Welcome to our troop

Growing By Leaps and Bounds Together

SAMANTHA VAQUERANO, MS CCC-SLP

Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

Clinical Director, Owner

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Samantha is a native New Yorker with Cuban and Salvadoran family roots. 

Samantha attended Florida International University (B.A., Psychology with honors, 2014) and Florida Atlantic University where she received her Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (M.A., CCC-SLP). Samantha worked as a bilingual speech-language pathologist and clinical manager for the private practice sector, leading a staff of more than a dozen speech-language pathologists and has provided services across multiple settings such as private schools, early head start schools, daycare centers and home environments.

Samantha has previously served the Miami-Dade community as a supervisor and therapist under organizations such as United Way and Cerebral Palsy Association of Florida. Samantha  served as a clinical supervisor for the speech-language graduate department in 2018 with The Goodman Center at Albizu University.  Samantha has been a long standing collaborator and speech-language team supervisor for The Summer Treatment Program, PreK, a renowned research-based treatment program for children with disruptive behaviors at Florida International University since 2016. Samantha has provided in-services and trainings for FIU staff, private school staff and has worked in conjunction with other professionals to publish and present on various topics related to the field of speech and language, psychology and child development. Samantha has collaborated as a contributor to treatment manuals for Florida International University's Summer Treatment Program and Mailman Center for Child Development's (UM) Early Discovery Program. Samantha was the recipient of the ASHA ACE Award in 2023; the ACE is a formal recognition of professionals who have demonstrated their commitment to lifelong learning. 

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Samantha is passionate about providing integrative and comprehensive services to families with children of all backgrounds. Samantha's interests include play-based therapy, motor-speech disorders, tethered oral tissues and early intervention.  

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Papers/Presentations to view:

1. Jackson, Safiya (2022) “Investigating the Potential Efficacy of a Music Intervention to Improve Emotion Regulation in Preschool-Age Children: An Exploratory Case Study. Thesis to be defended under the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education with Music Therapy Emphasis program at University of Miami.*Served as consultant for Ms. Jackson’s sample collection, methods and procedural process

2. Gregg, D., Hart, K., Vaquerano, S., Walker-Angle, S., Suarez, M., & Graziano, P. (2021). Multidisciplinary early intervention for preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems and language impairment. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 1-12. Impact Factor: 1.976 Google Scholar Citation Count: 0 Journal Rank SJR: 267th out of 1,201 (Psychology), 53rd out of 273 (Clinical Psychology)
3. Gregg, D., Hart, K., Vaquerano, S., Cuervo, S., Suarez, M., Graziano, P. (2019) Early intervention to promote school readiness for preschoolers with externalizing behavior problems and language impairment. Poster to be presented at the 2019 SRCD Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland.  
4. Suarez, M., Vaquerano, S., Walker-Angel, S., Hart, K., Graziano, P. (2018). Joining Forces: A summer program for preschoolers with speech-language and behavioral challenges. Seminar presented at the 2018 American Speech, Language & Hearing Association, Annual National Convention.
5. Vaquerano, S., Graziano, P., Hart, K., & Suarez, M. (2014). Examining short-term speech-language therapy in preschoolers with behavior problems. Poster presented at the 2014 Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists & Audiologists Annual Convention, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Awarded first place in poster competition.
6. Hart, K., Graziano, P., Kent, K., Garcia, A., Vaquerano, S., Walker-Angel, S., Greiner, A., Gnagy, E., & Pelham, W. (2013). Summer Treatment Program for Pre-Kindergarteners (STP-PreK). Unpublished treatment manual.

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KAREN RODRIGUEZ, MS, OTR/L

Bilingual Occupational Therapist,

Managing Director, Owner

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Karen is a proud Miami native with deep Cuban roots, bringing warmth, dedication, and cultural insight to her work as a pediatric occupational therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida International University (2009) and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (2014). Karen is licensed to practice in the state of Florida and is nationally registered with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

With a lifelong passion for helping children, Karen has dedicated her career to supporting the development and independence of children from infancy through adolescence. Her commitment to pediatrics began early—through volunteering with children’s programs, coaching cheerleading teams, and organizing child-centered community events. These early experiences laid the foundation for a career rooted in compassion and advocacy for children with developmental challenges.

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Karen has worked extensively in a variety of clinical and educational settings, including outpatient therapy centers, public and private schools, and home health. Prior to establishing her own pediatric occupational therapy practice, she served as a lead occupational therapist and therapy supervisor at well-regarded pediatric clinics in Miami. These roles allowed her to mentor other clinicians and develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each child and family.

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In addition to her clinical work, Karen has proudly served as a clinical educator for over eight years, mentoring and supervising occupational therapy students from both master’s and doctoral programs. She is passionate about shaping the next generation of therapists through hands-on learning, evidence-based practice, and compassionate care.

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Karen holds specialized training and certifications in a variety of pediatric approaches, including Handwriting Without Tears, Sensory Integration, The Zones of Regulation, and the DIR®/Floortime™ model, a relationship-based approach that supports emotional and developmental growth in children with challenges such as autism and sensory processing disorders.

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Karen is known for her individualized, play-based, and family-centered approach to therapy. She is committed to empowering both children and their caregivers by fostering functional skills, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

Outside of her clinical practice, Karen is an active member of her community and currently serves on the Young Professionals Board of the Casa Familia organization, which is dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​Tamar Mesa, M.S., CF-SLP

Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

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Tamar is a bilingual therapist with Spanish roots. Tamar brings over a decade of diverse experience in education and speech therapy to her work with children and families. Tamar graduate with a Bachelor’s in Speech Pathology from the University of Valencia and a Master’s in Learning Difficulties & Language Disorders from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.  Tamar has built her career across international and U.S. settings, from early intervention and clinical practice to classroom leadership. She currently serves as a CF-SLP where she provides pediatric speech therapy and parent coaching. Fluent in English and Spanish and certified in VPK, Tamar is known for her compassionate, family-centered approach and her ability to blend clinical expertise with educational insight. Outside of her professional work, Tamar and her husband Paul stay busy as active sports parents to their two sons, Micah (10) and Amos (7), cheering them on from the sidelines and supporting their growth both on and off the court. 

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