Speech therapy that feels like play

Empowering families across Brooklyn and Manhattan

Welcome to Early Bird Speech Therapy! We provide therapy where children learn and grow best—in the comfort of their home, in daycare or school, or in the community. By combining playful, engaging activities with evidence-based techniques, we make each session meaningful and motivating. Parents, siblings, and caregivers are active partners in the process, so progress extends beyond our sessions and into everyday life.

Meet Our Team!

Jill Lese, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Hi! I’m Jill Lese, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, and the founder of Early Bird Speech Therapy. Early Bird Speech Therapy was founded upon the idea that families are the heart of a child’s progress. While I have worked in private practice, schools, and Early Intervention, my true passion lies in treating children in their natural environments—whether at home, daycare, school, or in the community. I thrive on family connections and pride myself on the strong relationships I develop with the children and families I serve.

My background is rooted in both science and creativity. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis, followed by a Master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University, where I developed my love for play-based therapy. I am NLA-, DTTC-, and level 1 PROMPT-trained, and have ample experience working with children with a wide variety of diagnoses, including Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Articulation/Phonology Disorders, Mixed Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders, cognitive disabilities, and feeding challenges. There is rarely a session where I am not heard singing or seen dancing!

Samantha Barbara
MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD

Hi! I’m Samantha Barbara, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, and the heart of my work lies in helping children and their families build meaningful connections through multi-modal communication. I believe families are at the center of a child’s growth, and I love partnering with them to make progress feel natural and lasting.

My journey began at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and continued at New York University, where I completed my Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Since then, I’ve focused my career on early intervention and preschool settings, specializing in expressive, receptive, and pragmatic language development, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

I’m passionate about making each session playful and engaging while tailoring every activity to a child’s unique strengths. By weaving in music, movement, and plenty of laughter, I strive to create a warm, supportive environment where children grow with confidence and families feel supported every step of the way.

Our Philosopy

At Early Bird Speech Therapy, we believe that play and connection are the foundation for successful communication! Every session takes place in the child’s most natural setting—whether that’s their home, school, daycare, or community. We use a blend of your child’s own toys and surroundings, along with carefully chosen therapeutic materials, creating a supportive environment that sparks engagement and learning.

We are passionate about partnering with families throughout the treatment process and view parents, siblings, and caregivers as equal members of the child’s therapeutic team. Your insights and participation are at the heart of our approach, ensuring that therapy strategies fit seamlessly into daily routines.

Early Bird Speech Therapy is a neurodiversity-affirming practice. We celebrate children’s differences, honor their special interests, and embrace the unique ways they learn and communicate. Our therapists follow a total communication philosophy—welcoming verbal speech, gestures, visuals, and augmentative and alternative communication devices—so every child has a voice. Through curiosity and creativity, we take a strengths-based approach, building upon what children can already do to help them grow into confident, capable communicators.

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