Patricia McAleer Hamaguchi is a speech-language pathologist. She is the founder and Director of Hamaguchi & Associates, Inc. and is the author of the book, Childhood Speech, Language, and Listening Problems: What Every Parent Should Know (John Wiley & Sons, 1995, 2nd edition 2001, 3rd edition slated for 2010) which is available in major retail bookstores and Amazon.com, including Chinese and Spanish versions. She developed and field-tested a program to teach children with weak listening skills in the classroom setting called, It’s Time to Listen: A Metacognitive Program for Treating Auditory Processing Disorders in the Classroom. (Pro-Ed, Inc, revised edition 2001) Another book, A Metacognitive Program for Treating Auditory Processing Disorders, was published by Pro-Ed, Inc. in 2002. In 2007, Mrs. Hamaguchi authored two chapters in the text, “Auditory Processing Disorders” (Plural Publishing). Mrs. Hamaguchi is a contributing author to Parent Articles 2 (Communication Skill Builders/Psychological Corporation) She is one of the featured panel experts on speech and language issues for Babycenter.com. 

Prior to moving to California in March (1996), she maintained a private practice in Brookfield, CT, and was with Sara Johnson Oral-Motor Speech & Language Associates in South Salem, NY. From 1987 through 1995, Mrs. Hamaguchi was on staff with Region 14 Public Schools in Woodbury, CT. Before moving to Connecticut in 1987, Mrs. Hamaguchi worked for Wall Township Public Schools, NJ, for six years as a speech-language pathologist and reading consultant. 

Mrs. Hamaguchi has served as Selectman in the town of Brookfield, CT, and was named "Connecticut's Outstanding Young Citizen of 1990" by the CT Jaycees and WVIT-TV. In 2008, Mrs. Hamaguchi received several awards for her service to the profession, including the “Islands of Excellence” award from the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Mrs. Hamaguchi received her M.A. degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Trenton State College (now called "The College of New Jersey") and her B.A. degree in Elementary Education from Glassboro State College (now known as "Rowan College") in Glassboro, NJ. She also holds educational certificates in Elementary Education, Reading, and Speech Correction in New Jersey. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and licensed in the state of California. Patti serves as the chair of the California Speech-Language Hearing Association's Task Force on Central Auditory Processing Disorders and was the Commissioner for Professional Services for Speech Pathology and Audiology 2005-2007.

***Patti will be working on the 3rd edition of her book during the summer of 2009, and so will be mostly out of the office until September. New client intakes, assessment reports and treatment plans written by Hamaguchi & Associates staff members will continue to be reviewed with Patti during that time. ***

Gail Ballenger, M.A., CCC-SLP

Gail Ballenger is a deeply dedicated and personable speech-language pathologist. She brings to the practice a very gentle, warm and sweet personality, which connects well with children. She is highly creative in her ability to implement engaging lessons with children in order to address their own unique needs. Her enthusiasm is contagious.

Gail loves games and making therapy fun. In fact, one of her clients was Patti Hamaguchi’s own daughter. (Yes, even speech pathologists’ children need speech therapy!) Says Patti: “My daughter loved going to see ‘Miss Gail’. It was gratifying to see Sara improve so rapidly in her speech and language skills, while enjoying it at the same time, so I was thrilled to have Gail join the practice.”

Gail has received advanced training in treating auditory processing disorders, receptive and expressive language delays, high-functioning autism/PDD, oral-motor therapy techniques (including training in the P.R.O.M.P.T. technique for apraxia) hearing impairment, and articulation disorders. She particularly works well with children who respond best to a softer, playful approach.

