ABBY WELCH | M.Ed, CCC-SLP
Abby graduated with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, a DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech Language Pathology and a NC State License as issued by the NC Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
Abby has worked with children of all ages representing a variety of communication disorders, including articulation, apraxia of speech, Autism Spectrum Disorder, stuttering, and receptive and expressive language delays. Abby enjoys working with the pediatric population, with a special interest in early intervention for speech and language development. She loves to work with children and their families to plan motivating activities in play-based sessions to help children achieve their communication goals. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring new places with her husband, daughter, Ellison, and Maxie the dog. Abby fosters her creative side through her painting and calligraphy-based Etsy shop. She can’t wait to meet you and help your child better communicate with the world around them!
KATTER LONGSHORE | MS, CCC-SLP
Katter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders at the University of Alabama and a Master of Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Mississippi. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology.
Katter completed her graduate externships at Bramlett Elementary School and the University of Mississippi Speech and Hearing clinic in Oxford, MS where she gained clinical experience working with the pediatric population in both a preschool and outpatient clinic. She has clinical experience working with children with articulation, language, and developmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
Katter’s main career goal is to make a continuous positive difference in the lives of children and the families of children with speech and language disorders. Her favorite tool to use in therapy is Articulation Chipper Chat and Articulation Tickle Stories Mad Libs. Katter also loves "Pete the Cat" books! In her free time, Katter enjoys trying new recipes, reading fiction books, going to concerts, exploring D.C., and traveling!
201 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., C-9, Washington, D.C. 20002 | 202-544-5469 | leslie.humes@capitolkidstherapy.com
Copyright 2015. Capital Kids Therapy, LLC. All rights reserved.
MEET OUR TEAM OF PEDIATRIC SPEECH THERAPISTS
BIANCA LORETI | M.S. CCC-SLP
Bianca received her Bachelor’s degree from the Florida State University where she majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In 2015, she graduated with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from University of South Florida. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, the DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology, and the Virginia State License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health Professions.
Since beginning her career, Bianca has worked with children of all ages with a wide range of speech, language, and swallowing disorders including articulation, phonological disorders, receptive-expressive language delays, autism spectrum disorder, motor speech disorders, AAC, fluency, and oral motor, sensory-motor, and behavioral feeding disorders. Bianca’s passion for feeding/swallowing disorders has led her to pursue various certifications and continuing education courses such as Feeding Therapy: It’s Not Just About Swallowing, 3-Part Treatment Plan for Oral Placement Therapy (Talk Tools), Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach (Talk Tools), The Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S.) Approach to Feeding, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorder: A Medical, Motor, Behavioral Approach, and Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention.
Recently married, Bianca and her husband, Chase, enjoy walking their dog, Luka, around Arlington and DC exploring new parks, restaurants, and museums. Bianca also enjoys running, traveling, and reading.
Bianca enjoys using books throughout therapy to target a variety of skills. Her favorite books are lift-the-flap books such as "Where's Spot?" which can be used to target core words, animal/household vocabulary, yes/no questions, prepositions, and much more! Bianca can't wait to read with you!
EMILY FREILICH | M.S. CCC-SLP
Emily graduated in 2015 with a Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Boston University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan in 2010. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology.
Emily’s experience with children of all ages has included assessing and treating expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation/ phonological disorders, disorders in social aspects of communication, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and stuttering. She worked at a charter elementary school in Philadelphia with children from kindergarten through sixth grade for four years. Prior to gaining her Speech Pathology Degree, she led social skills groups for children aged six through eleven as a research assistant at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders.
Emily grew up in Chevy Chase and enjoys being back in the DC area. She loves traveling and hiking. In her free time, you can find Emily experimenting with new recipes or in the front row at Soul Cycle!
