We’re the speech therapists next door. The ones who listen, care, and walk beside you.
We know what it’s like to worry about your child and feel unsure of what to do next. You keep hearing “It’s fine” while everything in your body is telling you it isn’t. We’ve been there, too. Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy was born from our own experiences and to show families like you that you’re not alone, we’re here to help.
About us
Your speech therapy specialists
Meet our team!
Kate, JJ, & Luann
What started as a one woman show (plus a CVS attendant Kate befriended to use the restroom!) has grown into a small but mighty team of three with tons of experience and a shared mission: to make therapy feel personable and honest with a “friend next door” feel.
At Ripple Effect, you may work closely with one therapist, but you get the brainpower of all 3 us! We share ideas, problem-solve together, and advocate fiercely to not only help your child get the support they need, but you as well!
Owner of Ripple Effect + True Crime Lover
Meet Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP
Kate is a double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington (Bachelors-2014; Masters-2018) with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL).
Her areas of expertise include: feeding therapy, myofunctional therapy and airway-centric care in pediatrics.
She says, "Much of my passion to serve and support Michiana families is derived from my own recognition that it truly does "take a village" and I enjoy being part of the "villages" I serve."
PROFESSIONAL STATS:
Owner of Ripple Effect + True Crime Lover
Meet Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP
Kate is a mom of three girls under 6 and is expecting a little man on the way!
When she's not advocating for healthier feeding, stronger habits, and clearer communication, you can find her down a rabbit hole of true crime (shoutout Crime Junkies!), at a 5 am workout, playing with her girls, cheering on The Irish or enjoying the hidden gem - Taqueria Chicago (IYKYK).
Want to work with Kate? Click the button below to get started!
FUN FACTS:
Clinical Instructor and Champion Baker
Meet JJ Lidy
M.A., CCC-SLP
THE PROFESSIONAL STATS:
JJ graduated from Ball State University, and is a long-time resident of Michiana. Since the Fall of 2022, she has been serving as an adjunct clinical instructor for the Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program.
Her area of expertise is diagnosing and providing therapy for disordered speech, language, early literacy, cognition, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), feeding and dysphagia, voice, fluency, aural rehabilitation, AAC needs, and respiratory support for speech/EILO.
Clinical Instructor and Champion Baker
Meet JJ Lidy
M.A., CCC-SLP
THE FUN FACTS:
When she's not providing therapy or teaching, JJ enjoys trivia, and was even invited to play on Jeopardy! (sadly, she declined because she had a newborn at home, but would happily accept another invitation!)
She's a champion baker, and can cook an entire non-dairy holiday meal from scratch, knows how to polka dance, and coaches a a FIRST LEGO League team.
Want to work with JJ? Click the button below to get started!
Bilingual Speech Therapist + Jeep Lover
Meet Luann Hernandez-Montano, M.S., CFY
THE PROFESSIONAL STATS:
Luann is an Elkhart native and a proud double graduate from Saint Mary’s College. As she continues to grow as a clinician, one of her greatest aspirations is to give back to her community by working with bilingual Spanish speaking families and their children,
Luann is passionate about articulation and speech sound disorders. She plans to pursue bilingual certification to become a certified bilingual SLP and explore additional areas of clinical interest.
Bilingual Speech Therapist + Jeep Lover
Meet Luann Hernandez-Montano, M.S., CFY
THE FUN FACTS:
When she's not helping bilingual families with speech, she's studying for her next certification!
Outside of work, Luann enjoys spending quality time with her own family, going on scenic drives in her Jeep Wrangler, taking walks, and relaxing in her hammock.
Want to work with Luann? Click the button below to get started!
Breaking down barriers.
A dedication to advocating for the best treatment. best practices, and the best support that we can offer, breaking down walls (and the system too!)
Care done right.
Operating with the highest standards at all times, and doing what’s right over what’s easy. Treating the person instead of ‘pleasing the system’.
“Kate dropped everything to help me advocate”
“Kate has been such an amazing support throughout the entire process of figuring out what next steps needed to be done for my daughter. She dropped everything to evaluate her and help me advocate to other medical professionals in a timely manner. Her compassion, kindness and never ending knowledge has helped us so much during this time. I’ve learned so much from her. I would HIGHLY recommend working with Kate for any and all speech needs.” - Tressa
Kind words from our clients
"We are so thrilled and thankful!"
Kate has been fabulous to collaborate with at our daycare ministry. She started by working with one of our students and then we were able to offer screenings to all of our students. This has opened up opportunities for our families to express concerns when having their children evaluated, opened up dialogue between our staff and parents, while helping us offer more specific support. We are thrilled and thankful!
Kind words from our clients
We’re famous on Spotify
Kate talks about how motherhood makes you a better CEO
In this interview, Kate talks about all things motherhood and business but most importantly what propelled her forward in client care- her own experiences. Check out the “why” behind Kate’s passion for advocacy when it comes to her kids - and yours.
