Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricia Stone-Shumaker.
Hi Tricia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in a military family, and moved throughout the United States during my childhood, moving every 1 1/2 to 3 years to different Naval bases. I have been to all 50 states. I officially set root in Central California where I spent most of my high school years. I decided to build my own speech therapy private practice that services the tri-county area of the Central Valley (Kings, Tulare, and Fresno Counties). 75% of the patients are military families that we serve.
As a single mother of two sons, I decided to go back to school and fulfill my dream of becoming a speech language pathologist. I received my Bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Studies, all while raising my grade-school aged sons. It was tough several years balancing family life, being a full-time mother and trying to fit in working odd jobs during my already full day.
I did it though, through sure willpower, perseverance, and GRIT! My sons gave me a purpose in life. Both of my sons grew up attending speech therapy in a variety of settings. My oldest son had a severe tongue thrust, which led me to the speech language pathology profession. He is now a graduate of the United States Military Academy and is now an officer in the US Army. My youngest son also followed the military route and is serving overseas in the US Air Force.
I am now a business owner of a thriving therapy private practice, thanks to my dear friend, mentor, and colleague, Ashley Bonkovsky, who helped coach me while I opened my own practice. She has a thriving therapy clinic in Layton, Utah.
I am also a children’s book author (www.poppythechicken.com), and have a small hobby farm with my husband, Scott. We have a special needs chicken who I have to hand-feed daily named Poppy. I incorporate my special needs chicken into my speech therapy practice. He comes to work with me weekly. The families that we serve see Poppy as their mascot of the special needs population. I have found a way to blend my career and love for chickens together, especially considering I also provide feeding therapy in my clinic.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a single mom of two young children presented many challenges. I needed to figure out how to work and make money in order to stay afloat and also incorporate attending college full time. It was a real struggle trying to figure out the daily schedule. At the time, both of my sons and I went to schools in different neighboring towns. So our mornings started very early with a triangle of drop-offs before I made it to my school, which was 45 minutes away from home. Some days I have classes all day and some days I had night courses to attend. There are many occasions when my sons come to class with me. They completed their homework during my night courses. Looking back I wondered how all of the scheduling worked out, but it did!
Bullet points:
– struggled to make ends meet
– didn’t have a consistent job that would be willing to work around my school schedule
– I worked very part time as a substitute school teacher on days that fit into the calendar
– I was on government assistance as a full time student
As you know, we’re big fans of ACCESS Speech Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Speech therapy private practice (www.stonespeech.com)
I received my Bachelor’s degree as well as her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders and Deaf Studies from Fresno State. I have experience working with all ages, infants through geriatric years. My main focus remains on the pediatric population, primarily working with early intervention, orofacial myofunctional disorders, feeding therapy and autism populations. My clinical experience includes providing services in the home, clinic, preschool, and medical settings.
I have evaluated and treated patients of various ages and delays associated with the following: feeding disorders, speech/language delay, autism, various genetic disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson’s, voice, childhood apraxia of speech, Down syndrome, cleft lip/palate.
I am licensed to practice speech-language pathology in the state of California, and have my Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
I have two sons in military careers. Both of my sons grew up attending speech therapy in a variety of settings. Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is near and dear to my heart because my son had a severe tongue thrust, which led me to the speech language pathology profession. when my son was a toddler If you’re looking for kindness and compassion, I am the therapist to manage your speech therapy needs. I have the combined perspective of a parent and therapist when it comes to speech therapy and orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Trainings/Certifications/Awards:
Hanen Certified – It Takes Two to Talk® – (Early Intervention)
Hanen Certified – More Than Words® – (Autism)
Understanding the Orofacial Complex with Kristie Gatto
4-Day Comprehensive Pre-Certification Training Course
2020
ASHA ACE (Award for Continuing Education) award recipient
Board Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) – IBCCES
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stonespeech.com and www.poppythechicken.com
- Instagram: @poppysadventures1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accessspeechtherapyinc
Image Credits
Tricia Stone-Shumaker
Scott Shumaker
Saki Design
