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hope fernicola

Hope Fernicola

CCC, SLP, COM, CBS, CPRCS

Speech-Language Pathologist

Background

Hope Fernicola, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM®, CBS, is a N.J. Licensed Speech Language Pathologist and Certified Orofacial Myologist™. A graduate of Montclair State University, her experience is extensive and includes developmental pediatrics, feeding therapy, apraxia, oral motor based therapy (TalkTools, Beckman, PROMPT), speech, voice, language, and literacy disorders. As a Certified Orofacial Myologist, credentialed by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), she specializes in treating a range of orofacial myology disorders that often impact tongue placement, tongue thrust, tongue ties, feeding/swallowing, noxious oral habits, airway patency/disordered breathing, airway orthodontics and craniofacial development.

Hope provides innovative treatments for both children and adults for a variety of disorders and clinical conditions which otherwise have been resistant to remediation, have been misdiagnosed, or unidentified. To that end, she often encounters special cases that rely on an exceptional level of clinical problem solving and coordination of care.

In addition to being in private practice, her background includes providing speech and language services in both the early intervention, educational, and correctional settings. She served on the Committee for the initial development of NJEIS Autism Guidelines. She has provided expert testimony and evaluations in her areas of practice. And has been the recipient of numerous ASHA awards for Excellence in Professional Development. She has served as a clinical reviewer for the Poster Committee for the IAOM 2017 Convention.

In the academic setting, she has lent her expertise as both a staff SLP and consultant in the development, implementation, and supervision of Language and Literacy labs serving a range of students with learning disabilities in both private special needs schools and the Department of Corrections. Her expertise includes knowledge and application of a variety of computer-based instructional programs for the development of reading, writing, grammar, and spelling skills including Orton Gillingham and Wilson Reading methodologies. She is a Certified Provider of Fast Forward, Reading Assistant Plus and successfully uses a variety of Orton Gillingham and Wilson based strategies with individuals who struggle with reading, language, and literacy.

She may be reached at 908-375-8237, or via email teamhopetherapy@yahoo.com,

Specialties

Myofunctional disorders (mouth breathing - snoring - drooling)

GI Issues (Colic - Spitting up - Reflux - GER - GERD - gas - constipation)

Stuttering/fluency concerns

Neurodivergence (e.g. ASD - ADHD)

Medically complex

Genetic & birth conditions (e.g. Down syndrome - cerebral palsy)

Breastfeeding/bottle feeding difficulties (latching - dribbling - leakage - gagging - choking - coughing - clicking - weaning - aversion)

Oral Ties (tongue-tie - lip-tie - buccal-ties)

Solid feeding and swallowing (gagging - poor chewing - choking - straw drinking - cup drinking - leakage - picky eating - refusal)

Oral-motor hypotonia (e.g. - weak jaw - open mouth posture)

Motor planning difficulties (dyspraxia)

Speech milestones

Sleep disordered breathing (snoring - sleep apnea)

Difficulty self-soothing

Restless sleep

Limited social interaction with peers

Selective mutism

Oral habits (e.g. pacifier use - thumb or digit sucking habits - blanket sucking)

Trauma-informed care needs

Other

Sensory Issues (hypersensitivity - hyposensitivity)

Language milestones

Social communication

Prematurity

Delayed play skills (e.g. pretend - functional)

Difficulty with attention and engagement

Education & Training

CCC, SLP, COM, CBS, CPRCS

Insurance

Aetna

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Out-of-network

Languages

English

Affirming Care

Neurodiversity Affirming

Trauma Informed

LGBTQIA+

Contact

Service Areas

318 The Courtyards At Pluckemin
Bedminster, NJ 07921

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