Our Therapists

Ellisa is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist who graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Alabama with a B.S. in Health Sciences in 2017 and an M.S. in Occupational Therapy in 2019. As a part of her Master’s program, she completed a 12 week level II rotation at an outpatient pediatric clinic and has experience as an OT in the school setting. She has completed extensive volunteer hours working with youth groups, group homes, special Olympics, etc. in addition to advising and mentoring undergraduate students interested in occupational therapy.

She is passionate about advocating for children of all abilities through caregiver and teacher education. She believes every child deserves the opportunity to participate in his or her environment to his or her fullest potential. She is excited that, as an OT, she is able to play a part in equipping children and their families with the tools necessary to make this possible.

Ellisa and her husband recently moved back to the Huntsville area to plant a church. In her free time, she enjoys cooking with her husband, being outside, playing with her dog, playing games with her friends and family, crafting, cleaning, and serving her community.

Jenni Boerner is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She has 11 years of experience providing diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders in the preschool through middle school age population. Her areas of specialty include articulation and phonological disorders, fluency, language delays. She has training in adult foreign accent modification.

Jenni received her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Communication Science Disorders from the University of Montevallo. Jenni enjoys providing therapy for children of all ages and motivating them to be excellent communicators.

She is committed to engaging the family and other caregivers of her clients to maximize therapy results. She enjoys reading, exercise and old movies. She and her husband, Bob, have 3 boys.

Melanie is a speech-language pathologist who joined Child’sPlay in June of 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Auburn University in 2017 and her master’s degree in speech pathology from the University of Alabama in 2020. Her clinical experience encompasses a diverse population from preschool age to the geriatric population, in a variety of settings including elementary schools, skilled nursing facilities, and university clinic. Her favorite part of her clinical experience was working with the pediatric population to enhance and improve communication skills in creative ways and in a fun, encouraging environment. She loves reading just about anything, spending time with her husband and adorable cat, Oscar.

Taylor is a speech-language pathologist who started at Child'sPlay in June of 2018. She graduated from Auburn University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders(War Eagle!) and earned her Master of Science from the University of Montevallo in 2017.

She has clinical experience working with children in various settings including school systems, early intervention, and private practice. She is eager to build relationships with her clients and their families, facilitate communicative success, and encourage each child to reach his or her full potential. Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, serving in student ministry, and attending music and theatre events.

Laura is the Clinic Director of our Huntsville location. She joined the Child's Play team in November 2016 after her family moved to Huntsville from the Chicago area. She has been a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist since 1994 and has worked with children with a variety of diagnoses and disorders in outpatient pediatric settings as well as in early intervention. She has training in and experience with LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning) and SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory feeding approach), is a certified provider of the Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention Protocol as well as an Early Intervention Specialist in the State of Alabama. Laura also has extensive experience in clinical supervision and clinical management as a pediatric clinic director in the Chicago area.

Hollye Dickey is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She graduated from Alabama A&M University with a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in 2010. Prior to working at Child’s Play, she worked with the adult and geriatric populations in skilled nursing settings and with children in elementary, middle, and high school settings. She has experience working with articulation disorders, language delays, social skills, fluency, dysphagia, and dementia. She loves traveling and spending time with friends and family. Hollye enjoys working with people of all ages and hopes to have a positive impact on their lives and their ability to communicate effectively.

Heather Dragash is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Master of Arts in Communicative Disorders in 2000. Prior to working at Child’s Play, she worked with children with a variety of diagnoses and disorders in the outpatient, home, and school settings as well as in early intervention. She has training and experience with LAMP ((Language Acquisition through Motor Planning). Heather enjoys working with the pediatric population and is honored to play a part in helping children progress and achieve their communication goals.

Ali joined our Huntsville office in September 2018, and currently works PRN to cover vacations/time off. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from West Virginia University - School of Medicine in 2011. Her experience includes working with adults in skilled nursing and inpatient settings, and children in private practice and within the school system.

Ali is passionate about working with children and has extensive continuing education training and certifications, including SOS Approach to Feeding, Primitive Reflexes, SPD, and Therapeutic Listening. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and exploring ways to lead a healthier, more natural, wellness-based lifestyle.

Lauren is a licensed and registered occupational therapist. who joined the Child'sPlay team in 2017. She graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2006 and received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from UAB in 2010. Lauren has worked in a variety of settings including: Early Intervention, school system, acute care, pediatric and adult outpatient and geriatrics. Lauren loves the pediatric population and is excited to be a part of helping these children and their families reach their goals. Lauren's interests include all things Auburn, Disney, sewing/embroidering, and spending time with her family/friends.

Casey Hutchings is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who joined Child’sPlay in October of 2019. She graduated from The University of Alabama in 2018 with a Masters of Science degree in Communication Disorders. She has clinical experience in working for the school system, early intervention, and outpatient rehabilitation. She loves spending time with her growing family and enjoys exploring all that North Alabama has to offer.

Trista is a licensed and registered occupational therapist who joined Child'sPlay in February of 2020. Trista graduated from Saint Ambrose University in Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2010, and a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in 2011. She and her family recently relocated to the Huntsville area from Central Illinois, where she worked for 8 years with the pediatric population.

Throughout her career she has provided services in an outpatient clinic, school setting, and early intervention to a variety of children and families with different needs. During this time she was also part of the Autism Diagnostic Team, completing OT evaluations and ADOS-2 evaluations.

Trista has training in sensory processing, Autism, Zones of Regulation, Handwriting Without Tears, L.A.M.P. and Cortical Visual Impairment. She has a strong passion for children and loves being part of a team to help children and their families reach their highest potential and grow towards their goals.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, doing household projects or outdoor activities. She also loves spending time with her friends and family.

Laura is a licensed and registered occupational therapist who currently provides Early Intervention services for Child'sPlay. She does not provide in-clinic services at this time. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Child Development and earned her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from UAB in 2007. Additionally, she has 20+ hours of PhD coursework. Laura has worked in multiple pediatric settings including early intervention, school system, outpatient, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and higher education. She has worked at Children’s of Alabama since 2008, providing weekend therapy services for all OT needs, including neuro rehabilitation, physical rehab, and acute/ inpatient treatment of burn injuries.

Laura has specialized training and experience in all sensory, behavioral, and motor aspects of infant and pediatric feeding including swallowing/ dysphagia, the Pediatric Feeding Institute transdisciplinary approach, and Beckman Oral Motor; infant and toddler neuro-developmental treatment, routines-based intervention and caregiver coaching strategies in early intervention; custom pediatric upper extremity splinting; assistive technology and adaptive equipment throughout the lifespan; behavior modification principles; sensory processing and integration; management of congenital muscular torticollis; CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics); iLs (Integrated Listening Systems); LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Planning); Handwriting Without Tears; and evaluation and treatment of pediatric visual impairments in early intervention.

Laura is deeply committed to her clients and their families. Her primary goals as a therapist are to provide individualized, supportive, and evidence-based therapy services for each client; connect and build relationships with her clients and their family; and empower families to help their child reach their maximum potential. She believes you cannot “treat” a child in isolation and emphasizes the importance of a strengths-based approach and seeing the child first, rather than the area of concern or their challenges. Laura grew up in Huntsville and enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and 2 rescue dogs. She enjoys decorating, arts and music, and watching baseball and college football.