Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Ledford.
Hi Megan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The first time I heard of speech therapy was in undergrad at East Tennessee State University. I was switching majors, and my friend was taking a few speech therapy prerequisite courses. I did not know what speech therapy was at the time, but the classes seemed interesting enough, so I signed up for a few courses.
They were difficult, and I was still on the fence, so I decided to job shadow an SLP at a local skilled nursing facility. I watched as the speech therapist engaged with several elderly clients who had dementia. Watching her connect with a group of individuals society often dismisses due to age and declining cognitive state, I developed a deeper compassion for this population. I left the nursing home that day with a passion to help these men and women continue to tell their stories and be heard because we all deserve a voice.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has not been easy. Starting a business as a 25-year-old is terrifying to say the least. I had the passion. I had the knowledge. But putting that knowledge and passion into practice, my practice seemed so far out of reach. I still have much to learn about the business world, but I will do any work necessary to run a successful business and bring quality speech therapy services to my community.
We’ve been impressed with Deeper Roots Speech Therapy, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of Deeper Roots Speech Therapy, a mobile private practice based in Norcross, GA, that specializes in rehabilitation for neurological diagnoses. We serve adults only! In fact, we are the only speech therapy private practice in the Northeast Atlanta, GA area that caters specifically to adults with neurological diagnoses. We treat changes in communication, cognition, and swallowing that accompany diagnoses such as stroke, brain injury, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. We provide in-home services to clients residing within 20 miles of Norcross, GA, and telehealth services to all Georgia residents.
I have experience treating adults and children in various therapeutic settings including: skilled nursing, outpatient rehab, nonprofit TBI clinic, pediatric feeding clinic, schools, and private practice. I am licensed in the State of Georgia and certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). I am also a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and certified SPEAK OUT! provider for Parkinson’s voice therapy.
Deeper Roots exists to help our clients get back to work, participate fully in their hobbies, and enjoy the meals they love. Just as a tree grows its roots deeper after a storm making it strong enough to withstand the next one, Deeper Roots helps its clients grow their roots deeper in the face of adversity.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
One of my clinical supervisors during graduate school shared her knowledge of medical speech therapy with me, but more than that, she instilled in me her passion for seeing the patient as a person and not a chart number. She always put the well-being of the patient first, which leads to better client rapport and therapeutic outcomes.
My clients also deserve a tremendous amount of credit. After all, I would not be a speech therapist without them. They work hard every day to meet their personal therapy goals, and I am blessed to be a small part of their rehabilitation journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deeperrootsspeechtherapy.com
- Instagram: @deeperrootsspeechtherapy
