About

A Little about us

Play On Words, LLC is a practice offering speech-language pathology services to both children and adults.  While we are capable of serving all ages, we specialize in providing diagnostic and treatment services to children ages birth to 18 years.

We believe language and communication are the basic means by which we interact with one another, learn, work, and enjoy life with those closest to us; and we value the developmental and educational benefits of children’s early language experiences.  We value the critical role parents and families play in the development of early language and communication skills, and we hope to assist families in overcoming any challenges, frustration and separation they may experience communicating with their children and loved ones. 

We strive to meet needs and schedules of all of our clients by offering convenient and affordable services.  We make every attempt to accommodate the needs/schedules of all the families we serve!

Our Team

Kelly McClelland Harris, MA, CCC-SLP
received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Kansas, and her Master of Arts Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association, and is a member of the Missouri Speech Language Hearing Association, the National Black Association for Speech Language and Hearing, and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She is currently licensed to practice in the state of Missouri, and holds a Missouri teaching certificate as well. As a member of ASHA, she also holds membership in the following special interest divisions: Administration and Supervision; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; and Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Populations.

While at the University of Kansas, Kelly participated in research on “Pronoun Development and Usage in Young Children” under the direction of Diane Frome Loeb PhD, CCC-SLP and received the “Black Faculty and Staff Academic Award” in 1996. While at Northwestern University, Kelly participated in research on “Individual Differences in Word Learning” under the direction of Karla McGregor PhD, CCC-SLP and received the “Mark Driscoll Book Award” in 2001 for “outstanding dedication to developing academic, clinical, and interpersonal skills”.

Kelly has practiced Speech-Language Pathology in a variety of settings including rehabilitation centers, the Chicago public schools (all educational levels, elementary through high school), early childhood centers and public schools (all levels, elementary through high school) in St. Louis, the Early Intervention systems of both Illinois and Missouri, and in private agencies in both Illinois and Missouri. Kelly began her own private practice in 2004, seeing individual children on a part-time basis. She also began working with the Early Intervention system of Missouri at this same time. In 2005 she began working with children with visual impairments through the Delta Gamma Center. In 2006 Kelly decided to begin working in private practice on a full time basis. Since this time, Play On Words, LLC has grown to serve individuals in a variety of settings and schools or agencies throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

Throughout her career Kelly has sought additional education and coursework in a variety of areas including Management of Feeding Disorders in Infants and Toddlers (B. Nathanson), Advanced Topics in Phonological Development and Disorders (B. Smith), Cleft Palate and Other Maxillofacial Disorders (J. LeDuc), Attention Deficit Disorder (S. Zecker), Infant and Toddler Assessment (Bregman), Early Intervention in Natural Environments, a 5 Component Approach, Creating Schools that Heal, Introducing Literacy to the Classroom, Arena Assessment, Transdisciplinary Play Based Treatment and Assessment (T. Linder), Meeting the Literacy Challenges: Read With Me Program (S. Robertson), Child Development: Ages Birth to Five Years. She additionally completed presentations on the following: ‘Overview of Speech-Language Pathology,’ in Fall 2004 for Linguistics students at Washington University, ‘Speech-Language Pathology in Early Childhood,’ in April 2005 (This presentation examined the role of the SLP in early childhood, appropriate referrals, treatment options (push in/pull out), and what can be done in the classroom), and “The need, efficacy, and implementation of classroom based provision of speech therapy services for children with phonological processing disorders or delays” in June 2006 (This paper/presentation examined the advantages/disadvantages of beginning a phonological processing (speech) classroom in a local preschool). She also prepared and received a grant for a Parent/Child reading program entitled “Read with Me in U-City” in 2005 (this program was based on the book “Read With Me” by Shari Robertson PhD CCC-SLP).

Kelly believes in the benefits of services provided as early as possible and in natural settings. She also strongly believes in the benefits of peer models, and thus supports group and classroom based services, and has worked hard to include speech and language groups as a service that Play On Words, LLC provides. It is her goal to provide quality, affordable services to her community and to meet the needs of all of the individuals and families she serves by providing a caring, supportive, and professional environment where each individual feels encouraged, supported, and successful.

Mandy Sangha, MA, CCC-SLP
received her Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Speech and Hearing Science in 2003 and a Master's of Arts Degree in Speech and Hearing Science-Speech Pathology in 2005 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence as well as a Missouri license.  Mandy has provided speech and language diagnostic and therapeutic services in a variety of settings, including elementary and high schools, Early Childhood programs, pediatric outpatient facilities, daycares, and homes to a diverse pediatric population ranging from infancy to high school-aged children.  She has interests in treating phonological disorders and facilitating language development in preschool-aged children.  Mandy, along with her husband and son, have enjoyed taking advantage of the many sites and attractions St. Louis has to offer since moving to the area in June, 2007. 

Karen Egel, M.S., CCC-SLP
received her Master's of Science Degree in Communication Disorders from Fontbonne University in 2000.  She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and Missouri license through the Missouri Board of Healing Arts.  She has provided both diagnostic and therapeutic services to preschool and school-age children, kindergarten through high school, with a wide range of speech and language impairments including disorders of articulation, phonology, language development, fluency, voice, developmental delays, learning disabilities, mental retardation and mental health concerns.  She also has experience in early intervention, working primarily in the home with parents and families, and in daycare and preschool settings with teachers and caregivers.  She believes that collaboration with families, professionals and other team members is essential to provide the most effective, functional and successful outcomes for the child at home and at school.

Raizy Mayer, M.S., CCC-SLP
received her Master's of Science Degree in Communication Disorders from Long Island University in September 2004. She has experience in providing diagnostic and therapeutic services to preschool and school-age children with a wide range of speech and language impairments including disorders of articulation, phonology, fluency, social skills and oral motor. Raizy’s expertise is in working with preschool children with developmental disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, and phonological and language disorders.