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Our Team

Tara L. Koker-Noia | PROMPT Therapist & Instructor

Tara attended Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, Illinois where she obtained an Associates of Arts degree in 1993. Tara then enrolled in the Communication Disorders and Sciences program at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. From there she obtained her bachelors degree in 1995 and her masters in 1997. Tara was awarded a Certificate of Clinical Competence in May of 1998. Since graduation, Tara aggressively continues her pursuit of knowledge and cutting edge, holistic techniques through seminars, workshops, and in-services. Tara belongs to ASHA (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association) and OSLHA (Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association) and is a member of Special Interest Division 13 for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders and Special Interest Division 2 for Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders through ASHA. Tara has also received 2 prestigious, coveted ACE (Award for Continuing Education) awards from ASHA which recognizes those who far exceed the requirements for continued education.

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Professional Activities

  • 5/19-20/2018 | Oral Function: Assessment and Comprehensive Care for the Pre-Crawling Infant
  • 06/08/2017 | Tobii Dynavox Discovery Lab: Learn. Do. Apply
  • 04/20/2017 | Neuroplasticity for Children-Advanced Techniques
  • 10/28/2016 | TOTS: Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training
  • 08/12/2016 | Animal-Assisted Interventions
  • 12/31/2015 | Orofacial Myology/Tongue Thrust
  • 08/20/2015 | Neuroplasticity in Pediatrics
  • 07/16/2015 | Dynamic Brain-Based Interventions (The Body-Brain Connection)
  • 03/21/2015 | Pediatric Swallowing & Feeding: Simple to Complex, Let’s Figure it Out
  • 12/31/2014 | Oral Mechanism/Cranial Nerve Examination: What Every SLP Needs to Know
  • 10/29/2014 | Unlocking the Mystery of Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety
  • 03/09/2014 | Prompt Annual Instructor Training
  • 09/30/2013 | Ethics, Evidence and Clinical Decision Making
  • 09/30/2013 | Professional Ethics in a Changing Professional Landscape
  • 09/30/2013 | Introduction to Ethical Decision Making in Speech-Language Pathology
  • 09/30/2013 | Ethics and Boundaries in Healthcare
  • 09/30/2013 | A Decision-Making Model to Address Ethics in the Workplace
  • 02/28/13, 03/1-3/13 | PROMPT Instructor Camp
  • 10/20-26/12 | PROMPT Instructor Training and Certification
  • “Processing” Disorders: Multi-disciplinary Assessment and Treatment February 13, 2010
  • Sensory Aspects and NDT Treatment for Feeding Disorders November 7, 2008
  • Pediatric Dysphagia Series: Practice Patterns in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia September 26 & 27, 2008
  • Literacy, AAC and Assistive Technology September 22, 2008
  • PROMPT certification awarded January, 2007
  • PROMPT certification project January-November, 2006
  • Pediatric Dysphagia—Management of the Whole Child, October 19, 2005
  • Advanced Pediatric Dysphagia-Interactive Forum, July 17, 2005
  • The Third Patient Education Conference for Eosinophilic Disorders July 16, 2005
  • Inservice: Kinesio Taping, April 2005
  • Pediatric Dysphagia Series: An Interdisciplinary Approach, October 8 & 9, 2004
  • Practical Procedures to Generate Speech Development, March 25-26, 2004
  • Developing Oral-Motor and Feeding Skills in Young Children with Down Syndrome, March 19, 2004
  • PROMPT: Bridging to Technique, March 12-14, 2004
  • Beckman Assessment and Intervention, July 18-19, 2003
  • PROMPT Level 1: Assessment and Technique-audit, June 11-13, 2003
  • Pediatric Dysphagia: Evaluation and Treatment Protocols, June 1-2, 2002
  • PLAY Training Module for Autistic Children in-service, June, 2002
  • Sensory Integration: Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment, in-service, May, 2002
  • Swallowing, the Mouth, and More, by St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, April 3-4, 2002
  • Voice: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment Procedures in-service, March, 2002
  • Fluency: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment Procedures in-service, February, 2002
  • ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE), May 1, 2001
  • Why Won’t a Child Eat? Beyond the Mouth, by St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, April 4-5, 2001
  • Advances in Feeding, Swallowing, and Growth: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment,
    October 27-28, 2000 by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • PROMPT Level I: Assessment and Technique, April 13-15, 2000
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), March 24-25, 2000
  • Advance Topics in Assessment and Treatment of Dysphagia in Infants and Toddlers,
    February 27, 2000
  • Wolf Training and Programming in-service, November, 1999
  • DynaVox/Dynamite Programming and Use Training, July, 1999
  • Practical Applications of Sensory Integration Principles, June 4-5, 1999
  • AAC in the Big Apple: Engineering Training Environments for Adolescents and Adults, May 1999
  • Attended ISHA Conference 1996
  • Attended ASHA Conference 1995

