About Us
Nassau Speech & Language Center
Our mission is to provide individual and evidence-based, culturally sensitive, therapeutic services with a focus on professionalism and extraordinary quality of care. Our expertise in the areas of communication and feeding disorders is cutting-edge. We pride ourselves in compassion and empathy as we create a climate of collaboration and support the families in order to help their child to reach their highest potential.
At Nassau Speech & Language Center, we believe it is critical to make therapy fun and motivating while using innovative systematic approaches.
Meet Our Therapists
Dawn Ruderman - Director
M.A. CCC-SLP, TSHH
Dawn is a Speech and Language Pathologist with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science Disorders from Queens College and a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Hofstra University. She holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is a NYS Certified Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped. Additionally she has Certification as a School District Leader (SDL).
Dawn has 25 years of experience working with children/adolescents with a wide range of speech and language disorders. Dawn evaluates and treats articulation disorders, voice disorders, social communication disorders (pragmatics), expressive and receptive language disorders, memory difficulties, reading disorders, and stuttering/fluency.
Dawn is a “lifelong learner” and is always up-to-date with the latest advances in the field of speech and language pathology Dawn is PROMPT trained and Wilson trained.On a personal note, Dawn lives on long island with her husband and three sons.
Christine Riggi
M.A. CCC-SLP, TSHH
Christine is a New York State licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as holds the license of Teacher of Speech and Hearing Handicapped (TSHH).
Christine has over 25 years of experience in the speech field after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science Disorders from Queens College and a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Hofstra University.
Christine has experience working with preschool-age through adults in a variety of settings including homecare, schools, and healthcare facilities. In addition to Nassau Speech and Language Center, she is currently employed for over 14 years in a Long Island public school where she has worked primarily with Middle School and High school age students.
Christine has worked with a wide range of disorders including Expressive and Language Delays, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorders, and Hearing Loss. She has created and led programs for Social Skills groups and has treated clients with Dysphagia and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Christine received Level 1 Certification in the Wilson Reading System and is also trained in S.P.I.R.E. reading intervention and instruction. Additionally, she is PROMPT Trained.
Christine is a native New Yorker and resides in Long Island with her husband and college-age son and daughter.
Christine and Dawn began their careers together studying at Queens College and Hofstra University. They have remained friends since. Christine is excited to be apart of Nassau Speech & Language Center.
Lauren Degan
MSpED
Marissa Tarantino
M.A. CCC-SLP, TSHH
Marisa Tarantino is certified by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and is licensed in the state of New York as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Difficulties (TSSLD). Marisa received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Hofstra University and her Masters of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University.
Marisa began her career as a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist at a public school in Queens, NY. There she provided speech and language services to children ages four to ten years old with a wide range of speech and language disorders/delays. She went on to become a part of the NYC Department of Education ASD Nest Program, a specialized program that provides services to children with Autism.
Marisa later expanded her clinical experience working for a special education preschool servicing children from birth to four years old with a variety of developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Expressive and Receptive Language Delays, Learning Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, and Apraxia.
Marisa recognizes the importance of collaborating with parents and caregivers and works to provide them with strategies and activities they can implement to further their child’s growth and development.
Marissa is excited to be a part of Nassau Speech & Language Center.
