech therapy for children in NYC.
I discuss what inspires me daily, empowering the children in my care to be agents of change and successful communicators in their own lives.
My Journey to Becoming a Speech Therapist in NYC
I have been on a therapeutic and healing journey since I was born.
At birth, I entered this world three months premature.
I was given a 50/50 chance of survival.
Since that moment, my mission in life has formed into being a neurodiversity warrior, advocate, and unwavering supporter.
My childhood was filled with surgeries, medical appointments, testing, therapies, and specialized tutors throughout the day.
As a highly sensitive child, I often engaged and thrived in environments that gave me access to the natural world.
I found healing and comfort in nature.
And I befriended many people, animals, and plants.
I thrived in spaces that allowed me to explore my creativity and empathetic approach to life and people.
My astute and caring parents searched for small, independent, private schools that could support and nurture my unique learning needs.
The public school system at the time refused to educate and care for me!
This was before the era of the educational protections we benefit from now.
Creating Space for Neurodiverse Learners
I slowly learned to navigate the world as a neurodivergent person and began to build a foundation for my own learning and healing journey.
As a teenager, I attended a Quaker boarding high school which exposed me to a diverse community of curious learners.
As students, we were all eager to learn and open to experiencing many different perspectives and approaches to life.
Here, I attended weekly meetings of inner reflection.
My love and passion for spirituality and personal healing were further ignited.
I continued my journey of higher education by completing a Master’s of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at New York University.
After graduation, I completed placements at premier adult and children’s hospitals throughout New York City. I specialized in medically complex cases and intensive rehabilitation programs for both children and adults.
I continued growing as a clinician and gained varied experiences working for home care agencies, specialized schools, sensory gyms, and private practices throughout the city.
In 2011, I founded and created Chatty Child Speech Therapy. I quickly added Occupational & Physical therapy to provide a holistic array of treatment offerings that are now available at Chatty Child.
I am proud of the special clinic I created for all different learners.
Under my care, each child is celebrated for their own strengths.
Drawing from my own personal experiences as a neurodiverse learner, I am able to tap into each person’s interests. This includes their passions and strengths to create creative pathways to learning, healing, and growing.
Support for Your Child at a Speech Therapist’s Private Practice
Does your child have a similar story?
I can help.
I have navigated this path.
Reach out for guided support from a person who has been there.
Heather and Chatty Child’s creative team of speech and occupational therapists are here to support and guide you.
Chatty Child’s expert speech, language, feeding, or occupational therapy may be the missing piece to the puzzle!
I invite you to come join my life’s mission of creating limitless possibilities.
Working with a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist could be the support you’ve been looking for. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced team of speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists. We can help create a tailored program for your neurodiverse child.
We offer personalized neurodivergent affirming, speech, language, feeding, and occupational therapy, as well as creative mindfulness classes for all ages and abilities.
In-person and online options are available for all therapeutic sessions and classes.
Our speech and occupational therapists are here to support all your child’s therapeutic needs.
I invite you to schedule a tour to discover the support waiting for your child here at Chatty Child.
We are ready to help and support your child to grow and learn!
Let’s create excellent communicators, confident voices, calm minds, and limitless possibilities – together!
Ready to Help Your Child Find Their Voice at Chatty Child?
At Chatty Child, we’re passionate about helping children communicate with confidence and feel empowered to express themselves. If you’re looking for a speech therapist private practice that sees the whole child, here’s how to get started:
- Contact us or call 347.491.4451 for a free 15-minute conversation about your child’s needs.
- Schedule a comprehensive evaluation to better understand their unique strengths and challenges.
- Begin individualized speech therapy focused on the communication skills that matter most to your child.
- Collaborate with your child’s support team to carry therapeutic strategies into everyday life.
Every child deserves the opportunity to find their voice. With the right support from our team, they can communicate with greater confidence and connect more fully with the world around them.
Comprehensive Support for Your Child’s Development
At Chatty Child, we support the whole child by building communication, learning, emotional, sensory, and everyday skills. Our individualized services help children feel more confident at home, school, and in their communities.
Our services include:
- Speech Therapy – Play-based support for speech, language, and social communication.
- InterAct – Storytelling and play that build language, imagination, and connection.
- Mindfulness Classes – Mindfulness and meditation practices that support regulation and emotional well-being.
- Occupational Therapy – Support for sensory processing, motor skills, self-care, and independence.
- hum studios – Mindfulness-based classes promoting emotional awareness and self-regulation.
- Teletherapy – Virtual speech and occupational therapy throughout New York State.
- Tutoring – Personalized support for reading, writing, comprehension, and critical thinking.
- Functional Nutrition – Nutrition-informed strategies supporting attention, regulation, and well-being.
- Consulting – Guidance for families and educators supporting children across environments.
- Group Programs – Small-group sessions focused on communication, social skills, and emotional development.
Meet Heather Boerner, NYC Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
Heather Boerner, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed, nationally certified speech-language pathologist with 23+ years of experience supporting children. Her care combines clinical expertise with mindfulness, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming approaches.
Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC to provide personalized, collaborative care. She also partners with schools and is the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon.
Heather and her team offer in-person therapy in Tribeca and virtual services throughout New York State, helping children build communication, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.
