It started with sign language.

Erica Madigan started college wanting to be an interpreter for the deaf.

“As a child, I remember being amazed at the lady in the corner of my TV screen signing the Sunday mass or important speeches on the news. We also had a few deaf people in our community and I thought it was pretty amazing that they could carry on long conversations with each other using only their hands,” Madigan said.

So Madigan made the decision to learn sign language to be able to help those who couldn’t hear or speak. But, when she started at Clarion University, she was required to take a class early on called Intro to Speech Science.

“I discovered how complex and fascinating the act of speaking is and how debilitating and isolating it can be for people who have difficulty with speech or language,” Madigan said. “I quickly decided I wanted to become a Speech and Language Pathologist so I could help, not only the deaf, but all people who have difficulty communicating with others.”

After graduating with a Masters Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Clarion in 1998 with a 4.0 grade point average, Madigan went on to earn a Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech and Hearing Association in June 2000 and became licensed by the state in Speech-Language Pathology.

“I have over 16 years of experience in working with the pediatric population,” Madigan said. “I began my career as a school-based speech therapist serving 5 schools within the Warren County School District.”

From the school district, Madigan joined Warren General Hospital in 2005, implementing an outpatient speech and language program through Rehab Works.

But, Madigan still had professional dreams she wanted to see come true.

“Owning my own practice has been a life-long dream. We definitely have a need for pediatric speech and language services in our community,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, by providing quality, one-on-one speech therapy in a warm and friendly environment designed to meet the individual needs of children and their families.”

Thus, Excel Pediatric Speech and Language Center was born.

“Excel is a private speech therapy practice serving the communication needs of children in Warren County and its surrounding areas. Excel specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children with wide variety of communication disorders. We are committed to helping children overcome their speech and language difficulties by providing innovative and motivational therapy techniques using the latest tools and resources,” Madigan said.

Madigan said Excel recognizes the “significant and essential role family members play in their child’s success in speech therapy.”

That understanding, she said, allows Excel to provide opportunities for parent training when appropriate, letting families use techniques at home that are used during sessions.

They’re techniques that Madigan said can make all the difference.

“A common misconception in my line of work is that children will ‘outgrow’ their speech and language difficulties,” she said. “While this may be true in some cases, many times families may delay initiating speech therapy because they believe their child will ‘talk when they’re ready.’ This is unfortunate because research shows that early identification and intervention are critical to achieving the most positive outcomes in speech therapy.”

Those positive outcomes, Madigan said, are what make her profession what it is.

“The most rewarding thing about being a speech therapist for me is watching a young person grow in their speech and language skills,” said Madigan. “Seeing a child come into my office unintelligible or nonverbal and watching them grow into effective, confident communicators and knowing that I played a part in that is hugely rewarding. I love working with children because they challenge and inspire me every day.”

Madigan said parents with concerns about their child’s speech and language development should talk to their pediatrician and ask for a referral for Excel. From there, the child will receive a “comprehensive speech and language evaluation and a therapy plan will be developed to meet their child’s individual needs and interests,” Madigan said.

She added that all therapy is one-on-one, play-based and child-centered.

Excel is located at 1774 Market Street Ext. in Warren, and can reached by phone at 814-723-2872 or by fax at 814-723-2875.