Unlocking Communication, Empowering Potential

At CCL, we believe in more than just helping children speak—we help them communicate and connect with the world around them.

We aim to be a place of hope, empowering children to live their best lives with their families.
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Welcome to The Center for Communication and Learning

At CCL, we are dedicated to helping your child unlock their full potential as confident and effective communicators. Located in Rockville, Maryland, our experienced team of certified speech-language pathologists offers personalized therapy services designed to meet the unique needs of each child. Our goal is to ensure success at home, in school, and within the community.

Services

We provide personalized care for children with various communication disorders. Our goal is to help each child succeed in speech, language, and social skills.

Be Social Kids

Our Be Social Kids program teaches the "why" behind social skills. We help children build social confidence through understanding.

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We offer tailored services based on your child’s unique needs. Our team creates personalized plans to support your child’s growth.
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Why Choose CCL?

Tailored Therapy Programs for Every Child:

At CCL, we specialize in providing individualized speech and language services, using state-of-the-art evaluation tools and therapy techniques. Each child’s treatment plan is customized to their specific strengths and challenges, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care.

Comprehensive Services for Communication and Learning Challenges:

Our therapists work with children facing a variety of challenges, including Autism, ADHD, Speech and Language Delays, Social Communication Disorder, Executive Function Disorder, and more. Our Be Social program, inspired by the Social Thinking Clinical Training Program, helps children develop essential social skills, allowing them to thrive in social environments.

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Helping Children Thrive Through Connection and Communication

CCL offers dynamic workshops on a wide range of topics related to child development.
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CCL Expertise

Our team of licensed speech-language pathologists is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Each therapist participates in ongoing continuing education, ensuring your child benefits from the latest in therapeutic programs and techniques.

Collaboration for Success:

We collaborate with your child’s teachers and other specialists to create a holistic plan for communication success. By working together, we ensure that your child is supported in every aspect of their growth.

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Introducing

Teletheraphy

Join us in building a brighter, more compassionate world one meaningful gesture at a time.
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What Parents Are Saying

Real stories of success from families who trust CCL to help their children communicate and thrive.

“Our experience at CCL has been life-changing. My son was struggling with both speech and social interactions, and we were feeling lost. The therapists at CCL took the time to understand his specific needs and tailored a program that truly worked. After just a few months, his communication skills improved, and he’s even making friends. The Be Social Kids program was a game changer for him. We are beyond grateful for the support and care we’ve received.”

“My daughter had a severe speech delay, and I was concerned about her starting school. The team at CCL provided such thoughtful and thorough care from the start. They didn’t just address her speech issues—they helped us as a family understand how to support her development. Now she’s communicating with confidence, and it’s amazing to see how far she’s come. We couldn’t have done it without CCL’s expertise and patience.”

“Working with CCL has been an incredible experience. My son was diagnosed with Autism, and communication was a huge challenge for him. The therapists not only helped with his speech, but they also taught him how to engage socially through the Be Social Kids program. The progress he’s made has been remarkable, and he’s much more comfortable interacting with his peers now. We’ve seen such a positive change in him, and we’re so thankful for CCL’s dedication.”

Join Us in Our Mission

Help us continue making a difference in the lives of children and families. Together, we can ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed and communicate confidently in their everyday lives.

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Judy Valentin

Administrator

After 10.5 years working for a world renown Engineering, Construction and Management Company, Judy changed her field of work to join CCL as the Office Administrator and Billing Consultant. She has been with CCL for 7 years, and enjoys working at CCL with all the families and therapists. Judy’s main goal is to make sure to match the correct therapist according to the family needs, while ensuring all the insurance documentation is up to date, to avoid any interruption of services. Her reward and greatest joy are to see families satisfied with our services.

During her leisure time, Judy loves to travel with her family, gardening, and cooking.

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Jamie Fink, M.S., CCC-SLP

(ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech Language Pathologist

Jamie is an American Speech, Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders at Penn State University in 2021 and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Towson University in 2023.

In addition to CCL, Jamie works at Ivymount School, where she focuses on enhancing functional communication skills for students with autism and intellectual disabilities. She specializes in helping high school and post-high school students develop vocational and social skills as well as self-advocacy strategies to support their transition into adulthood. Jamie also has experience in the areas of articulation, early intervention, AAC, and social pragmatic language at her time interning with Children’s National hospital outpatient.

Outside of work, Jamie is passionate about fitness, teaching group fitness classes, and traveling to new places. She loves spending time with her family at the beach and lake.

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Cara Schorr, MA, CCC-SLP

Member of The American Speech and Hearing Association

Cara is an American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She is licensed to practice in MD. Cara received her Bachelors of Science degree from SUNY Cortland and her Masters of Arts degree from St. Louis University.

