Speech, Language, & Feeding Therapy for Children of All Ages in Matawan, NJ
Serving toddlers, children, and teens
Welcome to Little Light Speech Therapy, where we help kids shine their light through confident communication.
At Little Light Speech Therapy in Matawan, NJ, we believe that growth and learning begin with trust, which is why we are dedicated to building a strong rapport with every child and their family.
Our approach to speech and feeding therapy is rooted in compassion, play, and connection. Our pediatric speech therapist combines evidence-based practices with a holistic viewpoint to promote real progress. If one method isn’t working, we’ll try another.
We’re not just here to work on communication— We’re here to help your child feel confident, capable, and supported so they can shine in their own way.
Little Light Speech Therapy Specialties
Providing speech and feeding therapy to children and teens in Matawan, NJ.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy helps your child speak more clearly, feel more confident, and be better understood. During speech therapy, we will focus on:
Helping your child correctly produce speech sounds
Building self-awareness so your child can recognize and improve speech patterns
Improving motor planning and coordination for consistent and accurate sound production
Feeding Therapy for Picky Eaters
Feeding therapy helps your child feel more comfortable around food, making mealtimes easier for the whole family. During feeding therapy, we will focus on:
Improving oral motor strength and coordination for chewing and swallowing
Helping your child explore, try, and tolerate a wider range of foods and textures
Reducing food-related anxiety and building positive mealtime routines
Language Therapy
Language therapy helps your child understand others, express themselves clearly, and build stronger connections. During language therapy, we will focus on:
Expanding your child’s vocabulary for more effective communication
Improving their ability to follow directions, answer questions, and understand conversations
Strengthening play skills, turn-taking, and social language for more confident interactions
Therapy for Tongue & Lip Ties
Therapy for Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) will help your child before and after tongue or lip tie procedures to improve feeding, speech, and oral motor function. During TOTs therapy, we will focus on:
Preparing the muscles of the lips, cheeks, and tongue for optimal release and healing
Supporting post-op recovery through gentle stretches and exercises to prevent reattachment
Building new movement patterns that improve speech clarity and feeding success
Meet Your Speech Therapist
Gina Nelli, M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner & Pediatric Speech Therapist
Welcome! I’m Gina, a pediatric speech therapist and the founder of Little Light Speech Therapy. I’ve spent the last 4½ years working with children and families in private practice and school settings. No matter the setting, my heart has always been in helping children feel confident, capable, and understood.
I started Little Light to provide heart-centered, individualized therapy that honors each child exactly where they are and helps them grow from that place. I believe in building strong relationships with my clients and their families and creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our sessions.
Families often tell me they feel safe, seen, and supported when they walk through my door. I take time to get to know each child on a personal level, learning about their interests, routines, and preferences, so I can make every session feel fun, relevant, and empowering. I lead with kindness, curiosity, and compassion. I believe in celebrating every win and holding space for every setback. I want families to know I’m walking alongside them the whole way and that they can count on me.
Outside of therapy, I’m a yoga instructor and a Reiki level 2 practitioner. My purpose is rooted in helping others thrive— emotionally, physically, mentally, and communicatively— and I’m so grateful to do this work every day.
Advanced Training and Certifications:
Introduction to PROMPT: Technique • Talk Tools: A Three-Part Treatment Plan for Oral Placement Therapy • Talk Tools: Feeding Therapy: A Sensory-Motor Approach • NJSHA Melanie Potock: Your Feeding Tool Kit • Talk Tools: MyoTools 101: The Foundations of Orofacial Myology • ASHA: Nine Building Blocks of Clinical Education and Supervision • ASHA: Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies for Supervision
“Empowering every child
to speak, share, and
shine in their own way.”
Getting Started with Little Light Speech Therapy is Easy!
Our pediatric speech therapist works with kids of all ages in Matawan, NJ. Join us in our welcoming clinic, conveniently located right off the Parkway.
Step 1: Getting Started
We’ll begin with a warm, welcoming phone call. I’ll listen to your concerns, gather information about your child’s needs, and walk you through the next steps.
Step 2: Evaluation & Goal Setting
Once your forms are in, we’ll schedule an evaluation to assess your child’s strengths and areas of need to guide our therapy plan and goals.
Step 3: Therapy Sessions
This is where the magic happens! We will meet for sessions in our Matawan, NJ, clinic. Each session will include updates and home strategies for practice between visits.
Step 4: Progress, Transition, & Completion
I’ll closely monitor your child’s growth and adjust as needed. When goals are met and your child is ready to graduate, we’ll celebrate their success and send them off with confidence!
Insurance & Billing
We are currently in network with New Jersey Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna. And will be adding Cigna and UnitedHealthcare soon. For families not using insurance or with other providers, we offer a private pay option. Click here for more information.
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