that is intelligence.
Not to imitate but to discover--
-- J. Krishnamurti, Think on These Things
THE MISSION
SpeakEasily SLP strives to be the premier provider of speech-language therapy, academic support, and accent modification. My mission is to provide the highest-quality, individualized service so that you can acquire the skills necessary to achieve your communication goals without sacrificing the intrinsically motivating joy of learning.
THE SCIENCE
My approach is grounded on well-researched, evidence-based practices, and time-tested therapeutic techniques. At the same time, every client is deserving of a personally designed intervention, one that is as unique as the challenge we're up against. So your path to recovery will always be designed just for you!
LEVITY & BREVITY
Life is serious enough. Our time together shouldn't be. This is where we get to have a little fun while we grow and learn. And we'll know we're successful when you leave feeling better than when you arrived!
So, let's have some fun, play some games, make some jokes, and discover (or rediscover) that intrinsic satisfaction, unlike any other -- the one that can only be achieved when you've wrapped your mind around a new idea, when you've overcome a barrier, when you've learned something new.
The Short Version
Michael-Jean Zinni, M.C.D., CCC-SLP holds the following:
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Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech and Language Pathology as a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
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State license from California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board
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State license from Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Professions and Occupations
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State license from the Louisiana Board of Examiner in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (LBESPA)
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State license from the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists (NCBOESLPA)
He is also learning Spanish, Latin, and Romanian.
The Long Version
I earned my BA in Communications and Public Advocacy from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts in 2009. During my time at NEU, I started working for an experimental nonprofit, pilot program called Tutors for All.
Born out of the award winning MATCH school, Tutors for All paired undergraduate college students with at-risk high school students for 12 weeks of targeted intervention in reading or math. I began as a tutor and quickly learned how much fun it was to work with young adults. The following semester I became a Team Leader, coaching a cohort of other undergraduate tutors. Later, as Program Manager, I would take our model to several other public schools in the Greater Boston area, serving hundred of students across the city. I loved my role overseeing our amazing tutors and growing the young nonprofit, but more than that, I wanted to get back to working directly with the community. This time, as a speech-language pathologist.
In 2012, I moved to New Orleans to pursue a Masters of Communication Disorders at the LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Allied Health Professions. While completing post-bachelor courses, I taught kindergarten with a special focus on early literacy acquisition at a local charter-public school. I also began conducting research on echolalia in persons with Autism and had the immense honor of presenting twice at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) national convention.
After graduating in 2015, I completed a dual clinical fellowship at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans Public Charter School (LFNO) and University Medical Center (UMC). After graduating, I continued to gain experience working in both the school system and hospital setting. In 2021, I left my position at UMC to focus on building my private practice.
In 2022, my wife and I moved to a little town in North Carolina. She opened her online store, Little Bird Things, where she sells hand-crafted jewelry in memory of our daughter, Avalina, who passed away shortly after her birth (you can check out her shop on Etsy or follow her on Instagram and facebook). In February 2022, my wife gave birth to our beautiful son who has taken it upon himself to interrupt every little bit of sleep we get =D
And here we are!
In my practice, I provide assessment and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, and voice disorders for pediatrics, school-aged children, adults, and geriatrics. I specialize in dyslexia and the instruction of literacy and academic skills.
Don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to talk!