Cara has over 26 years of experience working with the pediatric population in the areas of speech sound disorders, oral motor, feeding, and language. She has specialized training in orofacial myofunctional therapy and feeding therapy. Cara was on staff at CCL in 2002-2010 before working at Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program and returned to CCL in 2021. She loves working with children of all ages in collaboration with their families and other providers for a wholistic treatment approach.

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Mandy Shearer, M.A. CCC-SLP

(ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech Language Pathologist

Mandy is an American Speech, Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech Language Pathologist. She received her B.A. in Communication Disorders from Eastern New Mexico University and M.A. from The University of Northern Colorado in Speech-Language Pathology. Mandy has 16+ years of working with individuals ranging from pre-school to adults with communication needs in a variety of settings (schools, clinics and hospitals) in and out of the United States. Her awareness, respect and appreciation of cultures coupled with her professional knowledge has shaped the holistic approach she takes in working with individuals and families.

Mandy has the sheltered English immersion endorsement on her license and is passionate in working with individuals facing social-cognitive language and literacy challenges.

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Samantha Pannone, M.A. CCC-SLP

(ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech Language Pathologist

She is an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and Maryland licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. She received her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park in Speech Pathology and earned a graduate certification in Bilingual Special Education from George Washington University. In addition to working at The Center for Communication and Learning for the past fifteen years, she also works in the public schools. Samantha is the coordinator of the Be Social Kids Program and proudly co-runs CCL’s social groups. Samantha’s passion is in working with young children and adolescents in the areas of articulation and language disorders, English Language Learning, fluency disorders, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), and social learning challenges.

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Laura Levin, M.S.,CCC.SLP

(ASHA) Speech Language Pathologist

An American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Speech Language Pathologist. She is certified by ASHA and licensed to practice in both Maryland and DC. Laura is an experienced therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children from18 months old through adults treating speech, articulation, language, swallowing and voice disorders.

Ms. Levin received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication disorders from Emerson College in 1999 and obtained her Masters of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in 2002.

Beginning in 2004, Laura joined the Howard County Infants and Toddlers program working in early intervention, providing therapy in both a home and school based setting for preschool children. Since 2007, Laura has worked in private practice providing therapy to pre-school and elementary school aged children.

She joined The Center for Communication and Learning team in 2017. Laura is PROMPT trained and Hanen certified.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys traveling, reading, running and spending time with her husband and three children.

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Ariel Chheda, MA, CCC-SLP

(ASHA) certified Speech-Language Pathologist

She is an American Speech, Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She is licensed to practice in both Maryland and Washington, DC. Ariel received her bachelor’s degree in Child Development at Vanderbilt University and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland, College Park.

She previously worked at HSC Pediatric Center with children from birth to twenty-one assessing and treating a wide variety of speech, language, pragmatic and feeding disorders. Ariel has specific experience with children with autism spectrum disorder, behavioral challenges, social-pragmatic language difficulties, and feeding disorders. She has specialized training in the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program for young children with language delays and the More than Words program for children with autism spectrum disorder and social pragmatic language challenges.

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Susan M. Abrams, M.A.CCC-SLP

Pediatric Speech – Language Pathologist

With over thirty years experience evaluating and treating children with speech, language and social learning disorders in Montgomery County. She is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the State of Maryland in speech language pathology. She holds a Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology from Hofstra University and a Masters of Education in Counseling from George Washington University.

She is recognized as one of Maryland’s most respected therapists in the area of social thinking having completed the Social Thinking clinical training program with Michelle Garcia Winner CCC-SLP, in San Jose, California. She has presented at the Social Thinking Providers Conference, most recently in 2013 with Dr Judith Glasser, PhD. on Social Thinking Meets CBT. In addition, she has completed the NDT certificate course and treats children with neurological challenges. She has also trained in the areas of pre-speech and feeding with nationally and internationally known speech language pathologist Suzanne Evans Morris, Ph.D. and provides therapies in these areas.

Susan is the founder of Parent University, which sponsors dynamic speakers in the fields of health, psychology and education for the community. Be Social Kids Workshops is a unique program she developed to provide families with a toolbox for assisting their children to navigate the social world.

She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA). She is a recipient of ASHA’s ACE Award for excellence in continuing education, dedicating a commitment to lifelong learning. In addition to her clinical expertise, she has been an adjunct instructor at the Johns Hopkins University.

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Randi Rosenblatt, M.A., CCC-SLP

Owner and Director of CCL

She is a Speech-Language Pathologist with almost 20 years of experience. She is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the State of Maryland in speech language pathology. She holds a Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology from George Washington University.

Randi is PROMPT trained and enjoys using these skills while working with children with apraxia and other articulation disorders. She has presented at the Social Thinking Providers Conference and leads the Be Social Summer Camp.

Randi’s work is focused on toddlers to pre-teens, assessing and treating a wide variety of speech and language disorders. Her clinical experience includes: apraxia, articulation, phonology, augmentative communication, language, and social thinking groups. She has worked in varied settings including private, public schools and in the home.