Meet the Team
Alexandra Sorce, M.S., CCC-SLP
Co-founder, Speech-Language Pathologist
Alexandra is a New Jersey licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and the co-founder of Little Sprouts Pediatric Therapy LLC. She is a nationally certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence. Alexandra graduated from Sacred Heart University with a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She completed her undergraduate education in Health Science and Communication Disorders at Stockton University, and she also holds a Teaching Certificate for Elementary English Language Arts through the State of New Jersey Education Department.
Alexandra has had the opportunity to work in various settings, including Early Intervention, Pre-School, Elementary, and Middle school settings, as well as pediatric private practice. She specializes in providing evaluations and therapeutic intervention for a variety of disorders, including articulation and phonological disorders, receptive and expressive language disorders, fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorder, gestalt language processing, feeding and swallowing disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, auditory processing disorder, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, visual impairments, and developmental disabilities.
Alexandra is passionate about child-led therapy and meeting her clients at their level. She loves incorporating play, music, art, and sensory activities into her therapy sessions to keep children engaged and help them learn. She believes one of the greatest blessings of being an SLP is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.
In her free time, she enjoys serving on her church’s worship team, spending time at the beach, hunting for sea glass, traveling with her husband, and visiting new coffee shops.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing)
ReST (Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment)
TOTS (Tethered Oral Tissues)
Dr. Kay Toomey’s SOS (Sequential-Oral-Sensory) Approach to Feeding
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
The Get Permission Approach to Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes
NLA (Natural Language Acquisition)
Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding
BLS/CPR Certified
Co-founder, Speech-Language Pathologist
Christina Shannon, M.S., CCC-SLP
Christina is a New Jersey licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and the co-founder of Little Sprouts Pediatric Therapy LLC. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Christina received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and continued her studies there to later receive a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2020.
Throughout her professional career, Christina has worked with a diverse population. Her clinical experiences consist of providing services to individuals and evaluating and treating a variety of disorders, including articulation/phonological disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorder, feeding and swallowing disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, hearing impairments, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Down syndrome. While in her graduate program, Christina led support/social groups for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, children and young adults with hearing impairments, and children and young adults with Down syndrome.
Christina has had the opportunity to provide services in daycares, schools, private practice, and teletherapy settings. Her passion for the private practice setting has continued to grow over the years, which led her to establish Little Sprouts Pediatric Therapy LLC. She enjoys collaborating with other professionals and building relationships with families to provide the best possible therapy for each child. Christina believes that caregivers are a vital part of the team, and she provides strategies and activities to facilitate speech and language development in the home for carryover. Christina values the child-led therapy approach in order to provide a fun and motivating environment for children while targeting their goals and objectives.
In her free time, Christina enjoys riding her Peloton bike and traveling with her fiance and Bernese Mountain Dog, Theo.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
Dr. Kay Toomey’s Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding
TalkTools Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing)
Gestalt Language Processing
Experience working with AAC programs such as Proloquo2Go, GoTalk Now, TouchChat, Picture Exchanges System (PECS), and Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
BLS/CPR Certified
Ashley Ayrer, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Ashley is a New Jersey licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, as well as a nationally certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence. Ashley graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Stockton University and completed her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders with Nova Southeastern University.
Ashley has over 10 years experience as an SLP and has had the opportunity to work in various settings including Early Intervention (in-home), Private Practice, Preschools, Daycares, Play Groups, Elementary Schools. She has also spent time treating the adult community, servicing Skilled Nursing Facilities and Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. She specializes in early language development, after falling in love with this age group! Ashley has experience evaluating and treating various disorders including articulation, receptive and expressive language delays, fluency disorders, Autism spectrum disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Down syndrome and developmental disabilities.
Ashley has experience working within homes of families of many different ethnicities, religions and backgrounds, including multilingual households. Her passion for child-led therapy includes teacher and family involvement, as she strongly believes speech and language abilities develop best when everyone is supportive of the child’s needs. Ashley enjoys playing various activities during sessions, providing a simple work aspect in order to see children thrive in therapy while targeting their goals.
Ashley is a mother to a child with non-speaking autism, who uses an AAC device to communicate with others. She believes every child deserves a voice and the utmost respect, no matter what. In her free time, Ashley enjoys learning new ways to improve her child’s life, spending time with her family and going to the gym.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
Early Intervention State Certified
Experience with AbleNet to obtain AAC devices
Extensive experience working with AAC programs, including Proloquo2Go and TouchChat
Danielle Fallon-O’Leary, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Danielle is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who brings creativity, compassion, and a strong family-centered approach to every session. She is a nationally certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, holding her Certificate of Clinical Competence. Danielle graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. She completed her undergraduate education at New York University as well, where she majored in Communicative Sciences and a minor in Psychology.