Instructed PROMPT Courses for Therapists

  • 06/6-8/13 | Introduction to PROMPT: Technique Workshop
  • 05/11-13/13 | Introduction to PROMPT: Technique Workshop

Professional Presentations to Organizations & Clients

  • 03/9/13 and 4/13/13 | PROMPT Parent Course/Training
  • 03/31/12 and 04/28/12 | PROMPT Parent Course/Training
  • 11/02/12 | Apraxia Support Group PROMPT Presentation
  • Assistant to Instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, November 16-18, 2009
  • Uncovering/Discovering Hidden Foods Allergies August, 2009
  • PROMPT Parent Course July, 2009 PROMPT Parent Course May, 2009
  • Assistant to Instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, September 18, 2008
  • Poster Session Walk Now for Autism Kick off Brunch, March 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course October, 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course May, 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course September, 2007
  • Infant-Toddler Feeding Issues/ Techniques — DSAGC Parent Group, July 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course May, 2007
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, April 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course March, 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course January, 2007
  • Second instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, April 20-22, 2006
  • Guest Lecturer on Apraxia — Miami University, April 2006
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, March 2006
  • Toddler to school Age/Adult Feeding Techniques — DSAGC Early Matters Parent Group, February 2006
  • PROMPT Overview: Northern Kentucky Apraxia Parent Group, February 2006
  • Feeding, swallowing, oral motor development from birth to 3 years in children with Down Syndrome for DSAGC Early Matters parent group October, 2005
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, March 2005
  • Guest Lecturer on Apraxia and PROMPT technique — Miami University, October 2004
  • Infant to Toddler Feeding Techniques — DSAGC Parent Group, January, 2004
  • Introduction to Oral Sensory Motor and Feeding Strategies and Techniques, October, 2003

Administered & Instructed Inservice Trainings

  • St. Rita’s Preschool Apraxia class: Assist with program development April 2007
  • St. Rita’s Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Feb. 2007
  • St. Rita’s Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Sept 2006
  • St. Rita’s Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Oct. 2005
  • PROMPT: Overview of Evaluation and Treatment, Jan, 2002; March, 2002; June, 2002
  • Oral Motor Assessment and Techniques, April, 2002; July, 2002
  • Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment, Jan, 2002; Feb, 2002

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Paul Noia | Business Manager

Paul understands the frustrations of verbal communication struggles very well as he has been struggling with speech issues since 1998. Paul’s motivation and passion in developing and evolving S.M.I.L.E.S. is driven by his personal challenge with speech and his empathy for children with speech and other deficits.

Paul attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993 in the field of communications. Upon graduating, he was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with companies such as Laerdal Medical Corporation and General Binding Corporation, where he cultivated marketing and sales skills within a B2B market as an Account Executive. During this time, he realized his potential of being a successful entrepreneur and in 2001, Paul made the decision to recognize his entrepreneurial spirit and set a plan to realize his dream of business building.

Pursuing his passion for technology, Paul received a dual certification in web and digital design from Sessions College for Professional Design in 2003 and has worked independently as a web designer, developer and internet marketer, providing exceptional services to small and medium sized businesses nationwide. He is constantly broadening his skill-set through on-going education in technology and leadership.

Paul has been working with S.M.I.L.E.S. since 2005 and manages the day to day operations and development of S.M.I.L.E.S.