Hi, I’m Amanda Williams
I am the owner and founder of Thrive Pediatric Therapy. As a speech-language pathologist, I have years of experience working with children and young adults in private practice, outpatient clinics, and private school settings. I graduated summa cum laude from West Chester University with my bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders and minors in Spanish and Linguistics. I continued my education at Towson University, where I received my Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology. I am certified by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and I am licensed to practice as a speech-language pathologist in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. I frequently collaborate with professionals within a variety of disciplines to develop comprehensive plans of care for my patients.
I am proud have been awarded the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) by completing over seventy hours of continuing education in the span of two years. Receiving an ACE award is a testament to my commitment to lifelong learning and growth as a speech-language pathologist.
As a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, I understand that neurological differences are something to be celebrated, not changed. When working with autistic and neurodiverse children, I support their unique strengths and celebrate their differences. I always ensure to value connection over compliance. I am trained in the Natural Language Acquisition Framework for gestalt language processing, which allows me to support children toward producing self-generated language.
It is my belief that speech and language goals are best met in natural contexts that are truly representative of a child’s day to day experiences. For this reason, I use a child led, play-based therapy approach for children of all ages. I incorporate my speech and language goals into activities that are engaging and motivating for my patients. I also work closely with my families to ensure carryover of skills into the home environment. I pride myself in my ability to form lasting relationships with my patients and their families that are built on mutual trust and understanding.
Speech and language therapy is my passion, and nothing makes me happier than seeing my patients grow and thrive. When I am not seeing patients, you can find me relaxing on the beach, training for marathons, and re-reading my favorite novels over and over again. I love spending time with my friends and family, vacationing at the Jersey shore, and petting as many dogs as I can.
