download the May 2011 issue (PDF). - Inside Chappaqua

Real Talk with.....Isa Marrs
By Donna Abemayor
As I entered the office of Isa
Marrs, MA CCC-SLP, board certified
speech language pathologist,
I found her friendly waiting area
decorated with primary color
furniture and children’s toys and
books a warm welcoming environment.
Children played in the
waiting area with their parents,
while others were participating
in children’ groups, and the sound
of children’s laughter was heard
throughout the office.
In the Beginning
Isa knew from the time she was
a teenager that wanted to be a
speech language pathologist. At
age 15, she took a summer position
at Jawanio in New City, New York,
as a teacher’s aide for preschool
children with special needs. Isa
describes seeing a speech language
pathologist with a preschool child
at a picnic table.
She reports “at that moment” she
decided she wanted to work with
children with special needs and
be a speech language pathologist.
She obtained a Masters Degree in
Communication Disorders from
New Mexico State University and
became a board certified speech
pathologist.
In 1999, she began working with
Etoile LeBlanc, world-renowned
expert in the area of craniofacial
speech disorders. In 2003, she
opened her own practice, Isa Marrs
Speech Language Pathology in
Valhalla and in 2007, her current
office in Briarcliff.
Isa has in-depth experience treating
children with a wide-variety of
medical conditions and genetics
syndromes, but not limited to Cleft
Palate, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida,
Downs Syndrome, Trisomy 18,
Aperts Syndrome, Traumatic Brain
Injury, Fragile X, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome,
and Autism.
14 Inside Chappaqua May 2011
The Balancing Act
Isa Marrs has been practicing
speech language pathology for
nearly 20 years. As a mother of
4 1/2 year old Maya and 18 month
old Aaron, she manages to balance
the demands of her growing practice
and parenting. Isa, along with
her husband Jason assume almost
all of the caretaking of their two
children. She often brings her children
to work. Maya and Aaron can
often be found playing in her office
or participating in groups within
her practice. When her children
are not with her, they can be found
with their dad, Jason, participating
in an array of activities. Isa
reports that “being a parent” helps
you to truly relate to other parents
and grandparents. “Understanding
their struggles and appreciating
their efforts” is an important part
of her communication with parents
and grandparents.
Innovative Programs
Isa has developed an array of programs
for children with speech language
disorders. Two of these programs
are Where I Can Be Me and
Jumpstart Talking. Where I Can Be
Me is a social skills program that is
facilitated by board certified speech
pathologists and utilizes behavior
techniques, social communication,
music, art, and social skills training
to improve a child’s play skills,
social interaction and behavior.
Isa describes “teachable moments”
that emerge when working with
children in groups that incorporate
art, play, and other social
activities. For further information
about this program, go to
www. WhereICanBeMe.com. Another
creative program that Isa
has developed is Jumpstart Talking.
This program is designed
for children who are late talkers
and often get “lost in the shuffle
in traditional preschool.” This
engaging communication based
program is designed to get children
talking while preparing them for
school. For further information, go
to www.JumpstartTalking.com
Practice made Perfect
Isa feels that the best ways to
assess the effectiveness of speech
language therapy are testimonials
by families that have utilized her
practice. Currently, she has seven
board certified speech language
pathologists and a special educator
who is a reading therapist that are
part of her practice. Isa’s philosophy
is for the therapists to deliver
“one-hundred and twenty percent”
when working with children and
families.
Isa feels this can be done by
continuing to review and assess
the engagement process; asking
such questions as “ What can I do
different with this child and family?”;
and “ How, as a therapist, can
I be more creative?” Isa’s goal is to
deliver “quality care” which is evident
from families that come from
as far away as Putnam County.,
Connecticut, and New Jersey. Isa
Marrs Speech Language Pathology
is located at 127 Woodside Avenue,
Suite 201 Briarcliff, New York.
You can call her directly at 914-
488-5282. Visit her on the web at
www.SpeechLanguageFeeding.com
Donna Abemayor is a frequent
writer for Inside Chappaqua.