All professionals at Child Achievement Center maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in speech-language therapy. Read on to learn more about our staff's experience and training.
Director: Shari Gross, M.A., CCC-SLP
Assistant Director: Rachel M. Shapiro, M.S., CCC-SLP
Rachel M. Shapiro, M.S. CCC-SLP, speech language pathologist, graduated from Columbia University, Teacher’s College in 2002 with her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She received a Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and Sciences at State University of New York at Buffalo. She is PROMPT trained, and has worked in New York City Public Schools, Spring Lake, New Jersey public schools, and in the private school setting providing therapy for children with Autism. She conducts highly effective selective mutism therapy in group and individual settings. Rachel has also served as a speech-language pathologist with the early intervention system. She currently runs individual therapy sessions and social skills groups within the private practice setting. Additional areas of interest include auditory/language processing, feeding therapy, apraxia, oral motor based therapy, and cleft palate.
Senior Therapist: Melissa Gold, M.S., CCC-SLP
Melissa Gold, MS, CCC-SLP, graduated from Emerson College with her Master of Science Degree in Communication Disorders. Melissa's strongest areas of interest are early childhood speech and language disorders, preschoolers with autism spectrum disorders, and feeding disorders. Melissa has acquired Level 2 PROMPT training, which she utilizes throughout the therapy process for all children with articulation errors and apraxia of speech.
Felice Semegram, M.S., CCC-SLP
Felice Semegram, M.S, CCC-SLP, speech- language pathologist, graduated from Columbia University, Teacher’s College in 1994 with her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at State University of New York at Oneonta. At Child Achievement Center, Felice is delighted to specialize in designing and providing highly successful social skills development programs, especially social skills training for children with Autism. These programs include Camp Skyward, Kids Out and About, and Girls Night Out. Felice's additional, extensive experience includes evaluating and providing therapy to children who present a variety of speech and language disorders. She treats articulation/phonological delays, neurological deficits, oral motor dysfunction, stuttering, voice disorders, apraxia, and selective mutism. Felice is also PROMPT trained.
Dr. Angela Ronan, M.S., CCC-SLPD, TSSLD
Dr. Angela Ronan, MS, CCC-SLPD, TSSLD, speech language pathologist, graduated from Kean University speech language pathology doctorate program, with a clinical doctorate in 2025. She graduated Hunter College in 2008 with her Master of Science degree in speech language pathology and Hofstra University with her Bachelor of Arts degree in communication sciences and disorders in 2006. She is an accredited American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) therapist with a speech language pathology license in both New York and New Jersey. She presented at the New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association (NJSHA) in Atlantic City in 2025 and presented a poster of her research on elementary school aged children’s working memory skills. She has worked in early intervention, private practices, and the New York City Department of Education for the past 18 years. Angela has Level 1 PROMPT training, which she utilizes throughout the therapy process for all children with articulation errors and apraxia of speech. She currently runs individual sessions and social groups with preschool-aged children within the practice. Her special interests include childhood speech and language disorders, autism, voice disorders, apraxia, and executive functioning deficits (i.e., working memory).
Office Manager: Jennifer Lugo
Office Manager Jennifer Lugo can answer all of your insurance and payment questions. She enables our practice to operate successfully, and has extensive administrative experience.
In memoriam: Chica, the "therapy dog"
Chica was our 7 pound, hypo-allergenic, non-shedding, Maltipoo. She was adopted from the Small Dog Rescue in Princeton, in March, 2009. Chica was very gentle and rarely barked. She enjoyed greeting everyone with a wagging tail. Several parents feel she enabled an enthusiastic transition to the therapy setting for their children. Chica was also good at resting quietly in a room by herself, often, and always upon request. She was frequently found at Child Achievement Center on weekdays until 3:00 p.m.
