Elena Patten, PhD

Equipped  with a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, years of research related to developmental pathologies plus over a decade of clinical intervention, Dr. Patten brings an unprecedented level of expertise to the evaluation and treatment of her clients. By understanding the inner workings of the brain, and not just behavior, Dr. Patten can get at the root cause of issues, and design customized, targeted approaches to effectively treat them using scientific, evidence-based practice. But in the age of information overload, many therapies and products sound  efficacious but in fact, have little or no evidence to support them –  modern day snake oil. Dr. Patten can sift through methods to ferret out treatments that have true, unbiased positive outcomes. 

In addition, excellent intervention must include a true understanding of each child as a unique individual with his or her own strengths and passions. Treatment “priorities” as determined by a standardized assessment may not result in the most important improvements in life. Instead, treatment priorities are determined collaboratively with each family, as they know their child best. This is why Dr. Patten schedules  her clients so they are not hurried in and out the door. Further, she encourages communication outside of regular sessions in order to adjust and fine tune intervention and to answer questions as they arise. The goal is to provide intensive treatment such that gains are immediately  observed through environmental arrangements while intervening on neurological processes that result in changes in academic and social functioning.