Meet
Ellen McSpadden
Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Autism Specialist
With over two decades of experience, Ellen McSpadden, MA, CCC-SLP, CAS, has built a reputation across Southern New Jersey as a trusted expert for families who’ve already tried everything else.
She is ASHA-certified and licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia. She is formally trained in some of the most respected, evidence-based programs in the field, including:
PEERS® for social skills development
DTTC and PROMPT for Childhood Apraxia of Speech
SPELL-Links for reading, spelling, and literacy
Hanen’s “It Takes Two to Talk” for parent-centered early intervention
“She didn’t just help my child—she taught me how to help them too.”
— Parent in Cherry Hill, NJ
“After one session, we knew we’d found the right fit.”
— Parent in Haddon Township, NJ
“I’ve never seen my teen this motivated to learn something.”
— Parent in Voorhees, NJ
Our well-trained SLP can support skills related to:
Understanding and using words, sentences and stories
Reading, comprehending, spelling and writing
Social communication and relationship-building
Executive functioning for improved social interactions
Speech clarity, motor planning, coordination, and confidence
SLPs (also called speech therapists) help with far more than just speech. Because language is the foundation of learning, literacy and connection, SLPs are uniquely qualified to help kids thrive across all environments.
What Is a Speech-Language Pathologist?
How We Work With Parents
Progress doesn’t stop when the session ends. Ellen partners closely with parents to ensure skills learned in therapy show up at home, at school, and in real life.
You’ll have access to clear explanations, practical strategies, and flexible involvement options—whether that means sitting in, watching remotely, or simply joining for the last 10 minutes to debrief and ask questions.
Ready to learn if Cheerful Chatter is right for your child?
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cheerful Chatter
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We’re located at 807 North Haddon Ave, Ste 101, Haddonfield, NJ, convenient for families in Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Moorestown, and the greater Camden County area.
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We offer evaluations, individual therapy, and small groups
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Children, teens and young adults who need help with social communication skills, childhood apraxia of speech, dyslexia, and other challenges affecting language, reading, and spelling.
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Both! Families can choose in-person or teletherapy sessions.
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Ellen McSpadden, MA, CCC-SLP, CAS, is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and licensed in NJ, PA and GA . She has over two decades of experience in early intervention, schools, and hospital settings. Ellen is formally trained in PEERS, DTTC, PROMPT, SPELL-Links, and Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk.
About Payment & Insurance
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We are out-of-network with all carriers, but we can submit claims on your behalf. Reimbursement will be sent directly to you, depending on your plan.
Payments can be made via bank transfer, credit/debit card, HSA, or FSA card. Note: some HSA/FSA plans don’t cover subscription models (like our Reservation System). If that applies, we’ll help you find the best payment option and can provide monthly statements for reimbursement.
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Currently licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
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Morning appointments: Cancel by 7:00 pm EST the night before
Afternoon/evening appointments: Cancel by 9:00 am EST the same day
Reservation clients: Free make-up sessions are available for timely cancellations as long as your subscription remains active.
Pay-per-session clients: Late cancellations or no-shows are charged at the full appointment rate.
About Getting Started
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Complete a contact form. Once received, someone will reach out to you to answer your questions and discuss the options available
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A Meet & Greet is a 40-minute session with Ellen (in-person or online). It’s a chance to understand your child’s energy, communication style, and support needs before deciding whether to move forward with evaluation, individual therapy, or group sessions.
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You don’t need a referral to see us. However, if you plan to seek insurance reimbursement, your doctor will need to provide a prescription for “speech therapy: evaluation and treatment” including any relevant diagnoses (e.g., autism, ADHD). Prescriptions can be faxed to (856) 558-9901.
About Our Therapy Process
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All sessions are 40 minutes. Some in-depth evaluations may require additional or longer appointments.
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Your first appointment will be a Meet & Greet. We’ll discuss your concerns, share observations, and decide on the best next steps together.
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Different goals require different tracking methods. Sometimes Ellen collects formal data every session. Other times she measures, teaches, then revisits skills later to confirm carryover in real-life settings.
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Yes! Ellen regularly communicates with teachers, tutors, and other providers through email or short phone calls. If you’d like us to check in, just let us know.
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Our jungle theme helps kids celebrate their progress. Inspired by two amazing clients, Carter and Coleman, we use animals to represent different stages of skill development:
Sloth → We’re slowly working on the new skill together
Turtle → They’re beginning to use the skill on their own
Monkey → They’re using it in new and different ways
Cheetah → They’re using it quickly & efficiently
Bird → They’re almost ready to soar into the real world
This child-friendly framework helps kids take ownership of their journey and see how far they’ve come.