Meet The MMTA Team
Lynn Medley, M.S., CCC-SLP
Communication Specialist, Co-Director of MMTA, Master clinician-
Lynn is a co-director at MMTA, where she does direct speech-language therapy and evaluations, supervises evaluations and groups, and is in charge of community outreach. She earned her undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University and her Master’s Degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At UNC, she received additional training in TEACCH, sensory Integration, and applied behavioral analysis principles. In 1995 Lynn moved to Baltimore as the first employee at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders of the Kennedy Krieger Institute. During her time at CARD as a communication specialist, later as the Clinical Director, and eventually Assistant Director, Lynn assisted in starting the Achievements Therapeutic Day Program, consulted to school systems in several states, lectured internationally, and provided expert witness services for autistic individuals and their families. From 1999-2000 Lynn served as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Continued Studies in Business and Education at Johns Hopkins University, where she taught students in the Master's Certificate Program in Autism, the first of its kind in the country. Early in 2002 Lynn moved to Pennsylvania and opened a private practice serving individuals with autism, and, in 2005, partnered with Janice Mesaric to open MMTA. Lynn continues to specialize in social engagement and social cognition across ages and diagnoses, in clinic and educational settings.
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Undergraduate Degree: Vanderbilt University
Master’s Degree: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
ASHA Certified
PA and DE State Licenses
Founded MMTA in 2005
Jan Mesaric M.S., CCC-SLP
Communication Specialist, Co-Director of MMTA, master clinician-
With more than 20 years of experience working with autistic individuals, Jan brings both research and clinical experience to her roles as a treating speech-language pathologist, clinical supervisor, personnel manager, and office overseer of MMTA. After earning both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Loyola University in Baltimore, she began her career there at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. At KKI, Jan participated in research, multi-disciplinary evaluations, and individual therapy, taught in the Achievements Therapeutic Day Program, and lectured at the local and state levels. In 2002, Janice moved to San Francisco, CA where she worked at SPEECH, Inc., a private pediatric speech-therapy practice, initially as a staff clinician, later as a clinical supervisor and the practice’s clinical specialist in autism, and eventually as the acting Assistant Director. There she provided direct therapy to a continuum of ages ranging from 12 months to 21 years, and to a wide spectrum of neurological and genetic disabilities. In July of 2005 Janice moved to the Philadelphia area to join forces with Lynn Medley to form MMTA. Here she specializes in working with children with oral motor needs, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and with individuals with social engagement and social cognition deficits ranging from toddlers through young adults. Her passion is working with those individuals who clearly have something to say but haven’t yet found their voice.
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Undergraduate Degree: Loyola University, Baltimore
Master’s Degree: Loyola University, Baltimore
ASHA Certified
Listed in Apraxia Kids Directory of Providers
PA State License
Founded MMTA in 2005
Brittany O'Brien, M.A., CCC-SLP
Communication Specialist, Senior Clinician-
Brittany joined MMTA in 2015 after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with honors from Pennsylvania State University, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language-Hearing Science from Temple University. Her diverse experience includes working with children and adults in public schools, specialized schools, private practice, and skilled nursing facilities. At MMTA, Brittany offers individual and group therapy services, specializing in AAC, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and social cognition, while overseeing the AAC clinic. She extends her expertise to Capstone Academy in East Norriton and provides consultative services and trainings to schools in AAC, CAS, social engagement, and social cognition. Passionate about empowering children and families, Brittany is committed to fostering communicative, social, and academic success across all environments, helping children discover their voices.
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Undergraduate Degree: Pennsylvania State University
Master’s Degree: Temple University
ASHA Certified
PA State License
Joined MMTA in 2015
Alexa Busler, M.A., CCC-SLP
Communication Specialist, Senior Clinician-
Alexa's journey in speech therapy began during her psychology studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she discovered her passion for working with children. After earning her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology in 2015, she gained diverse experience in schools, outpatient offices, and hospitals. Specializing in pediatric care, Alexa has focused on autism, fluency disorders, apraxia of speech, articulation/phonological disorder, and language delays. Since joining MMTA in 2017, she conducts evaluations and offers therapy, with interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders, early language development, CAS, and the intersection between sensory processing and speech and language. Trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) and Gestalt Language Processing, Alexa also provides community-based therapy for children aged birth to 3 years old.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Pittsburgh
Master’s Degree: University of Pittsburgh
ASHA Certified
Listed in Natural Language Acquisition Directory of Providers
PA State License
Joined MMTA in 2017
Valentina Giribaldi, M.A., CCC-SLP
communication specialist, Clinician-
Valentina joined MMTA in June of 2023, starting her career as a speech-language pathologist. She received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Temple University. At MMTA, Valentina provides individual therapy services to toddlers, children, and young teens, both in the clinic and at Capstone Academy. Her areas of interest include Child Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC), and teaching functional communication skills for home and community. She attributes her passion for self-expression and communication, in whatever form that may take, to her love of and involvement in theater.
