Hi, I’m Shannon.

Shannon started her speech-language pathology journey right here in Baton Rouge, dedicating her career to transforming lives and breaking down communication barriers.

  • Clinician & Educator: Shannon has worked as a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist for 32 years, while also serving as a clinical educator in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at LSU for 23 years. While at LSU, she created on-campus language, literacy, and AAC therapies and community-based programs, such as Tips About Talk, which was developed for teen mothers.  She served as the faculty liaison for the local chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and volunteered at conferences of the Louisiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Shannon also collaborated with researchers at LSU and Stanford University to improve the language tests given to young children. Since 2000, Shannon has provided speech and language therapy to children, often using art in her practice through Louisiana’s Early Steps Program, Excellence in Speech Pathology, LLC, and St. Lillian Academy. Art Talk is an extension of her services, allowing Shannon to use art to bring the joy of creating – whether using clay, paint, words, signs, or symbols -- to others. 

  • Her Passion: Integrating science-based therapies with the arts because she believes that communication is an art form that thrives on human connection.

  • Life Beyond the Clinic: Shannon is married to Steve and loves to visit her adult children in Atlanta and Asheville. When she isn't brainstorming new ways to blend art and speech, you can find her searching for new art supplies and inventing new ways to nurture the artistic and communicative talents of others

Hi, I’m Joy.

Joy began her career in New Orleans and expanded her expertise across various locations, including Houston and Baton Rouge, focusing her heart and on the pediatric population.

  • Entrepreneur & Advocate: Joy has worked as a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist for 32 years, co-founding Excellence in Speech Pathology, LLC, a private practice offering low and high teaching communication strategies for children with various communication needs and exceptionalities. Joy continues to provide speech and language therapy through Early Step, Excellence in Speech Pathology, and St. Lillian Academy. Joy has worked in Headstart Centers in New Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parish and worked with Shannon in a community-based program, Tips About Talk, through a partnership with LSU using parent training to support young teens in supporting language development with children. Joy has gained extensive training in working with children with motor speech difficulties, which has led to community collaborations to support families with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. She is also a lifelong advocate who has served on the Baton Rouge Down Syndrome Awareness Group Board and The Louisiana Interagency Council for Early Steps. In 2008, after recognizing the need for Baton Rouge to have an inclusive education option, she co-founded St. Lillian’s Academy.  Art Talk is an extension of these programs, allowing Joy to use her skills to enhance the lives of children and families outside of the traditional clinic and school setting. 

  • Her Passion: Enabling children to find their voice, communicate with the people they love, and express themselves fully in their daily lives.

  • Life Beyond the Clinic: Joy is married to Dave and a proud mom to 3 adult children, Sam, Ellie and Emma. She finds her peace in running and working out, enjoying the outdoors, hanging out with her family and 2 dogs, and eating a good vegetarian meal!