Meet Shayna
Creating space for children to feel seen, supported, and free to be themselves.
Hello, I’m Shayna, and I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m a speech-language pathologist and children’s yoga teacher, and I believe in looking at the whole child—not just the words they use. Communication is about connection, relationships, confidence, and having the space to express yourself in ways that feel natural.
My Background
I have been a speech-language pathologist for 14 years, with extensive experience in school-based settings. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of supporting children with a wide range of communication needs, strengths, and goals, and I've learned so much from each child and family along the way.Â
Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with families, educators, and other professionals. These relationships have been such an important part of my work and have shaped my individualized, strengths-based approach and the way I show up for each child and their support team.
A Space to Be Yourself
At The Leaping Lotus, I combine speech therapy with movement, play, and connection. I don’t believe children need to sit perfectly still, have all the right words, or communicate in a certain way to be understood.
Your child might be silly, energetic, quiet, curious, cautious, or a little bit of everything—and there is room for all of it here.
 I meet children where they are, follow their interests and cues, and build on the strengths they already have. My goal is to create a space where children feel safe enough to explore, communicate, take risks, and grow in ways that feel natural to them.
The Role of Movement and Play
Yoga and movement have been an important part of my own life. They have taught me the value of slowing down, reconnecting with my body, and finding moments of calm.
I bring that understanding into my work with children. Movement and play can create opportunities for connection, engagement, communication, and learning—while allowing children to be active participants in their own therapy.
Sometimes therapy looks like practicing a new skill. Sometimes it looks like moving, laughing, being silly, or following a child’s curiosity. There is room for all of it.
Seeing What Others Might Miss
One of my greatest strengths is observation.
I pay close attention to the little things—a change in body language, a subtle shift in expression, a child’s energy, what captures their attention, or a behavior that may be communicating something.
Children are communicating all the time, even when they don’t yet have the words to tell us what they need. When we slow down and truly notice, we can begin to understand what a child may be communicating and meet them where they are in that moment.
I believe that when children feel seen and understood, they feel safer. And when they feel safe, they have more space to connect, communicate, explore, and grow.
Partnering With Parents
Supporting a child also means supporting the people who know them best.
I want parents to feel empowered and supported—not blamed or overwhelmed. I love helping families better understand their child’s unique communication style, strengths, needs, and behaviors, and finding practical ways to support connection at home.
My hope is that the work we do together extends beyond our sessions and into everyday moments—mealtimes, play, getting dressed, bedtime, and all the little moments in between.
My Mission
At the heart of The Leaping Lotus is a simple belief: children deserve to feel seen, safe, understood, and free to be themselves.
I want every child who comes into my care to have space to move, play, laugh, communicate, and grow in their own way.
And I want families to feel like they have a partner beside them along the way.