Our Staff
LESLIE W. HUMES | MS, CCC-SLP | FOUNDER OF CAPITOL KIDS THERAPY
leslie.humes@capitolkidstherapy.com
Leslie graduated in 1999 with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association as well as the DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology. Leslie has worked in the public schools and DC public charter schools providing therapy for children with special education services. Leslie has also worked with private clients in both the home, school and daycare settings. She is PROMPT trained, specializes in oral-motor/feeding therapy and embraces a play-based approach. Leslie has experience working with children from birth through pre-teen who exhibit delays in speech and language development, dyspraxia, feeding disorders, autism spectrum disorder, phonemic awareness/reading problems and stuttering disorders. As the practice owner, Leslie mentors the staff and enjoys being a resource for both parents, teachers, and colleagues. She conducts evaluations, observations, consultations and embraces the opportunity to substitute for staff members as needed. She is a former resident of Capitol Hill and started Capitol Kids Therapy, LLC from her home near Lincoln Park. She enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and two young boys in nearby Arlington. In her free time she enjoys running, volunteering at her children's schools, connecting with friends and planning fun excursions with her family.
SYDNEY SMITH | MS, CCP-SLP
Sydney received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland where she majored in Hearing and Speech Sciences. In 2018, she graduated with a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Towson University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the DC State License as issued by the DC DOH Board of Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology.
Sydney has worked with children of all ages with a wide range of speech, language, and feeding disorders including articulation, phonological disorders, receptive-expressive language delays, autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, AAC, fluency, oral motor, and medically complex feeding disorders. Sydney’s passion lies with early intervention services for children with mixed receptive-expressive language disorders, as well providing social skills intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Sydney's favorite game to use in therapy is 'Headbanz!' Her favorite books include 'Pete the Cat' series.
About Us
Capitol Kids Therapy is headed by Leslie Williamson Humes who founded the practice in 2000. Our staff consists of nationally certified pediatric speech language pathologists who have met the guidelines of our governing board, The American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Each therapist also holds a (Washington) DC Speech-Language Pathology license issued by the Speech-Language and Hearing of the DC Department of Health.
At Capitol Kids Therapy, meeting the national standard is a minimum as we strive to provide the cutting edge in evaluation and treatment strategies. Our staff has received training in PROMPT (www.promptinstitute.com), Lindamood Bell programs, oral motor strengthening (Debra Beckman and Sara Rosenfeld Johnson), auditory processing, apraxia (Pamela Marshalla), oral-motor/sensory feeding programs (Lori Overland, Sequential Oral Sensory and Food Chaining) and sensory integration techniques to maximize attention and regulation for language learning development.
RACHEL HOLSTON | MS, CF-SLP
Rachel is from Bel Air, Maryland. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University and her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola University Maryland. Before graduate school, Rachel worked for three years at HASA, a nonprofit organization in Baltimore, Maryland. She started working at their MANSEF nonpublic school, Gateway School, as a 1:1 and then transitioned to working as a speech-language pathologist assistant (SLP-A) in HASA’s outpatient clinic and Gateway School. Rachel has experiences working with children 2-15 years old with speech, language, and communication disorders in the areas of fluency, articulation, reading comprehension, autism spectrum disorder, receptive-expressive language, social communication, Down syndrome, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Rachel’s special interests in the field include AAC, social communication, articulation, and cognitive communication. Rachel believes children learn best when their therapy is individualized, functional, and collaborative with parents and other professionals. Rachel’s favorite therapy materials and activities include kinetic sand, magnets with magnetic wands, books, and any and every card game or board game! In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading both fiction and nonfiction, listening to podcasts, taking care of plants and flowers, and hiking in National Parks.
As the director of Capitol Kids Therapy, I feel it is important to serve the Hill community and its educators in addressing the needs of our children as soon as possible. Over the years Capitol Kids Therapy has provided teacher and parent workshops to help caregivers recognize the early signs of speech and language delays. Our relationship with the community and our family friendly approach has made it possible for many children to receive top quality services at home, in school and at the clinic without leaving the Hill.