Gail received her Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from San Jose State University, with a Specialization in Early Intervention. Before joining Hamaguchi & Associates, Gail was on staff with the Morgan Hill Unified School District. She has been awarded the “Certificate of Clinical Competency” in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Jennifer Minton, M.A., CFY-SLP

Jennifer Minton has a delightful, energetic and sunny manner. She is a natural "cheerleader" for every child on her caseload, helping even the most reluctant participants feel confident! It is clear from the moment you step into her room that Jen loves what she does. She has extensive training (including mentoring with Patti Hamaguchi) in the area of pediatrics, working with toddlers all the way to adolescents. Jen uses motivating multi-sensory strategies and play-based activities to facilitate speech, language and auditory processing improvement. Prior to becoming a speech pathologist, Jen worked with children with autism spectrum disorders as an ABA therapist and continues to have a special interest in this population, as well as language delays, social language development and auditory processing disorders. Jen is trained in the PROMPT technique. PROMPT is a therapy method used with children who have apraxia. In July 2009, Jen attended a 3-day national conference on cutting-edge apraxia interventions in Chicago. Jen holds a Masters Degree from San Jose State University in Communicative Disorders.

Kristen Moore, M.A., CCC-SLP

Kristen brings a warmth, energy and creativity to every session, while balancing her carefully-designed activities with structure and playful routine for those children who need it. She has a natural instinct for finding just the right combination of strategies to optimize every child's session, yet make it all "fun"! Kristen has a particularly strong background in motivating new and emerging talkers, using visual supports (such as PECS) and sensory inputs (music, tactile) to facilitate communicative intent and lay the foundation to support verbal speech. Before becoming a speech pathologist, Kristen was an ABA therapist, and continues to have an interest in working with children who have challenging behaviors as a result of their communication difficulties. Kristen’s experience also  extends to facilitating pragmatic/social language development, working with apraxia and articulation disorders (including those pesky “r” sounds!), and teaming closely with families to ensure carryover and support at home. Kristen is trained in the PROMPT technique, a therapy method used with children who have apraxia. In July 2009, Kristen attended a 3-day national conference on cutting-edge apraxia interventions in Chicago. She holds a Masters Degree from San Jose State University in Communicative Disorders and a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Michelle (Berardi) Turkoglu, M.S., CCC-SLP

Michelle Turkoglu ("Tur-KO-lu") brings a wonderful energy and enthusiasm to the practice. She is devoted to the children on her caseload and excels in using multisensory, structured strategies to help children overcome their delays. She has advanced training in the area of auditory processing disorders, apraxia (including training in the P.R.O.M.P.T. technique for apraxia), articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language development, stuttering and oral-motor disorders. Michelle also works very well with children with high-functioning autism/PDD who need further development in their verbal and pragmatic skills, in group or individual sessions.

Michelle received her Master’s of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) from San Francisco State University, and her Bachelor’s of Science degree (B.S.) in Communication Disorders from the University of New Hampshire. She holds the CCC credential (Certificate of Clinical Competency) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Hamaguchi & Associates would like to introduce you to our front office staff members:

Michelle Talerico-Hurst, Front Office Administrator

Michelle studied accounting and business at West Valley College, and will be finishing her program in the future at San Jose State University. She enjoys reading, yoga, and tennis. In the winter, you can find her snowboarding in Tahoe. Michelle also enjoys cooking, and is working on a recipe book with her friend. Michelle handles our scheduling and about a thousand other things that keep our practice running smoothly and efficiently!

Josie Heckenberg, Clerical Assistant & Friday Group Assistant

Josie earned her B.S. in Psychology from U.C. Davis and is currently a full-time student at Cal State East Bay in the Communicative Sciences and Disorders program. Her ultimate goal is to earn an MS degree and become a Speech-Language Pathologist. She has had the pleasure and opportunity to work with and learn from children for the past 11 years. Most recently, Josie has had the privilege to support children with special needs and their families. In her spare time she enjoys reading a good book or getting outside and staying active with her two beagles.

Carmen Cross Johnson, Friday Group Assistant

Carmen graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Linguistics. She hopes to begin attending graduate school for speech-language pathology in the next few years. Currently, Carmen enjoys helping with the groups at Hamaguchi & Associates as well as working at a daycare near her home in Santa Cruz.  In her free time, Carmen loves being outdoors hiking, rock climbing, and camping. When the weather’s bad, she can be found cooking or reading a good book.