Amy Black-Ryel, MA, CCC-SLP

Bio

I am Amy Black-Ryel, MA, CCC-SLP and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist. I am the founder and owner of Creating Communicators, where my vision of supporting pre-verbal and non-speaking children with the tools and strategies to spontaneously and independently communicate comes to life.

My career path changed while completing my undergraduate degree at CSU when a Speech-Language Pathologist collaborated in my preschool classroom. I immediately saw the power of being able to communicate in the life of a young child and began to pursue the necessary steps to becoming an SLP.

Educational Background:

Amy graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies Childhood. She later earned her graduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado.

Amy holds a certificate in Assistive Technology from Cal State University-Northridge, two Awards for Continuing Education (ACE) from ASHA, and countless hours of professional development and continuing education in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology(AT), including alternative access.

Additionally, Amy has training in pediatric feeding and swallowing and is trained in Beckman Oral Motor Protocol, and a Sensory Motor Approach.

With a strong background in early childhood development, Amy is dedicated to improving young children’s functional communication skills and overall accessibility. Amy’s passion lies in assisting families of complex communicators and creating independent communicators.

Amy is Hanen-trained and has participated in DIR Floortime courses, which provide the basis for supporting parents of young children and the importance of play-based, connection-based communication therapy.

Additionally, Amy is trained in Lindamood Bell Talkies(ages 0-5), Visualizing-Verbalizing Language Comprehension, and Thinking. They both provide research-based strategies for teaching descriptive language and literacy methods.

Professional Experience:

Before pursuing my graduate degree I earned my Certificate as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant where I worked at the Elementary education level throughout my graduate school years. I continued in education, serving under-resourced populations from ages 2-19.

After graduating, I worked in the school district in preschools and elementary schools supporting individuals with complex communication needs.

While working in the schools, I also provided services to children in their homes for many years before opening my own business and leaving the schools to pursue my passion in Early Intervention. This led to successfully supporting families of complex communicators with AAC evaluations and communication partner training.

Areas of Expertise:

Amy specializes in pediatric Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology(AT). She advocates for introducing AAC early for communication and literacy success.

Amy provides direct intervention for complex communicators and assessments for speech-generating devices in Colorado and Idaho.

Therapeutic Approach:

I am a strong believer that learning how to communicate should be fun. I believe communication improves when there is a strong connection between the clinician and the child.

A well know fact from Dr. Karyn Purvis states “It takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain, unless it it done in play, in which case it only takes 10 to 20 repetitions.”

Professional Associations:

Amy is a member of the American Speech-Language Association and the Colorado Speech-Language Association.

Mentorship is a large part of being a clinician. Amy is proud to host graduate students and clinical fellows in her daily practice.

Beyond the Therapy Room

When I am not playing with my friends and building functional language skills, I enjoy traveling with my husband, visiting with my adult children, golfing, and being outdoors. I am always open to trying something new and believe I learn by doing, just like our children.