Sauganash
Speech & Development Center
Now in the heart of Sauganash

Focused on your child, with great care

Pediatric speech, language, and learning support for Chicago families — including children with special needs — delivered with intention, attention, and great care.

A young child painting at an easel during a session
Meet the team

Four therapists, one neighborhood practice

What began as one travelling speech therapist in 2020 is now a team of speech-language pathologists and an occupational therapist working out of a brick-and-mortar space in Sauganash — many of us raising our own families a few blocks away.

Katie Tengel, director and owner
Katie Tengel
Director & Owner

A speech therapist for over 15 years, Katie has spent her entire career working with children and founded the practice in 2020.

Lauren Zelasko, speech-language pathologist
Lauren Zelasko
Speech-Language Pathologist, ASHA

Extensive experience across Chicago Public Schools and Early Intervention, with a thoughtful, child-centered approach to every session.

Ellie Murphy, speech-language pathologist
Ellie Murphy
Speech-Language Pathologist

Born and raised in Sauganash. Clinical experience in early intervention, public and private schools, and outpatient clinics.

Caroline Baird, occupational therapist
Caroline Baird
Occupational Therapist, MOT

Nearly ten years of occupational therapy practice, specializing in treating the whole child alongside multidisciplinary teams.

Our Mission

Achieve outcomes for pediatric speech, language, and learning needs with intention, attention, and great care.

Katie Tengel inside the Sauganash practice

What a first visit looks like

01 A phone call. Tell us what you're seeing at home or hearing from school. No commitment.
02 An evaluation. A thorough look at where your child is now, explained in plain language.
03 A plan you're part of. Weekly sessions, plus strategies you can carry into the rest of the week.
Start with a call

What families say

When schools went virtual and summer camps were cancelled, we reached out for help with social-emotional challenges our daughter was facing. Katie is extremely kind and respectful. She provided us with skills to work with our daughter and has really been able to develop a terrific rapport with her. She helped us prepare our daughter for the birth of our second child. We feel lucky to have her on our team.

Brad
Parent, child age 4

I had the pleasure of working with Katie for three years. As an occupational therapist, I have learned so much from collaborating with her. Aside from her expertise in speech and language, Katie also utilizes sensory and behavioral strategies with clients to achieve maximal therapeutic results. She is a knowledgeable speech language pathologist who truly cares about her clients and their families.

Emily Woodcock
MS OTR/L