Our Team of Speech and Language Therapists

Kara Dodds, M.S., CCC-SLP

Owner and Director
Speech Language Pathologist

Kara Dodds, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech-language pathologist and a member of ASHA and CSHA. She is director of Kara Dodds and Associates, Inc. a private practice in San Diego and specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of children with Autism, Apraxia, sensory feeding disorders and in developmental delay.

Her advanced clinical training includes certifications in PECS, TalkTools, PROMPT, and has trainings in the methods of the SCERTS model, New Visions feeding, and in Social Stories.Kara is Hanen certified and teaches More Than Words. Kara has presented at the Autism Educational Network, Peter Pan Association (Italy), and at Universities to graduate students about tailoring therapy for children with Autism.

Kara is author of a preschool screening model supported by UCSD, and used by San Jose State and Autism Tree Project Foundation as a tool in the early identification of communication delays in preschool children. Kara is co-author of the In Harmony: Integrated Learning Program using Speech and Music Therapy as well as co-developed the Kibbles Rockin Clubhouse: a DVD media enhancing social interaction skills through video modeling of children with Autism.

Alison Ingman, M.S., CCC-SLP

Alison received her Bachelors degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Connecticut, and her Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from La Salle University in Philadelphia.

She joined Kara Dodds and Associates in 2008 where she brought her experience working in a school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, Alison has treated clients in hospital settings and a pediatric outpatient rehabilitation center/medical day care. She has evaluated and implemented therapy for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, developmental delays, Cerebral Palsy, oral motor/feeding deficits, articulation/phonological disorders, Apraxia, and the medically fragile. Her treatment techniques include the use of visuals, TEACCH, In Harmony, PECS, Kaufman, Talk Tools, ABA, AAC, and techniques from Hanen "More Than Words."

Andrea Francis, M.S., CCC-SLP

Andrea received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. She relocated and joined Kara Dodds and Associates in 2009 where she brought her experience in evaluating and implementing treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Articulation and Phonological Disorders, Language Disorders, Learning Disabilities, and Fluency Disorders.

Andrea has received training in PECS, TalkTools feeding as well as uses the Kaufman program and visuals to facilitate communication with her clients.

Melinda Person, M.S. CCC-SLP

Melinda received her Bachelor's degree in Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University in 2004 and her Masters degree in Speech and Language Pathology from California State University, Northridge in 2006. Upon graduation, she began working in the school districts and joined Kara Dodds and Associates in 2009.

Melinda has experience evaluating and treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delays, articulation/phonological disorders, specific language impairments, cognitive deficits, and speech dysfluencies (stuttering).

Carolyn Donahue, M.S. CCC-SLP

Carey received her Masters Speech Language Pathology and at the State University of New York at Fredonia. She began her pediatric experience in graduate school working in an inclusive preschool setting, providing therapy to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

After graduating, she went on to complete a one-year fellowship in a school setting in Buffalo, New York, treating children with a variety of disorders including language disorder, ASD, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. Carey moved to San Diego in 2005 and began working in an elementary school in National School District. In this setting,

Carey treats children with articulation disorder, language disorder, apraxia of speech, fluency disorder, and ASD. She is also an Assistive Technology Specialist for her district and is responsible for evaluating and training children to use communication devices and other forms of technology to enhance communication and learning. Carey joined Kara Dodds and Associates in 2007 and works both office locations.

Deborah Wells, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech Language Pathologist

Deborah received her Associates degree in Child Development, her Bachelors degree in Communicative Disorders, and her Masters degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences from San Diego State University. She joined Kara Dodds and Associates in June of 2008 where she brought her experience working in public and private schools with children who are on the Autism Spectrum.

Deborah's experience also includes evaluating and implementing therapy for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delays, oral motor/feeding deficits, articulation/phonological disorders, Apraxia, fluency disorders, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. Deborah has specialized training in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC).

Her treatment techniques include the use of visuals, PECS, In Harmony, Kaufman, Talk Tools, and AAC.

Breena Hayman, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Breena Hayman, M.S., CCC-SLP is a licensed speech language pathologist and a member of ASHA and CSHA. Breena is a certified Hanen instructor and along with Kara Dodds, M.S., CCC-SLP also a certified Hanen instructor teach the parent training class "More Than Words".