Staff

Amanda G. Tompkins, MS, CCC/SLP was certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2000. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Michigan State University in 1996, a Master’s of Science Degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Nova Southeastern University, in 1999 and completed a fellowship in pediatric speech and language development at St. John Hospital.  

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Amanda has earned awards from the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA) for Continuing Education. This is an award (ACE) earned by exceeding the required professional development standards for a Speech and Language Pathologist and is recognized as a significant professional accomplishment. Amanda shares her knowledge and experience with local preschools and parent groups and has been invited to provide professional development for many educators in our area. Amanda’s most valuable lessons come from raising her two sons.

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Professionally, Amanda has focused for over 20 years on improving the early communication skills of toddlers and preschool-aged children, as well as the speech, language, and social communication skills of school-aged children and teenagers. She spent most of this time in a specialized school setting and provided home-based therapy before opening her clinic. As her referrals and professional networks grew, Amanda established her team of amazing Speech and Language Pathologists at Gigi’s Kids-Speech and Language Pathology. 

Bea Jaye is the backbone of our office. Bea Jaye is the lady that you will talk to about insurance, billing, and prescriptions. She is extremely knowledgeable about insurance and is available to advise you in this area.

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Bea Jaye is also the mother of two children and understands the busy life of a caring mom. She relates to each client with empathy and compassion and will assist you efficiently, so you can get back to your child.

Leah Mamassian, M.A. CCC-SLP is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Central Michigan University in 2016 and her Master of Art degree in Speech Language Pathology from Case Western Reserve University in 2019 where she participated in interdisciplinary early intervention training. 

Leah began her professional career at Gigi’s Kids and works with children of all ages. She has experience working in a variety of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorders, receptive and expressive language, apraxia, articulation, and social communication. Since joining Gigi’s Kids, she has also received additional training in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC, LAMP Words for Life) and PROMPT. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes cooking, spending time outside and winter sports.

Alex Kedzior MA, CCC-SLP received a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the Universityof Western Ontario in 2012 and a Masters of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2015. She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a Speech Pathology License to practice in the state of Michigan.

Alex began her career working with adults while focusing on rehabilitative speech therapy. She then moved to San Diego, California in 2019 where she worked in a pediatric private practice treating children with a range of speech and language diagnoses and severities. She is passionate about working with Autistic children and aiding in building their functional communication skills across naturalistic contexts. 

Alex joined the Gigi’s Kids speech team in 2023 and has really enjoyed the opportunity to work collaboratively with other disciplines including ABA and occupational therapists. She is certified in the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) and has completed courses for applying this program to the pediatric population. She is also certified in Hanen- More Than Words which focuses on training parents to model and expand their child’s language in natural everyday activities. 

Alex enjoys a good cup of coffee, playing tennis, and getting outside with friends and family!

Marci Frank, M.A., CCC-SLP

For over 20 years, Marci has been providing an innovative sensory and play-based approach to the assessment and treatment of communication delays and disorders.  Marci specializes in the areas of early childhood and preschool language development as well as parent education and coaching.

She has a passion for developing and implementing individual and group programs within educational, clinical, and home settings.

Marci’s areas of expertise extend to many therapy intervention strategies and techniques.  These include:

Hanen It Takes Two to Talk 

Oral Motor Therapy 

TALK TOOLS

P.R.O.M.P.T

L.I.N.K.S. to Language

P.E.C.S.

Sensory Integration (S.I.P.T.)

Baby Sign

In addition to working with children and families, Marci is an accomplished presenter in her field to numerous parent groups and health professionals.

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READ MORE: Marci's Personal Testimonials

Rachel Thill, MA, CCC-SLP received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Wayne State University in 2012 and a Master of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2014. She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to practice in the state of Michigan.

Rachel spent the early years of her career working at a multidisciplinary pediatric therapy center, evaluating and treating pediatric patients with varying speech and language disorders.  She also spent time working in the public school setting.  She enjoyed collaborating with other professionals to best serve the needs of her patients.

Rachel joined Gigi’s Kids in 2018, after reconnecting with Amanda Tompkins at a PROMPT workshop- a continuing education course specializing in treating speech sound disorders using a multisensory approach.  Rachel has continued to seek out opportunities to improve her knowledge in the field and apply up-to-date research-based therapy techniques to her treatment sessions.

Rachel has focused on improving the early communication skills of toddlers and young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder through play-based early intervention and parent education.  She has also provided both individual and group therapy to improve the speech, language, and social communication skills of school-aged children.

Sarah Addis, MA, CCC-SLP is a fully certified Speech-Language Pathologist licensed to practice in the state of Michigan and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Science and Disorders from Grand Valley State University in 2012, and a Master of Arts degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2017. She completed an internship with Clarkston Public schools and her clinical fellowship with Gigi’s Kids. Prior to becoming a certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Sarah also worked as a paraprofessional within the Macomb Intermediate School District and as an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) technician.

