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.  

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

Rachel Van Dyke, M.A, CCC-SLP is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University in 2014 and her Master of Arts degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University in 2016. She has dedicated her career to providing high-quality and individualized care for children and their families.

Rachel worked for an outpatient hospital facility and an outpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility before joining the team at Gigi’s Kids. Throughout her career, Rachel has actively collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists and enjoys incorporating sensory, fine motor, and gross motor activities into treatment in order to provide a holistic approach to best support the child’s development. 

Rachel has primarily worked with children from birth to 18. While she has extensive experience treating a variety of speech and language disorders, Rachel is passionate about providing early intervention to help young children learn pre-linguistic skills necessary for supporting independent communication and treating childhood apraxia of speech. 

Rachel is a proud Detroit resident. When she is not working, she enjoys creating arts and crafts, exploring the city with her husband and son, and spending time with friends and family. 

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.

Madeline Badgley, M.A CCC-SLP was certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2018. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University in 2013. She completed post-baccalaureate course work in Communication in Sciences and Disorders in order to obtain a Masters of Speech and Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2018.

Prior to graduating from Oakland University, Maddie worked as an ABA therapist for the Healing Haven. She continued to work at Healing Haven while she attended graduate school and completed her internship with Amanda at the Gigi's Kids location at Healing Haven.

Maddie has enjoyed working with kids on the Autism Spectrum since she was a camp counselor at SCAMP, a summer camp for children with special needs. She continues to take joy in working with kids on a variety of speech and language needs and has experience working with children from 2-18 years old.

Maddie has completed formal training for:

Introduction to PROMPT

PROMPT Bridging Technique for Intervention

LAMP

Talk Tools

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.

​

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.

Ericka Makowski, M.S. CF-SLP received her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences from Grand Valley State University in 2020. She went on to receive her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, also from Grand Valley State University, in April 2022. 

Ericka has served individuals in public schools, home health, and early intervention. Her clinical experience includes a variety of areas such as; Autism Spectrum Disorder, expressive/receptive language, articulation, AAC, and social communication. She is passionate about working with children as she creates a fun learning environment for her clients and encourages the growth of functional communication skills.

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.

​

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.

​

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!

Kate Neidhart, M.A., CCC-SLP is certified through the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and licensed in the state of Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with minors in Psychology and Dance from Western Michigan University in 2015. She received her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University in 2017.

​

Kate completed her clinical fellowship at an early childhood special education preschool and has since continued to work in early intervention. She currently works full-time providing in-home therapy to infants and toddlers as well as parent/family coaching. She frequently collaborates and co-treats with other professionals such as OT, PT, and social workers. She has also worked part-time in outpatient pediatric clinics servicing children aged 2-17.

​

Kate has experience working in the areas of autism, apraxia, receptive/language, articulation and phonological disorders, hearing loss, social communication, stuttering, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She is currently completing a certification in the PLAY Project, an evidence-based coaching model for parents of young children diagnosed with autism.

​

Kate has a passion for embracing neurodiversity and child-centered, play-based therapy approaches. She enjoys connecting with children by tapping into their interests with play and strength-based therapy approaches.

​

When she is not working, Kate enjoys yoga, kayaking, and crocheting. She also is an avid Harry Potter fan and has read the books more times than she can count.

Mady Berns M.A., CF-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! 

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.