LLA Spotlight: Valerie Barnes

October 11, 2020
Our Team

We have amazing therapists at LLA and want to showcase them to you! This week, meet Valerie Barnes!

Valerie is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant has been with LLA since the beginning! She serves students in Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools. She chose to become a therapist because she loves working with kids and her daughter had OT. She thought it just looked like fun and fit her personality. One of her favorite things about being a therapist is definitely the kids!

Let’s get to know Valerie better!

Would you rather have super strength or the ability to fly?

Flying!!! I would be at the beach every weekend!

What is your favorite color?

Yellow

What is your best advice for parents who are embarking on a journey with therapy with their kiddo?

Celebrate all the gains. Keep your eyes on what they can do and not what they are struggling with.

What is your favorite team?

The Mighty, Mighty, Mighty Cleveland Browns

What is the funniest thing a kid has ever said to you in therapy?

I once had a 1st grader ask me what was wrong with my neck. As you get older you end up with a dangling chicken neck, something for you young folks to look forward to, anyway I explained that phenomenon to him. He then stated, ” Well you might try a scarf.” I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair.

What is your best advice for kids?

Take your time when making life decisions, but not so much time that you end up living in your parents basement for 10 years.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

Are you an early riser or night owl?

Early riser

What is the best advice you have ever received?

People first!!!

What is your favorite season?

Summer! Love the sun and the warmth.

Tune in to our next Spotlight to meet another one of our wonderful therapists!

Crystal Scheibe

Facebook

Great place, glad we found them. Been going to Medina over 2 months now and he loves Lauryn and Kyler. Wish they had more ABA therapy places available... live in Wooster and long drive everyday.

Karrie Swan LaRock

My 11 year old son has dyslexia and has made noticeable gains in working At LLA THERAPY. Katie is strong in her approach toward him and also keeps him comfortable enough to perform well. We will continue visiting both the Fairlawn and Hudson offices and recommend them highly.

Ron Monroe

My 9 year old just completed about 9 months of weekly speech sessions (due to his stuttering) with Matt Hagge at LLA and we are thrilled with the experience and results. What I thought might be a negative (what kid really wants to go to speech class?) was made very positive by Matt, and my son never hesitated or complained when we talked about class. He really enjoyed it and really took what Matt taught him to heart. His speech has been greatly improved and we definitely recommend LLA. Thank you so much!

Heather Dougherty-Pantoja

My son’s Occupational Therapist, Jess, is an amazing OT! She gives practical tips on working with my son at home and school!

Terri Apgar

I cannot say enough good things about LLA Therapy. My daughter was a client of Teal Simmons’ for approximately 2 years and was just released from speech therapy! She was diagnosed with Apraxia in 2015 and worked with Teal twice a week. Through Teal’s application of PROMPT therapy, my daughter had age-appropriate speech after one year. All of the staff we interacted with at LLA were absolutely wonderful. They really care about what they do and making sure your child achieves their goals.

Kelli Geisler Davisson

LLA Therapy has been an excellent experience for my son as well as my family! My son always asks, "When can I go see Ms. Jeannine again, is it Monday??" He has also made huge gains in only 5 months! I would highly recommend LLA and have already shared my experience with friends looking for services!

Victoria Hansford-Price

We are so grateful for our Speech Therapist Ms.Teal. We have seen a great improvement with our sons confidence and communication abilities since we have started "Prompt" therapy. What we love the most about LLA and Ms. Teal is that Kohl feels comfortable and relaxed which has played a critical role in his progress. Thank you Ms. Teal for all you have done.

Laura Lee Hogsett

They have helped in numerous ways. Speech, OT and behavioral. I've had numerous compliments on my son's progress thanks in very large part to LLA. I would recommend LLA before I recommend our local children's hospitals, though they are good, they don't have the staff that LLA does.

Amy Furukawa

We had a great experience with Matt Hagge at LLA! Our Middle School age son was becoming very conscious of his voice, which is nasal due to a cleft palate. Matt helped him to better form his sounds and project his voice in a way that makes the unavoidable nasality less noticeable.Our son is more confident and outgoing & even took on a speaking role in the church play. Matt has the perfect personality to relate with our son, and we would recommend him to anyone needing speech therapy services!

Jessica Havalotti

LLA Therapy has been an excellent experience for our daughter. I would highly recommend LLA. Miss Grace was so amazing and I can't believe how quickly our daughter showed improvement. Thank you!