
LLA Spotlight: Alison Kolonick
We have amazing therapists at LLA and want to showcase them to you! This week, meet Alison Kolonick!
Alison is a Speech Language Pathologist who has been with LLA since August 2020! She serves students at Independence High School and the Fairlawn clinic. When deciding to become a therapist, she first went through five or six majors, from political science to history to education. After going to her first day of a “intro to communication disorders” class at Cleveland State, she decided immediately after that this was the right fit for her! She also grew up going to OT and speech with her brother so she already had some exposure. Her favorite part about being a therapist is building relationships with her kiddos AND their families. She loves to be a part of not only how the kids grow but also how the parents and siblings learn and grow alongside them. Her therapy is never only for the child receiving services!
Let’s get to know Alison better!
Share a success story!
There are too many to choose from! I like to celebrate the small successes that happen every day. If a client makes an intentional sound our gesture for the first time, produces a sound correctly, or even just tries their best when things are hard I become so proud of them!
Would you rather have pizza or tacos?
Tacos definitely
Describe your role at LLA:
I primarily see children with Autism, AAC devices, and Apraxia. I love working together with my colleagues to build strong teams for our clients and solve problems. If I’m not in therapy or busy documenting, you can find me in another therapist’s office collaborating and talking through cases together!
What is your therapy passion?
AAC, assistive technology, and Apraxia therapy!! The picture I chose is of me when my brother received his very first AAC device back in 2001/2002-ish :) I think assistive technology has been an interest of mine for as long as I can remember – I just didn’t realize it at the time! Apraxia is a newer area for me and I have enjoyed learning about it so much.
What is your favorite movie?
Big Fish by Tim Burton – I have a daffodil tattoo on my arm in honor of that movie!
What do you do in your free time?
Spend time with friends and family, exercise, and travel! I have friends all over the world who I love to visit whenever I can!
What is your best advice for parents who are embarking on a journey with therapy with their kiddo?
I tell parents to keep reaching out for help. I direct them to online support groups and resources following a diagnosis. It is so important for parents to feel supported by others who can relate to their experiences. I also tell them not to try to learn everything about a disorder at once! Grow as you go :)
What is the funniest thing a kid has ever said to you in therapy?
There are some words that kids say that are just so cute that I find it hard to correct them! One kiddo pronounced “octopus” like “applesauce” or “no number” for “November” and that was just too cute so I let them slide!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’m hoping to go to Germany next year for a friend’s wedding and then do a tour of Eastern Europe. I’ve never been that far East before!
What is your best advice for kids?
The world needs a voice like yours – whether you sign it, say it, press a button to tell it, high five it or simply look. The world is better because you and your voice are in it!
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle
Tune in to our next Spotlight to meet another one of our wonderful therapists!