Dr. Ferrone received her PhD and Master’s degrees from Columbia University and specializes in the evaluation and treatment of voice disorders. Her expertise ranges from rehabilitation of professional voice users to voice restoration for laryngectomees. Dr. Ferrone has extensive experience in techniques to improve vocal resonance, breath control, and voice quality for patients who are preparing for or recovering from surgery to the vocal cords or who have been prescribed voice therapy as a means to resolve vocal cord injury or poor voice production habits.

Dr. Ferrone is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, has guest lectured at Columbia University in the Department of Speech and Language Pathology and at the annual National Voice Symposium, and has published peer-reviewed articles in the area of professional voice use.

 

 

Diana Richardson received her Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA, a program that stresses the integration between written and spoken language.  While at MGH, Diana also completed coursework for licensure as a reading specialist.  During her time in Boston, Diana spent six months at an inner-city Boston high school, where she provided both speech and language support as well as reading and writing expertise to English language learners.  She also has experience treating children with a variety of language and learning disorders such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, autism spectrum disorder, receptive and expressive language delays, articulation and phonological disorders, and pragmatic language disorders.  

In addition to working with children, Diana has worked with adults suffering from post-stroke aphasia at the MGH Institute Aphasia Center, providing individual and group therapy in a welcoming and nurturing environment. Additionally, she has treated individuals with acquired speech, language, and swallowing disorders in the inpatient setting at New England Rehabilitation Hospital.   

A former product manager at a software company, Diana works to integrate creativity and technology into speech and language therapy utilizing evidence-based language learning software, homemade computer games targeting individual language goals, and interactive websites.  She plans to combine her passion for technology and speech and language therapy by creating a technology suite of useful therapy programs and websites here at Open Lines.

Mahreen Daruwala is a licensed bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist who graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.  She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Long Island University C. W. Post campus.  In addition, Mahreen is certified as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Difficulties.  Besides holding a bilingual certification in Hindi, she is fluent in Gujarati and Urdu.  During her graduate studies, Mahreen participated in a study abroad program in Bolivia where she worked at a children’s hospital for one month.  In Bolivia, Mahreen focused on providing parent training and the use of simple Augmentative and Alternative Communication methods.  

Since her graduation, Mahreen has worked in charter schools serving elementary and middle school children presenting with articulation/phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language delays, mild autism spectrum disorders, and fluency disorders.  She also provided services to preschool children at homes for articulation and phonological disorders as well as language delay.  Her sessions were often literature based and related to the school curriculum. When providing services at home she insists that parents participate during therapy or observe her sessions to facilitate carryover of strategies. 

Mahreen is currently working at a public school in Staten Island serving children with autism and/or multiple disabilities.  She uses a wide range of Augmentative and Alternative Strategies to facilitate her student’s communication.  She enjoys collaborating with teachers and other professionals as it allows her to not only enhance the effectiveness of services but also facilitate carryover of skills.

Mahreen has extensive experience and interest in assessment and intervention of speech-language delays as well as in providing parent training. Her interests also include: bilingual speech/language development and disorders, autism spectrum disorders, pragmatic skills therapy, language delay, phonological/articulation disorders, literacy training, and parent training.

Miriam Barry is our resident Literacy Specialist. She received her masters degrees in General Childhood Education and Advanced Literacy Specialization from The Bank Street College of Education, New York's preeminent institution for child development and education. After completing her studies, she worked for six years as both a classroom teacher and reading specialist in public schools located in underserved communities.

Now she focuses on teaching literacy skills to students who struggle in the classroom setting. Miriam's areas of expertise range from developing phonemic awareness and phonics-based skills using a multi-sensory approach with readers of all ages to reading comprehension strategies and written expression skills. In addition to helping students, Miriam has lead extensive professional development sessions for new teachers as a Literacy Specialist in Teach for America's summer training program.

Miriam's teaching background, coupled with her experience in professional development for teachers, allows her unique insight into both the learning process and the inner workings of the school environment. Her integrated and personal approach helps children increase their reading skills as effortlessly and efficiently as possible.