Sarah started with Gigi’s Kids in 2017 and has since received training in early interventions, Talk Tools, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) - specifically LAMP Words for Life, and is a PROMPT Level II-trained therapist. She has experience providing individual and group therapy for children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder and social communication disorders, expressive/receptive language delays, and motor speech and/or articulation disorders. She uses a play-based approach to therapy and appreciates the collaborative nature of working with parents and other professionals to best serve each client.

Stephanie Schluentz, M.A. CCC-SLP received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Michigan University in 2018. She then went on to receive her Master’s of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders, also from Eastern Michigan University, in 2021.

During her undergraduate career, Stephanie was an ABA technician in Plymouth where she had the opportunity to work with children ages 3 to 18 with autism spectrum disorder. She’s had a variety of internship placements including a Neuro Rehabilitation facility as well as a public school where she worked with cognitively impaired children. She has worked in a variety of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorder, apraxia, traumatic brain injury, and receptive/expressive language. When she’s not working, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her dog Stella, and binge watching the latest popular shows on Netflix!

Sarah VanSipe M.A., CCC-SLP  received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Central Michigan University in 2020. She then continued at Central Michigan University to receive her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology in the spring of 2022. 

During graduate school, Sarah completed her internship at the University of Michigan’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Ann Arbor where she implemented play-based speech and language intervention for children (11mo – 16 years) with various communication disorders and medical diagnoses. Additionally, she was an SLP graduate clinician at the Approved Autism Assessment Center (AAEC) at Central Michigan University where she collaborated with Psychologists, Physicians, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, BCBA’s, and family members to conclude a diagnosis. She has provided intervention/evaluation in a variety of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia of Speech, Mixed Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Pragmatic Language Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Speech Sound Disorders. 

In Sarah’s free time, she enjoys going out to eat with friends, playing soccer, napping, traveling, and hanging out with my dog Magglio!

Lauren Young, M.A. CCC-SLP received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Services from Albion College in 2019. She completed post-baccalaureate course work in Communication in Sciences and Disorders in order to obtain a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2022.

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After graduation from Albion College, Lauren worked as an ABA behavior technician during her post-baccalaureate courses and graduate school. She became passionate about working with autistic children after becoming a respite caregiver for a young boy. She has had a variety of internship placements including Early On, an elementary school, a pediatric outpatient clinic, and Head Start.

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She enjoys working with kids with a variety of speech and language needs and has experience working with children from birth-18 years old. When not working, you can find Lauren spending time outdoors with her dog Hailey, traveling to visit family and friends, checking out local restaurants, or watching crime series/movies!

Sydney Knisley, M.A. CF-SLP received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University, in May 2021. She received her Masters of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University, in May 2023. 

Sydney has evaluated and treated a wide range of clients from ages 2-years old to 70-years old. She has provided individual treatment in outpatient centers and early intervention, along with group treatment in public schools. Sydney’s clinical experience has included neurological disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, expressive/receptive language, fluency disorders, AAC, articulation disorders, apraxia of speech, and social communication.

Sydney enjoys going out to eat, working out, embroidering, and traveling with her family and friends!

Mady Berns M.A., CCC-SLP received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Michigan State University in 2018. She then continued her education at Eastern Michigan University to receive her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology in the summer of 2022.

Before attending graduate school, Mady was a college adviser assisting high school students plan their postsecondary careers. Mady also was a preschool teacher, as well as camp director before completing her graduate degree.  During graduate school, Mady completed her internships at a private pediatric clinic treating age 18 months to 17 years as well as a school placement for a public preschool and early intervention program. She has provided experience in a variety of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia of Speech, Mixed Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, Pragmatic Language Disorders, Fluency Disorders, and Speech Sound Disorders.

In Mady’s free time, she enjoys being with friends and family, tie-dying clothes, and trying new workout classes! 

McKenna Smith, M.A. CCC-SLP received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Butler University in 2020. She then went on to receive her Master’s of Arts in Speech Pathology from Western Michigan University, in 2022.  

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McKenna began her career as a Speech Language Pathologist, working at an ABA clinic with ages 11mo-10 years old. She has worked in a variety of areas including Autism Spectrum Disorder, apraxia, speech sound disorders, AAC, and expressive/receptive language disorders. She is a Meaningful Speech Gestalt Language trained therapist.  She is also a sensory-trained SLP and has a passion for integrating regulation and sensory strategies into her speech therapy sessions. In McKenna's free time, she enjoys hanging out with her dog Palmer, visiting family, and playing golf.  

Buddy is available on a very limited basis, by request in the West Bloomfield office. He is a 12-year-old Labradoodle with an amazing disposition. He made his debut in speech therapy during the pandemic as a guest in virtual therapy sessions. As children transitioned back to in-person therapy, the requests for his participation were overwhelming. He is a great participant in therapy. Buddy enjoys being served plastic food by our children, being a teammate during games and listening to child read to him. He works for treats and always leaves the office with a full belly and a smile.