Millie Speech

Where every voice shines

About | Mission & Values

The early years matter, and how a child learns to communicate during this time shapes how they show up in the world.

When children feel confident using their voice, they’re more likely to take part in the things that light them up: play, connection, learning, and eventually, the goals and dreams they grow into.

At Millie Speech Therapy, my mission is to help children build meaningful communication skills that support their confidence, relationships, and future opportunities. No child should miss out on experiences because they’re afraid to speak. I’m here to support the next generation, one voice, one moment, and one connection at a time.

Services

Communication Development

Helping kids connect, express, and build social confidence.

  • What this might look like

    • Difficulty with back-and-forth play

    • Limited expressive language

    • Strong interest in routines

    How we help

    • Play-based therapy, parent coaching, and visual supports tailored to your child

  • What this might look like

    • Delayed vocabulary or sentence formation

    • Difficulty understanding instructions

    • Struggling to answer questions or share ideas

    How We Help

    •  Engaging games and routines to grow vocabulary and sentence structure

    • Support for both understanding and expression

  • What this might look like

    • Trouble taking turns in conversation

    • Off-topic responses

    • Difficulty reading social cues

    How We Help

    • Role play, video modeling, and visual aids to improve social communication

    • Coaching for parents to practice skills at home

  • What this might look like

    • Limited or no verbal speech

    • Frustration when not understood

    • Uses pictures, signs, or a device to communicate

    How We Help

    • Support with communication systems like PECS or speech-generating devices

    • Collaboration with families to make communication functional

Speech Sound & Motor Speech Disorders

Making speech clearer and more confident, one sound at a time.

  • What this might look like

    • Inconsistent speech errors

    • Difficulty imitating words or sounds

    • Groping movements when trying to speak

    How We Help

    • Repetition, cueing, and movement-based strategies

    • Helping the brain-body connection for clearer speech

  • What this might look like

    • Unclear speech sounds

    • Difficulty being understood by unfamiliar listeners

    • Sound substitutions or omissions (e.g., 'wed' for 'red')

    How We Help

    • Fun and targeted sound practice through games and activities

    • Parent-friendly strategies to support practice at home

  • What this might look like

    • Slurred or slow speech

    • Low muscle tone in the face or mouth

    • Difficulty controlling breath for speech

    How We Help

    • Oral motor exercises and breath support strategies

    • Clear modeling and repetition in functional contexts

Fluency & Voice

  • What this might look like

    • Repeating sounds or words

    • Prolonging parts of words

    • Tension or struggle when speaking

    How We Help

    • Techniques to ease tension and increase fluency

    • Building confidence through structured conversation practice

  • What this might look like

    • Hoarse or breathy voice

    • Frequent throat clearing

    • Voice sounds too high, low, or monotone

    How We Help

    • Voice exercises to reduce strain and promote healthy habits

    • Education on vocal hygiene and proper technique

Helping kids speak with ease and confidence.

How Do We Support Your Child

Our sessions are individualized, evidence-based, and fun. We use movement, play, routines, and real-life situations to build lasting progress. We create meaningful progress through:

  • So you feel confident using speech and language strategies during everyday moments like playtime, meals, and routines.

  • We work closely with OTs, PTs, teachers, and ABA providers to ensure your child gets consistent, well-rounded support.

  • Therapy available in English and Spanish to support your child’s full language experience.

  • In-person and teletherapy sessions to fit your family’s schedule and comfort.

Meet Dianna

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist | Family-Centered | Neurodiversity-Affirming

Hi, I’m Dianna, a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist passionate about helping children of diverse backgrounds become the most confident communicators.

Education & Certification
I am a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and hold a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders from California State University, Northridge.

My Roots in Child Development
Before becoming a speech-language pathologist, I spent over 15 years working in child care. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how children learn, grow, and communicate in real-life settings. It continues to shape the way I connect with families and design strategies that feel practical, personal, and effective, both inside and outside of therapy sessions.

Who I Work With

I specialize in working with children from birth to age 13+, both in-person and through teletherapy. I support a wide range of communication needs including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, articulation and phonological disorders, stuttering, dysarthria, expressive/receptive language delays, fluency disorders, pragmatic (social) language challenges, AAC, cognitive-communication, and functional language development.

How I Work

Neurodiversity-Affirming. Collaborative. Parent-Focused.

My approach is family-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, and team-oriented. I believe every child has their own unique way of thinking, communicating, and connecting with the world—and that deserves to be supported, not changed.

I work closely with parents, caregivers, teachers, school-based SLPs, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and ABA professionals to provide consistent, well-rounded care.

Through parent coaching, I share tools and strategies that fit into your daily routines, whether it’s during playtime, meals, or getting ready for bed, because real progress happens when speech and language support continues beyond the session.

Culturally Responsive & Bilingual Care

Understanding the difference between a disorder and a difference

As a bilingual therapist, I recognize how language is shaped by a child’s family, culture, and environment. I take care to distinguish between true speech or language disorders and natural language differences that reflect a child’s background. I also make it a priority to connect families with resources that align with their values and goals.

Certifications & Clinical Expertise

Specialized training to support a variety of communication needs

I hold certifications in:

  • Hanen: It Takes Two to Talk

  • PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Musculature Phonetic Targets)

  • SATPAC and the Approach to Remediate Speech Sound Disorders

  • BASPA: Childhood Apraxia of Speech – Assessment & Treatment

I’m trained in administering and interpreting standardized assessments like the Rossetti, CELF-2, CELF-5, and GFTA-3, and have experience writing both formal and informal reports.

  • What Families Are Saying About Millie Speech

    “We are endlessly grateful for the incredible care, focus, and dedication Dianna has shown our child over the years. From the very beginning, she brought not only deep expertise but also an unwavering belief in our child’s potential. Dianna’s fierce advocacy across channels—whether with schools, specialists, or other providers—directly led to real progress and meaningful development.

    Under her guidance, we watched a quiet toddler blossom into a confident, curious, and engaged child who is now ready to take on the world. She didn’t just help our child find their voice—she helped me find mine as a parent, giving me the confidence and tools to better support my child every step of the way.

    Dianna has been a true North Star in our parenting journey. We recommend her wholeheartedly and without hesitation.”

    -A.M.

  • “It has been a pleasure working with Dianna. The trust and progress we've built, especially seeing my son go from saying no words to now using over 15 words, and still growing, is something we will always be thankful for. Dianna’s care and dedication have made a significant impact, and we’re so glad to have her as part of our journey.” – V.F.

See why families trust Millie Speech-read their reviews on Google.

Outside the therapy room, here’s what keeps me smiling...

  • I love being out in nature and exploring the beauty of national parks.

  • Cuddling and going on walks with my pup Tux.

  • I love celebrating life with my beautiful family.

  • I enjoy salsa dancing. It brings me joy and keeps me moving.

  • I'm a big fan of movies, Star Wars, and anything LEGO.

  • Picked up skiing this year and made it to Gold Coast. Proof that growth starts where comfort ends.

Let’s Talk

Schedule your free consultation today— I’d love to hear from you!

Millie Speech is a private-pay practice and is not currently in-network with insurance providers. However, we’re happy to provide superbills upon request, which you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement through your out-of-network benefits.

Please note that reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your individual insurance plan.