• Swinging
  • Playing games
  • Play therapy office
  • Princesses
  • Sensory Gym
  • Playing games

services

Our licensed therapists offer a variety of services for children and adolescents. In addition to individual speech/language therapy, play-based psychotherapy, tutoring, and occupational therapy, we also offer social skills groups, camps, and special workshops/classes. Read on to learn more:

Speech and language therapy focuses on the evaluation and treatment of children who have difficulty listening, speaking, reading and/or writing. Our speech language pathologists have experience treating disorders that can effect these areas of communication. Our speech language pathologists are also learning specialists and have extensive experience in working with children with learning differences.

Individual Child/Adolescent Psychotherapy

In child therapy, the therapist works to create a non-judgmental atmosphere with clear boundaries in which a child can feel safe to express feelings, identities, and struggles. This environment also facilitates children's development of mastery, coping, and problem-solving skills. Amy uses an eclectic model - drawing on methods and techniques from psychodynamic therapy, child-centered therapy, cognitive/behavioral therapy, and family therapy - adapted to meet the needs of children's presenting problems.

From Chaos to Calm Group

The ability to self-regulate is critical for success in school, in relationships, and in life. Using the principles of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) coupled with Executive Functioning Training and Sensorimotor Therapy, we will focus on the following skills: impulse control, emotional control, flexible thinking, working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritizing, task initiation, and organization. Group will utilize structured activities/teaching, games, and movement to teach skills. Participants will go home with concrete skills to practice throughout the week.

  • Sundays, 10am - 12:30pm
  • October 19, 2025 - November 9, 2025
  • 4-week "intensive" session
  • Ages 7 - 10 years 
  • Limited to six children
  • $1,500 (payment plan available)

 

Apply Now

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a language-based reading disorder due to a weakness in phonological processing or the way our brain recognizes and interprets sound and sound sequences. Poor phonological awareness skills result in difficulties with word recognition, decoding, and spelling. As a speech-language pathologist that is also certified in Wilson Reading System, Jennifer is in a unique position to support both the underlying language weaknesses present in dyslexia as well as provide a systematic, multi-sensory approach to reading remediation. Jennifer is able to provide a customized treatment plan that will support your child’s reading acquisition. To find out more information or schedule an appointment, please fill out the inquiry form on our contact section.

social groups

Our mission for groups is to build community through play! Our social groups are play-based (following the lead and interests of each child), and are geared towards meeting each child exactly where they are. Our goals include: to build social communication, to learn more about ourselves independently and in a group, to boost confidence, to develop problem solving skills, to learn about physical and emotional regulation, and to enjoy peer interactions. We value play, and creating natural opportunities for children to have fun AND make friends.

Apply for Any Group

 

Lego Group

Drawing on the Lego Serious Play and Lego-based Counseling models, this group will work to build social competence through the use of legos.  We will engage in project-based activities designed to encourage friendship and collaboration, emotion management/regulation, growth mindset, self-esteem, and mindfulness.

  • Fridays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
  • Ages 6 - 8 years old
  • Maximum of 4 kids per group

 

Board Games Group

Board games are the perfect tool to introduce and teach social/emotional learning! Using classic games as well as new favorites, we will develop self-awareness, management of emotional responses, self-esteem, team work/collaboration, self-control, conflict resolution, making thoughtful decisions, and empathy.  

  • Fridays from 4:45pm - 6:15pm
  • Ages 9+ years old
  • Maximum of 6 kids per group

 

Apply for Any Group

about

Speak, Learn, & Play, LLC was founded in 2013 by Jennifer Volpe, CCC-SLP and Amy Weber, LCSW. Started initially to meet the communication, learning, and social/emotional needs of children and families, Speak, Learn, & Play has quickly grown to offer myriad services including speech/language therapy, tutoring, social skills groups, child psychotherapy/play therapy, occupational therapy, and therapeutic camps. Using a collaborative model and state-of-the-art techniques, we strive to treat the whole child. Please read on to learn more about Speak, Learn, & Play's founders:

Amy Weber

Amy

Amy Weber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families, both as a clinician and an administrator. Amy has post-graduate certificates in child and adolescent psychotherapy from the William Alanson White Institute and infant-parent psychotherapy from the Jewish Board for Families and Children's Services. She has extensive training in DIR/Floortime, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Executive Functioning, SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), Collaborative Problem Solving, and trauma-focused therapy. She is co-founder of Speak, Learn, and Play. She is the author of a children's book: Gratitude Is Your Super Power. Amy sees children for individual and group therapy. She also offers parent coaching.

