Now Enrolling 2nd through 12th Graders for PEERS Social Skills Classes!
Speech and Language Therapy
The Cheerful Difference
Our constant search for advances in the field of speech-language pathology exists to benefit your child because no two children have the same background, needs, or learning style. We will apply the latest research when creating your truly individualized plan and will find creative way to tap into your child’s interests and curiosity. Here you will discover dynamic and personalized speech and language therapy. All of our plans combine one-on-one therapy and parent training to maximize progress in a way that works for you, your child, and your home.
Initial Meet & Greet
Answers. Help. Progress!
Family-Focused at Every Step
Parent Training & Observation
Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Autism Specialist, and Owner
He was not speaking, just babbling a little. I can remember Ellen’s first session with us and how unsure I was if this would work. She quickly showed how she could take his favorite things, turn them into a game of sorts and teach him to comprehend words…
About Ellen
Ellen McSpadden is a highly skilled, ASHA-certified, and NJ-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with nearly two decades of experience working with children in the hospital, outpatient, school, and in-home settings. She is a Certified Autism Specialist and a Certified Provider of PEERS (The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills). In addition, she specializes in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and is formally trained in DTTC, PROMPT, and Hanen’s “It Takes Two To Talk” Workshop for Parents.
She was raised in suburban Maryland, just outside Washington, DC, and obtained degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Maryland. Soon after graduating with her Master’s degree, she relocated to southern New Jersey and began working with area families. While working in homes through NJ’s Early Intervention System, parents she worked with began referring her to their friends. Ellen’s reputation and those word-of-mouth referrals created the need to open Cheerful Chatter Speech-Language Services in 2013… a family-friendly private practice that clients know and love today.
Ellen’s energy, passion, and commitment to helping children of all ages is demonstrated in her dynamic, fun approach and the sincere, respectful relationship she cultivates with every individual. Children and teenagers look forward to motivating, engaging, fun, and highly effective sessions that lead to genuine skill development. Sometimes, they don’t even want to leave! The speech, language, literacy, and social skill development her clients experience is a testament to her knowledge, skills, experience, and passion.
Raechel Davidson, BSW
Parent & Social Support Specialist
About Raechel
Raechel Davidson is a well regarded and highly skilled professional. She earned her Bacherlor’s degree in Social Work at Eastern University back in 2013. She has spent the last several years working as a personal caregiver to a variety of individuals whose needs included personal care, therapeutic activities, educational assistance, and social coaching.
She was raised in Northern NJ and made her way to the Philadelphia region for college. She met her now husband and step-daughter during her senior year of college and has since made South Jersey her home. She has grown an outstanding word-of-mouth reputation for providing top quality care to individuals in Southern NJ and surrounding areas. She has worked with numerous families and, in doing so, has gained more experience and connections within the Southern NJ/Philadelphia community than she ever thought possible.
Raechel‘s connection to Cheerful Chatter is unique as we worked together with a mutual client for two years prior to her becoming part of the Cheerful Chatter family. Her energetic personality, dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence made her a perfect fit for us and our families. It is only fitting that her next step is that of our Parent & Social Support Specialist. Raechel is thrilled to be part of Cheerful Chatter and we are honored to have her. She brings a dynamic perspective to the team and works tirelessly to ensure each and every one of her clients is treated with the utmost respect and dignity.
What is an SLP and what do they do?
SLPs are speech-language pathologists and they go by a few different names: speech therapist, language therapist, speech correctionist, ST, etc.
Speech-language pathologists are highly-trained specialists in the development, prevention, evaluation, habilitation, and rehabilitation of various disorders that affect the ability to listen, speak, read, write, make friends, eat, and swallow…
You work on reading and writing?
We sure do! Reading and writing are simply other ways of using language. All those squiggly lines (aka, letters) were invented to represent speech sounds… it’s as simple as that!
To receive information, we can listen or read. To express information, we can speak or write. However, because our brains are not biologically wired to read and write, many children have difficulty transitioning from oral language to written language. The risk of difficulty increases when they thave a history of speech and/or language delays in early childhood. That is why speech-language pathologists are the best profession to provide reading intervention. We’re like reading tutors… but SO much more!!
You work on friendships and social skills?
Of course! Friendships develop when two people discover that they like to talk about and do the same things. To discover this information, they use verbal and nonverbal communication skills, perspective taking, and problem-solving skills during social situations. And who specializes in these areas? Speech-language pathologists!
You work with eating and swallowing disorders? You work with eating and swallowing disorders?
We Love to CHATTER!
Adult & Me, Homeschool Haven & Social Skills Programs All are held in our new classrooms in the heart of Haddonfield, NJ (between PJ Whelihan's and Central Taco).
Individual Therapy SLP services are provided in our office, at your home, at their school, or anywhere within our driving area. A map of our driving area can be found on the Contact & Schedule page.
