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About Us ~ Our Team

Tara L. Koker-Noia

Tara L. Koker-Noia

Tara attended Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg, Illinois where she obtained an Associates of Arts degree in 1993. Tara then enrolled in the Communication Disorders and Sciences program at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. From there she obtained her bachelors degree in 1995 and her masters in 1997. Tara was awarded a Certificate of Clinical Competence in May of 1998. Since she graduated, Tara aggressively continues her pursuit of knowledge and cutting edge, holistic techniques through seminars, workshops, and in-services. Tara belongs to ASHA (American Speech-Language and Hearing Association) and OSLHA (Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association) and is a member of Special Interest Division 13 for Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders through ASHA. Tara has also received 2 prestigious, coveted ACE (Award for Continuing Education) awards from ASHA which recognizes those who far exceed the requirements for continued educational training. Tara currently holds licenses in OH, NY, and MO all in good standing. She has worked in every available setting to provide services to individuals across the entire spectrum from birth to demise and several positions were held concurrently.

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Professional Activities

  • "Processing" Disorders: Multi-disciplinary Assessment and Treatment February 13, 2010
  • Sensory Aspects and NDT Treatment for Feeding Disorders November 7, 2008
  • Pediatric Dysphagia Series: Practice Patterns in the Evaluation and Management of Pediatric Dysphagia September 26 & 27, 2008
  • Literacy, AAC and Assistive Technology September 22, 2008
  • PROMPT certification awarded January, 2007
  • PROMPT certification project January-November, 2006
  • Pediatric Dysphagia—Management of the Whole Child, October 19, 2005
  • Advanced Pediatric Dysphagia-Interactive Forum, July 17, 2005
  • The Third Patient Education Conference for Eosinophilic Disorders July 16, 2005
  • Inservice: Kinesio Taping, April 2005
  • Pediatric Dysphagia Series: An Interdisciplinary Approach, October 8 & 9, 2004
  • Practical Procedures to Generate Speech Development, March 25-26, 2004
  • Developing Oral-Motor and Feeding Skills in Young Children with Down Syndrome, March 19, 2004
  • PROMPT: Bridging to Technique, March 12-14, 2004
  • Beckman Assessment and Intervention, July 18-19, 2003
  • PROMPT Level 1: Assessment and Technique-audit, June 11--13, 2003
  • Pediatric Dysphagia: Evaluation and Treatment Protocols, June 1-2, 2002
  • PLAY Training Module for Autistic Children in-service, June, 2002
  • Sensory Integration: Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment, in-service, May, 2002
  • Swallowing, the Mouth, and More, by St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, April 3-4, 2002
  • Voice: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment Procedures in-service, March, 2002
  • Fluency: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment Procedures in-service, February, 2002
  • ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE), May 1, 2001
  • Why Won't a Child Eat? Beyond the Mouth, by St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, April 4-5, 2001
  • Advances in Feeding, Swallowing, and Growth: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment,
    October 27-28, 2000 by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • PROMPT Level I: Assessment and Technique, April 13-15, 2000
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), March 24-25, 2000
  • Advance Topics in Assessment and Treatment of Dysphagia in Infants and Toddlers,
    February 27, 2000
  • Wolf Training and Programming in-service, November, 1999
  • DynaVox/Dynamite Programming and Use Training, July, 1999
  • Practical Applications of Sensory Integration Principles, June 4-5, 1999
  • AAC in the Big Apple: Engineering Training Environments for Adolescents and Adults, May 1999
  • Attended ISHA Conference 1996
  • Attended ASHA Conference 1995

Professional Presentations

  • Assistant to Instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, November 16-18, 2009
  • Uncovering/Discovering Hidden Foods Allergies August, 2009
  • PROMPT Parent Course July, 2009 PROMPT Parent Course May, 2009
  • Assistant to Instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, September 18, 2008
  • Poster Session Walk Now for Autism Kick off Brunch, March 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course October, 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course May, 2008
  • PROMPT Parent Course September, 2007
  • Infant-Toddler Feeding Issues/ Techniques — DSAGC Parent Group, July 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course May, 2007
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, April 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course March, 2007
  • PROMPT Parent Course January, 2007
  • Second instructor for Introduction to PROMPT course, April 20-22, 2006
  • Guest Lecturer on Apraxia — Miami University, April 2006
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, March 2006
  • Toddler to school Age/Adult Feeding Techniques — DSAGC Early Matters Parent Group,
    February 2006
  • PROMPT Overview: Northern Kentucky Apraxia Parent Group, February 2006
  • Feeding, swallowing, oral motor development from birth to 3 years in children with Down Syndrome for DSAGC Early Matters parent group October, 2005
  • Cincinnati Apraxia Parent Group: General info to PROMPT, March 2005
  • Guest Lecturer on Apraxia and PROMPT technique — Miami University, October 2004
  • Infant to Toddler Feeding Techniques — DSAGC Parent Group, January, 2004
  • Introduction to Oral Sensory Motor and Feeding Strategies and Techniques, October, 2003

Administered & Instructed Inservice Trainings

  • St. Rita's Preschool Apraxia class: Assist with program development April 2007
  • St. Rita's Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Feb. 2007
  • St. Rita's Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Sept 2006
  • St. Rita's Sign and Say Apraxia classroom: Assist with program development, Oct. 2005
  • PROMPT: Overview of Evaluation and Treatment, Jan, 2002; March, 2002; June, 2002
  • Oral Motor Assessment and Techniques, April, 2002; July, 2002
  • Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment, Jan, 2002; Feb, 2002

 

 

Paul Noia

Paul Noia

Paul attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993 in the field of communications.

Upon graduating, Paul was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with companies such as Laerdal Medical Corporation and General Binding Corporation, where he cultivated his marketing and sales skills. It was during this time that Paul first began thinking about owning his own business.

Pursuing his passion for technology, Paul received a dual certification in web and digital design from Sessions.edu in 2003 and set out to be a business owner. In addition to S.M.I.L.E.S., Paul has worked independently as a freelance web designer and internet marketer, providing services to small and medium sized businesses since 2003.

Paul manages the day to day operations and marketing of S.M.I.L.E.S.