Tel: 732-942-7220
ABOUT
Shira Kirsh, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, CBS
NJ License # 41YS00198700
Shira Kirsh, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, CBS is a N.J.-licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist and Certified Breastfeeding Specialist with extensive experience in acute and rehab hospitals prior to opening a private practice in 2005. With a background spanning everything from neonatal, pediatric, school-aged and adult communication and swallowing disorders to coaching adult professionals in foreign accent modification, Shira is well-versed in many areas of medical and educational speech therapy as well as corporate communication issues. She received her Master of Science degree from Boston University in 1989.
Shira’s hospital work began at an acute rehabilitation facility in the Boston suburbs. She also worked at Jersey Shore University Medical Center for 14 years. As a therapist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shira treated infants with sucking difficulties and provided follow-up care to graduates of the NICU through the Infant Toddler Assessment Program. Throughout her career, she helped inpatients and outpatients of all ages, including children with autism and apraxia. With many years experience performing Modified Barium Swallow and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing diagnostic tests, Shira also has extensive knowledge of pediatric and adult feeding and swallowing disorders.
Shira is a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®), having met the standards and qualifications and credentialed by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM). She has served as the Poster Session Chair for IAOM 2017, 2018 and 2019 Conventions and on the Sponsorship Committee for the 2021 Convention. She is currently on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Orofacial Myology, elected to the Executive Committee as Treasurer for the 2021-2023 term. She serves on the Education Committee and the Mentorship Committee. She is a 2021 recipient of the highly prestigious Connie Painter Award for Distinguished Service.
Shira’s specific areas of expertise are orofacial myofunctional disorders including tongue thrust, tongue ties and thumb sucking habit elimination, feeding and swallowing, voice disorders, and speech and language difficulties. As a Buteyko Level 2 trained clinician, she continues to further her studies in treating disordered breathing, affecting speech, voice and swallowing, including having completed a mini residency for Orofacial Myologists alongside dentists and osteopaths at the ALF Education Institute (AEI) in 2017 and Lois Laynee’s Restorative Breathing Level I and Level II training in 2018 and 2019. She is trained in Voice Gym and Myofascial Release as it pertains to voice, neck and swallowing, both for orofacial myofunctional disorders and voice disorders. She has attended several courses on evaluating infants and toddlers with tethered oral tissues (TOTs) recently including Amanda Chastain's GoMAP, Ellen Carlin's Baby Friendly Techniques to support Breastfeeding infants with TOTs and Michelle Emanuel's Cranial Nerve Dysfunction in the Precrawling Infant and TummyTime! Method and Nina Johanson's AEIOU feeding course for picky eaters and problem feeders. Furthering her understanding of infants and children who are breastfeeding, she has taken the Healthy Children Project CLC course in summer, 2019 and advanced coursework through Lactation Education Resources earning the Certified Breastfeeding Specialist designation. She is also TummyTime! Method Certified.
In private practice since 2005, she offers the full range of traditional and innovative techniques to address speech and language issues of all kinds. Shira provides innovative treatment for those with auditory processing problems. She has also treated communication issues related to head injury, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. She is certified to provide LSVT Loud. She works with Transgender women on voice feminization. She is PROMPT Level 2 trained to help treat apraxia and other oral motor disorders.
Shira has achieved her Competent Communicator award in Toastmasters International, where she served as VP of Education in her local club for several years. You may email her at ShiraKirsh@AllianceNJSLP.com.
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