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Undergraduate Degree: Temple University
Master’s Degree: Temple University
ASHA Certified
PA State License
Joined MMTA in 2023
Leah Hunter, M.A., CF-SLP
communication specialist, Clinician-
Leah joined MMTA as a clinical fellow in September of 2024, starting her career as a speech-language pathologist. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and recently graduated with her masters in speech-language pathology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Leah joined best buddies in high school where she was introduced to individuals with communication differences which ultimately led her to a career in speech-language pathology. While in graduate school, Leah provided speech and language therapy to clients ages 1 ½- 85 years of age in a variety of settings. At MMTA, Leah provides individualized therapy services in both the clinic and at Capstone Academy. Leah’s interests include AAC, social communication, and early language development. One of Leah’s favorite parts of therapy is building rapport with clients and creating meaningful ways to address their needs.
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Undergraduate Degree: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Master’s Degree: West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Joined MMTA in 2024
Meet Our Part-Time Staff
Alex Stec, M.S., CCC-SLP
PART-TIME Clinician-
Alex joined MMTA as a clinical fellow in 2021. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing from Temple University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Emerson College. She remained at MMTA full time after becoming fully licensed until taking a job in a school district closer to her home in Maryland. She continues to provide individual therapy services virtually through MMTA. Her primary area of interest is social cognition, particularly teaching social and relationship-building skills in adolescence. She has had a passion for working with children all her life and attributes her love for speech pathology to her younger sister, who received speech services as a child.
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Undergraduate Degree: Temple University
Master’s Degree: Emerson College
ASHA Certified
PA and MD State License
Joined MMTA in 2021
Laura Giglio, M.A., CCC-SLP
PART-TIME Clinician-
Laura completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Temple University. As a graduate student clinician, Laura worked with adults and children with a range of disorders and speech and language impairments including aphasia, dysphagia, voice disorders, and autism spectrum disorder, had specialty training in childhood apraxia of speech, and presented case study research of gender-affirming voice therapy to faculty and fellow graduate students. Before joining MMTA, Laura worked at Mariana Bracetti Academy and at Elwyn’s Davidson School. In February of 2020, Laura joined MMTA as a full-time clinician, and in 2023 transitioned to working full-time in early intervention, first in Delaware County and now in Philadelphia. She continues to work part-time at MMTA, providing teletherapy to clients. She provides speech and language services to clients with a variety of difficulties and disorders. Her areas of interest include childhood apraxia of speech, early language development, and social cognition.
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Undergraduate Degree: Temple University
Master’s Degree: Temple University
Joined MMTA in 2020
ASHA Certified
PA and SC State License
Jill Hendricks, M.A., CCC-SLP
PART-TIME Clinician-
Jill received both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science from Temple University. Jill worked in schools, early intervention home care, and transgender voice therapy, and supervised graduate student clinicians as a clinical instructor prior to joining MMTA in 2015 as a full-time clinician. In 2021, Jill took a new job as Local Education Agency Representative – Speech Language Pathologist (LEA-SLP) for Elwyn Early Learning Services in Philadelphia, and stayed on at MMTA as a part-time therapist. As an LEA-SLP, Jill works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to develop therapy plans that align with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for children in Philadelphia. Jill enjoys shining light on individuals’ unique talents and strengths, and collaborating with other professionals and family members to help each individual reach their full potential.
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Undergraduate Degree: Temple University
Master’s Degree: Temple University
Joined MMTA in 2015
ASHA Certified
PA State License
Lindsay Bacalles, M.S., CCC-SLP
PART-TIME Clinician-
Lindsay attended Penn State University as an undergraduate and earned her master's degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, graduating with distinctive honors. While in graduate school, she provided speech and language therapy to clients in a variety of settings and did research in early literacy. After graduate school, she worked in the Howard County Public School System in Maryland. Since 2009, Lindsay has worked for Central Bucks School District, gaining experience with both the elementary and middle school populations. Lindsay joined MMTA in the winter of 2010 to provide 1:1 and small group therapy to our after-school clients. She is currently pursuing her ESL Certification from Eastern University to gain more of an understanding in the development of English as a Second Language.
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Undergraduate Degree: Penn State University
Graduate Degree: Hofstra University
In process of getting ESL certification from Eastern University
ASHA Certified
PA State License
Joined MMTA in 2010
Laura DePallo
OFFICE MANAGER-
Laura has a BS in Public Health Education from West Chester University, and an MBA in Health Care Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Laura joined the staff of MMTA in early 2018 after a long career as a medical practice manager in Dermatology and Mohs Surgery specialties. She wanted to work part-time in a healthcare setting and in some capacity with children and young adults. Laura manages our practice and has an excellent rapport with the clients and their families.
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Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Public Health Education from West Chester University
Graduate Degree: MBA in Healthcare Management from University of Massachusetts
Joined MMTA in 2018
we empower excellence in our slpsInterested in joining our team?
Join our practice to experience a collaborative environment where weekly internal meetings delve into research and clinical inquiries, ensuring ongoing professional growth. You will assume the role of a dedicated case manager overseeing each client's goals and data management. We also provide opportunities for mentorship and community outreach. At MMTA, we’re committed to delivering highly skilled and compassionate care to every client.
WORK WITH USWe have a high level of expertise in working with individuals with complex communication profiles
We are known for comprehensive communication evaluations, for our individualized, data-driven clinic work with children, adolescents, and young adults, and for our unique training and school consultation to professionals in educational settings, both public and private. The spectrum of services MMTA provides is unparalleled in our region.