Melissa Peters Yang, M.S., CCC-SLP & CLC, is the founder and program director at Speak Live Play. She brings a wealth of experience to her role, with over five years of extensive involvement in the hospital setting. As the Supervisor of Rehabilitation at Providence St. John’s Health Center, Melissa plays a pivotal role in program development for Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy (ST). Her adept attention to patients encompasses diverse medical diagnoses, including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and adult patients. Melissa’s professional journey also includes valuable hospital experience gained at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, California.
Upon moving to Los Angeles, Melissa saw there was a need for evidence-based in-home therapy, specifically therapy focusing on feeding/swallowing. She started her practice, Speak Live Play, in Los Angeles in 2015, which has grown to become a multidisciplinary practice serving infants and adults. Her practice has helped over 200 families in Los Angeles.
Knowing her endearly as “Mel” to her associates and clients, Melissa received her Bachelor of Science degree from George Washington University and her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, NY. Upon relocating to Los Angeles, she identified a need for evidence-based in-home therapy, specifically focusing on feeding/swallowing. In response, Melissa founded Speak Live Play, Los Angeles, in 2015, which has since evolved into a multidisciplinary practice catering to infants through adults and has positively impacted over 500 families in Los Angeles.
With extensive clinical experience spanning schools, private practice, and hospitals, Melissa has effectively treated both adult and pediatric clients. In educational, clinical, and private practice settings, she developed foundational skills for evaluating and treating pediatric clients with speech, language, literacy, and feeding disorders.
Specializing in children with complex medical and neurological diagnoses, Melissa has expertise in conditions such as Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Nemaline Myopathy, childhood multiple sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, William’s Syndrome, and Fragile X Syndrome. Her experience extends to infant feeding disorders in the NICU and outpatient setting.
Within the medical setting, Melissa has honed her skills in the treatment and identification of swallowing and feeding disorders. She actively conducts instrumental exams, including Modified Barium Swallow Studies and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, to aid in diagnosing dysphagia.
Melissa’s therapeutic philosophy revolves around individual, evidence-based practice to help children and adults achieve their fullest communicative potential and nutritional needs. Her passion for the field is evident in her commitment to making therapy enjoyable and functional for clients of all ages. She is passionate about her field of work and loves finding ways to make therapy enjoyable and functional for her clients of all ages!