Danielle has extensive experience working with children, supporting a wide range of needs including speech sound disorders, language delays, fluency, feeding, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Danielle is passionate about making therapy engaging, meaningful, and functional, while empowering caregivers through education and collaboration. Danielle has worked across private practice, preschool, school-based, and tele-health settings, and is trained in approaches such as Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition, PROMPT, DTTC, Sensory-Motor Feeding Approach and multiple AAC systems.
Danielle is known for her warm personality and ability to connect with both children and families. She strives to help each child build confidence and find their voice. Outside of therapy, she enjoys blending her creative background in writing and content creation, as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
DTTC (Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing)
Meaningful Speech Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition
Experience working with AAC programs such as Proloquo2Go, GoTalk Now, TouchChat, Picture Exchanges System (PECS), and TobiiDynavox/Snap + Core
Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding
Celeste DeRose, M.S., CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Celeste is a warm, enthusiastic Speech-Language Pathologist who brings a thoughtful and compassionate approach to every child she works with. Celeste graduated from Stockton University with a master’s degree in Communication Disorders. She completed her undergraduate education at Stockton University as well, where she majored in Pre-Communication Disorders and Childhood Studies. Celeste has completed advanced coursework in diagnostic methods, neurological bases of communication, dysphagia, AAC, and medical speech pathology.
Celeste has experience working with both children and adults across a variety of clinical environments, including preschool and elementary schools, private practice, inpatient acute care at Virtua Memorial Hospital. Celeste gained hands-on experience treating a variety of communication disorders, including providing telehealth. She brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to therapy and values building strong connections with her clients and their families. She is trained in MBSImP, TouchChat with WordPower, and holds current BLS/CPR certification.
Celeste has a special passion for early intervention and loves helping young children build strong communication skills during their earliest stages of development. She enjoys creating playful, engaging sessions that feel natural and fun while supporting language growth through everyday routines and interactions. Celeste values partnering closely with families and believes that empowering caregivers is key to helping children thrive beyond the therapy session. Her nurturing personality and positive energy help children feel comfortable, confident, and excited to communicate. Celeste completed her clinical training in both pediatric and medical settings, giving her a well-rounded perspective and strong foundation in assessment and treatment.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
MBSImP (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile)
Experience working with AAC programs such as TouchChat with WordPower
BLS/CPR Certified
Jill Hirshblond, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jill is a highly experienced speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of clinical practice across school-based, outpatient, inpatient rehabilitation, and acute care settings. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from The College of New Jersey and is licensed to practice in the state of New Jersey.
Jill brings extensive expertise in evaluating and treating children and adults with a wide range of communication and swallowing disorders. Her school-based experience includes providing speech-language services to preschool and school-age children, participating in multidisciplinary evaluations, and collaborating closely with Child Study Teams to develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs). She has supported students with articulation, language, and autism spectrum disorders, while maintaining a strong focus on family education and team collaboration.
In medical settings, Jill has worked in acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and outpatient clinics, providing comprehensive speech-language and dysphagia services to medically complex populations. Her clinical background includes significant experience with bedside swallow evaluations and Modified Barium Swallow Studies, as well as treatment of patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, voice disorders, and cognitive-communication impairments. She has served both adult and pediatric patients in outpatient settings, allowing her to maintain a well-rounded clinical perspective.
Earlier in her career, Jill held the role of Lead Speech-Language Pathologist at Southern Ocean Medical Center, where she not only provided direct patient care but also developed and implemented new programs, policies, and procedures to support departmental growth and quality of care. Known for her organization, attention to detail, and compassionate approach, Jill creates individualized treatment plans that are both evidence-based and practical for clients and families. Jill values strong relationships with her clients, families, and interdisciplinary teams, and is committed to providing thoughtful, effective therapy that supports meaningful communication and functional outcomes across settings.
Advanced Trainings & Certifications:
PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)
Early Intervention State Certified
MBSImP (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Trained in Passy Muir/Trach Care for Speech and Swallowing
Trained in VitalStim/sEMG
LSVT Loud!
BLS/CPR Certified
Meaningful Speech Gestalt Language Processing/Natural Language Acquisition (In Process)
