Tracy Intartaglia
Speech-Language Pathologist
"There's so much more to this job than working on specific skills."
Tracy has three years of experience in rehab, across school and clinical pediatric and adult speech-language settings.
A moment that reminded her why she does this work
Tracy helped a child learn to emotionally regulate during one of their first sessions together. When the child became overwhelmed, she learned to meet them in their world by following their interests, giving them space, and helping them feel safe and understood. Over time, they got better at regulating their emotions and returning to the session. "Being able to help them stay engaged and continue learning, even during difficult moments, has been a really rewarding accomplishment."
A win from this year
Tracy has been working with a child for about a year now, and recently stopped to realize how far they've come. When they first met, the child had very limited ways of communicating. Now, they use phrases and full sentences to comment, make requests, and express themselves. "Seeing their progress firsthand and knowing I was able to be part of that journey was incredibly rewarding."
What people outside the field don't understand
"Something people outside this field don't always understand is how many different hats we wear. Our role goes far beyond just working on specific skills. We support communication, emotional regulation, social skills, independence, and so much more. Every child is different, so we have to be flexible and find different ways to help them succeed."
What Tracy would want for her own family
"I would want them to feel heard, understood, and genuinely cared for."