Jennifer Volpe

Jennifer

Jennifer Volpe is a New York State licensed speech pathologist with over 15 years of experience and the founder of Manner of Speaking. She holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCCs) from the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is certified as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Jennifer also holds a Certification as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist through the Center of Effective Reading Research and Dyslexia Practitioner through the Wilson Reading System. Jennifer provides speech and language therapy in all areas, focusing on language-based learning disabilities. Jennifer works with children ages birth to adolescence. Trainings include certification in the Wilson Reading System, PROMPT, Visualizing and Verbalizing, and Basic Writing Skills.

blog

Gratitude that Sticks: Helping Neurodivergent Kids Build Thankfulness in Real Life

By Amy Weber

If you’ve ever tried to get your kid to write a “thank you” note and it ended in tears (theirs and yours), you’re not alone. Gratitude can feel like one of those lofty “Pinterest parent” skills—like journaling at sunrise or arranging vegetables into zoo animals. Lovely in theory, impossible in the real world.

But here’s the thing: gratitude isn’t just polite manners or “say thank you, please.” Gratitude is a regulation tool. It helps kids (and parents) shift out of “everything is overwhelming” mode and into “I can find a tiny good thing here” mode. And for neurodivergent kids, who often face extra daily hurdles, gratitude practices can be powerful for building resilience and joy—when we make them realistic.

Why Gratitude Can Be Tricky for Neurodivergent Kids

  • Abstract concepts: “Be grateful” can sound like “be taller”—not exactly actionable. Kids need it broken down into concrete, visible steps.
  • Sensory overload: When the world feels too loud, too itchy, or too much, finding the “good” is extra hard. Gratitude is easier once regulation tools are in place.
  • Performance pressure: Forced gratitude (“You should be thankful!”) can backfire, turning a positive practice into shame or resistance.

Good news: gratitude doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be consistent, bite-sized, and playful.

Family-Friendly Gratitude Builders

1. The One-Thing Ritual

At dinner, bedtime, or even during tooth-brushing chaos, ask: “What’s one thing that didn’t stink today?”

  • Keep it low pressure. “The snack was good” counts. “Minecraft updated” counts. So does “I survived math.”

2. Photo Gratitude Hunt

Give kids a chance to show instead of tell. Hand them a phone or camera and say: “Take a picture of something you like today.” Later, scroll together and label the pictures with gratitude words.

3. Gratitude Jars—But Make It Easy

Forget the fancy mason jars with perfect handwriting. Grab a shoebox, a basket, or even a Ziploc bag. Once a week, everyone tosses in a scrap with something they liked. Read them back when the week feels heavy.

4. Sensory Gratitude

Gratitude doesn’t have to be words. Try:

  • “What’s one sound you liked today?”
  • “What’s one thing that smelled good?”
  • “What was the softest/coziest thing you touched?”

This makes gratitude concrete for sensory-driven kids.

5. Model Out Loud

Say your gratitude in the moment.

  • “I’m so glad you reminded me to bring the keys.”
  • “I loved that silly face you made—it made me laugh.”
    Kids learn more from overhearing your authentic gratitude than from lectures.

6. Turn Gratitude into Play

  • Make it a scavenger hunt: “Find three things in this room that make you smile.”
  • Use sticky notes: leave little “thank you” notes for each other in backpacks, lunchboxes, or on the bathroom mirror.

7. Pair Gratitude with Regulation

If your child is mid-meltdown, don’t push gratitude (that’s like offering algebra during a fire drill). Instead, use calming tools first—then, once the storm has passed, gently invite: “What’s one good thing you want to carry forward from today?”

Final Takeaway

Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand, polished, or Instagram-worthy. It’s about planting small seeds of “I can notice good things” in everyday family life. For neurodivergent kids, those seeds grow into resilience, connection, and joy. And for parents? Gratitude is a survival skill, too. (Because sometimes, the win is just: we made it through Tuesday. And that absolutely counts.)

Freebie!! 

Family Gratitude Toolkit

 

resources

careers

Come join our team!

We are always looking to work with like-minded professionals. If you are looking to start your own part-time or full-time pediatric private practice, then Speak, Learn and Play is the place for you! Speak, Learn and Play is a collaborative therapy practice where therapists run their own private practices but have the benefit of working alongside other professionals to facilitate a team approach. We have a fully equipped sensory gym ideal for both occupational and physical therapies. Separate treatment rooms are also available for rental. There are ample opportunities for cross-referrals and networking. We offer half-day and full-day rentals, seven days a week. For more information, please email us at speaklearnandplaybrooklyn@gmail.com.

The therapists at Speak Learn and Play are committed to helping prospective and newer members to our various fields of practice. Current and prospective high school, undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to shadow our therapists. We also offer volunteer opportunities at our Summer Camp for those looking to get practical experience in pediatric speech, occupational and play therapy. Please email speaklearnandplaybrooklyn@gmail.com to apply.

contact

540 President St., Ste. 2D, Brooklyn, NY

Speak, Learn, & Play
540 President Street, Ste. 2D
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Tel: (347) 457-5900
Fax: (347) 457-5653

info@speaklearnandplay.com

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