Who We Are

Barbara Laufer

Barbara received her Masters Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1975 and is ASHA certified and New York state licensed. She has 30 years experience in the field treating children with various speech and language deficits.

Alexandra Laufer Lobo

Alexandra co-founded Dramatic Pragmatics Speech and Language Center in 2008. She co-developed the Dramatic Pragmatics methodology and continues to create new strategies and concepts for social communication groups and individual therapy, individualizing to meet each client's unique needs.

Kate Bither

Kate earned her masters degree in speech language pathology at Columbia University. As a seasoned speech-language pathologist, Kate has worked in variety of settings such as private practice, schools, rehabilitation and medical settings. Most currently, in addition to her time at DP, Kate is on the pediatric acute care team and pediatric feeding/swallowing team at NYU/Rusk Rehab.

Kristina Cafagno

Kristina Cafagno, who earned her Bachelors degree at Mercy College in speech language pathology, is our valued Office Manager and the "glue" that holds all of us together at Dramatic Pragmatics!

Lindsey Disabella

Lindsey brings her creativity, warmth and enthusiasm to each client in our center.  A dynamic, and skilled speech-language pathologist, Lindsey is experienced in treating children from pre-school to adolescents with various presenting speech and language needs. Lindsey received her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders.

Lina Fox

Lina Fox earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the State University of New York College at Oneonta and a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from New York Medical College. She was inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society for academic excellence and leadership while completing her graduate studies.

Elizabeth “EJ” Espada

EJ is a dynamic, knowledgeable and creative therapist who is dedicated to helping her clients achieve success. EJ earned her Master’s degree from Columbia University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. EJ has worked in both elementary and middle schools, providing curriculum based interventions for students requiring various types of support.

Danielle Fischbein

Danielle earned her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Sacred Heart University. While pursuing her Masters degree, Danielle was chosen for a prestigious scholarship relating to autism and literacy skills, funded by the U.S. department of education’s office of special education.

Emily Grant Grinshpon

Emily earned her Bachelors degree from Penn State University and her Masters in speech-language pathology from Hunter College. With a strong clinical skill set and a warm, child-friendly personality, Emily is able to help children progress towards their speech and language goals while engaging them in the process.

Emma Hungaski

Emma is a valued member of the DP team, bringing her vast clinical knowledge and warm, child-friendly personality to engage and motivate her clients in the learning process.  She earned her Masters of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from University of Maryland, College Park.

Ariana Rich

Ariana earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York Medical College.

Erika Romagnoli

Erika earned her B.A. from Bucknell University and her M.S. in speech-language pathology from MGH Institute of Health Professionals. Additionally, Erika completed an extra concentration in literacy in order to earn a reading specialist licensure.

Kikki Short

Kikki Short has both a Bachelors and a Masters degree from Yale, and has been teaching both learning and non-learning disabled students for the past 14 years.  She excels in helping students write, study, organize, and learn in their own best way.  She has served as an "executive functioning coach" teaching and empowering students to plan, initiate and break down their assignments into manageab

Emily Thomas

Emily Thomas obtained her Masters degree in speech and language pathology from Columbia University, Teachers College. Prior to pursuing her graduate degree, Emily worked at Dramatic Pragmatics as an assistant, obtaining hands-on clinical training within our practice as she started her career.  
 

Amanda Tighe

As a full-time speech- language pathologist, Amanda brings a wide knowledge base and clinical expertise in treatment of various speech language disorders. Prior to pursuing a career in speech language pathology, Amanda was employed by TheraCare in Early Intervention developing IFSP's and treatment programs for children under three years of age and as a Service Coordinator.