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
Hi! I’m Jill Lese, MS, CCC-SLP, and the founder of Early Bird Speech Therapy. I started Early Bird Speech Therapy because I believe families are at the heart of a child’s progress. While I have worked in private practice, schools, and Early Intervention, my true passion lies in supporting children in their natural environments—whether at home, daycare, school, or in the community. I love building meaningful relationships with the children and families I serve, and one of my favorite parts of this work is discovering what motivates each child to build therapy around their unique strengths and interests.
I specialize in working with toddlers and young children with speech and language delays, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), articulation and phonological disorders, gestalt language processing, Autism, and AAC. My therapy is play-based, child-led, and individualized to meet each child's unique communication needs.
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 trained in Natural Language Acquisition (NLA), DTTC, and PROMPT and am passionate about continuing education so I can provide the most current, evidence-based care to the families I serve.
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.
Amelia "Mimi" Kramer
MA, CCC-SLP
Hi! I'm Amelia ("Mimi"), a licensed pediatric speech-language pathologist who believes therapy works best when it meets each child exactly where they are. Drawing on my experience in early intervention, pediatric care, and nature-based therapy, I build child-led sessions around each child's unique interests, strengths, and way of communicating rather than expecting them to fit into a predetermined mold. My approach is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming care, and I believe every child's communication style is valid. I strive to create sessions that follow each child's cues, curiosity, and pace, allowing trust and genuine connection to drive progress.
Music has always been an important part of my life, both as a performer and as a therapeutic tool. I love incorporating rhythm, songs, and playful sound-based activities into sessions, using music's natural connection to language development to make therapy engaging, meaningful, and fun.
I earned my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and my Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Outside of work, you'll usually find me making music, crafting, or spending time outdoors — interests that inspire the creativity, curiosity, and playfulness I bring to every session.
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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