Personal brain surgery, TBI recovery insights. Based in Chicago, serving Illinois and Texas. Ana, a speech-language pathologist of 8 years, provides personalized support for adults who stutter. Ana grew passionate about this area after she recognized a gap in dignified care for adults who didn’t fit into the typical box of speech therapy target populations. This inspired her to establish Adult Stu
ttering, in 2021. In late 2022, Ana faced a life-altering challenge with the sudden diagnosis of a brain tumor, leading to a profound shift in her perspective. A survivor of brain surgery, her recovery journey is uniquely shaped by her expertise in cognitive functioning as a speech therapist. This personal “extended stay” in neurodiversity has significantly influenced her approach to treating clients, ranging from children with various communication needs to her specialized focus on adults who stutter. Ana studied communication sciences and disorders at the University of Texas where she believes her passion for stuttering support was first sparked. She assisted in research in the Developmental Stuttering Lab. She then received her master’s degree at UT Dallas. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ana finds joy in pilates, classic books and exploring Chicago’s various restaurants. She is often in Texas visiting her family and enjoying Texas queso. Ana is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association, is a Spero Ally of Stuttering, is partnered with SPACE and is a native Spanish speaker. Ana is currently strengthening her knowledge in the areas of executive functioning and cognitive rehab. In the future, she is looking forward to using her combined professional and personal experience to provide support for traumatic brain injury survivors and guidance for their loved ones.
