Our Mission

Developmentally appropriate enrichment and therapy -
in our new learning space

We are committed to a developmental model that builds strong foundational skills to support regulation, engagement, communication and thinking.

By focusing on your child holistically and fostering strong relationships with the whole family, we promote the cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional growth of all types of learners.

Children work their way up the developmental ladder through personalized challenges in a safe, caring and secure environment.

Julie Mandell, M.S., CCC-SLP

Founder and CEO

Julie Mandell is an accomplished speech and language pathologist who focuses on the whole child. She uses a developmental model that builds strong foundational skills to support regulation, engagement, communication and thinking. Julie individualizes her treatment plan based on each child’s interests, motivations and unique sensory and motor profile.

After receiving a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Boston University, Ms. Mandell worked in the acute neuro-rehabilitation unit at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City, providing speech, cognitive, feeding and swallowing evaluations and treatments to patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.

In 1999, Julie began a private practice devoted to treating children from infancy to age 18 with diagnoses of apraxia, dysarthria, disfluency, auditory processing disorders, pragmatic language and other speech related challenges. Throughout her career, she has emphasized a holistic approach to therapy by working closely with parents, siblings, teachers, administrators, occupational and physical therapists and psychologists to insure that the children receive the services they need to promote achievement and success.

Julie’s devotion to learning and continuing education has led to specialized training and/or certifications in DIR-Floortime, P.R.O.M.P.T., Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, Visualizing and Verbalizing, Tomatis Method, Interactive Metronome, The Listening Program (TLP), The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Sounds Fun, Sounds In Motion, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Lidcombe Fluency Program, Zones of Regulation and Orton-Gillingham (PAF-Preventing Academic Failure, Phonics First, Wilson Fundations & Letterland).

Julie lives with her husband and two teenage children in Chappaqua, NY, where she has been active in the special education branch of the PTA and the local school’s dyslexia committee, successfully ensuring that the district adopted a phonics based reading program for all K-2 students. Several years ago, she began a popular grassroots social media campaign called Chappaqua Parent Advocates for Dyslexia with the mission to destigmatize and raise awareness in her community. 

As a practitioner, Julie is always open to consulting with other professionals and making referrals to appropriate specialists when necessary.  She combines her expertise and passion in speech, language, and childhood literacy with feelings of empathy and warmth and personal investment in her students and their families. 

Our Interdisciplinary Team

  • Kaori Nakamura

    Occupational Therapist

    Review Bio

  • Caryn Golden

    Speech Pathologist

    Review Bio

  • Patricia Empson

    Special Education Teacher

    Review Bio

  • Sara Shenkman

    Speech Pathologist

    Review Bio

  • Lauren Hollander

    Occupational Therapist

    Review Bio

Our Team

Kaori Nakamura

Occupational Therapist, XXXXX

With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.

Literacy Teacher

Michele Fitzsimmons

Michele Fitzsimmons is a Masters level Literacy Teacher, trained in the Orton-Gillingham reading model and Basic Writing Skills from the Windward School. 

Michele received her BS in Education from the University of Delaware, a Masters in Literacy from Manhattanville College and a Masters in School Counseling from New York University. 

During this time she was a first grade teacher in Westchester County, a School Counselor and a Reading Teacher in the Bronx, NY. 

While raising three boys, Michele started a private tutoring business and is a substitute teacher at the Briarcliff Middle School, in Briarcliff Manor, NY. 

Michele has joined the talented team at the Developmental Ladder, offering sessions in Literacy. She lives in Chappaqua, New York.