Congratulations to Heera Chandani, MA, CCC-SLP/L, for graduating from the Apraxia Kids Intensive Training Institute (Apraxia Boot Camp)!

Heera is a multilingual SLP from Dubai, U.A.E. She graduated with her Masters from Northwestern University, where she is currently Adjunct Faculty. She received her Bachelors in Special Education. She has 18 years of experience in the field, with diverse populations and diagnoses, including CAS, in a variety of settings. She started her private practice, Chandani & Burns, LLC, in 2014, through which she and her team have provided services in the clinic as well as in the schools, homes, and in the community. Her team has been recognized by their community for the significant progress noted in providing evidence-based treatment, incorporating the child’s interests and family’s hopes, while meeting their unique needs in a fun and functional manner. Collaboration with the child’s team is central to Heera’s practice. Heera continues to conduct workshops and set up speech and special education programs internationally. Her most influential teacher and impetus has been her younger brother, who has an intellectual disability and lives with her. Heera is honored to be recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech. She is excited to continue serving the Apraxia community.

Heera offers services in Skokie, Illinois.
Check out Heera’s Apraxia Kids SLP Directory Listing to learn more.

Apraxia Kids: What are the top 3 things you learned from this training experience?

Heera:  1. Learned about a variety of assessment tools and how to conduct appropriate assessments to make a differential diagnosis, with confidence.   2. To mindfully incorporate principles of motor learning in various ways and aspects.   3. To select appropriate targets for treatment based on information gained from the assessment + how to systematically scale/increase the complexity of these targets.

Apraxia Kids: How did the boot camp experience change or expand your network of colleagues/friends?

Heera: This was such a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from passionate and experienced A-level clinicians from around the US. I was grateful to meet and discuss CAS-related queries with other bilingual SLPs, and fortunate to get to know Megan Overby (my CAS guru) and have her mentorship.

Apraxia Kids: How have you implemented the knowledge you gained at boot camp?

Heera: Thanks to the bootcamp, I have been able to conduct in-depth motor-speech assessments with confidence, mentor beginning clinicians on CAS, and help support experienced SLPs with their cases.

Apraxia Kids: What is an example of how you have been able to (or plan to) use your expertise as a local resource/support for other professionals and/or families since attending the intensive training?

Heera: We are offering intensives for the summer (i.e., higher/frequent dosages of treatment). I would love to offer webinars, in person workshops, and one-on-one coaching/support to other providers/teachers/parents locally as well as globally.

Apraxia Kids: What would you say to someone considering applying to boot camp next round?

Heera: Don’t think twice – just do it! I had such an amazing bootcamp experience that I wish I could do it again. This was one of my best learning experiences post grad school – 100% value added to my clinical practice!