About Us
At iTherapy, we approach speech therapy a little differently. We emphasize engagement and fun -- while using evidence-based practices. Learning to communicate is difficult, whether a person is learning speech or using a mobile device. Research shows, however, that people of all ages retain more of what they learn when they enjoy themselves.
At iTherapy science, learning, communication, and fun are part of each therapy session.
our founders
Our team is lead by award-winning speech-language pathologists who specialize in autism spectrum disorder and assistive technology.
LOIS JEAN BRADY
CEO, ITHERAPY
CEO, iTHERAPY, A SPEECH PATHOLOGY CORPORATION
Lois Jean Brady has over 25 years of experience as a practicing Speech-Language Pathologist, she’s a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS), and she also holds certification in Assistive Technology and in computer-based interventions.
Career accomplishments include: Winner of two Autism Speaks App Hack-a-thons, Benjamin Franklin Award for Apps for Autism and an Ursula Award for Autism TodayTV. In addition to Apps for Autism, she has co-authored Speech in Action and Speak, Move, Play and Learn with Children on the Autism Spectrum. Lois gives international presentations to both family members and fellow professionals at conventions and seminars on autism and technology.
Currently she is researching and developing engaging, multi-sensory products to enhance communication, attention, cognition and quality of life for individuals with autism. She has co-developed VAST Autism, a series of three highly effective apps for increasing speech production. Lois is also registered in Animal Assisted Therapy. Buttercup, her potbelly pig, frequently accompanies Lois in therapy sessions and is a huge motivator for all.
In 2015, Lois and Matthew Guggemos earned a grant through the National Science Foundation's Small Business Innovative Research program. Lois served as the principal investigator in 2018, 2019, and currently for SBIR/NSF and SBIR/NIH grants. As a team, they are working on expanding their platform using technology from Epic Unreal Engine and Snap Camera, Snapchat, and Spectacles.
MATTHEW GUGGEMOS
CTO, iTHERAPY, LLC
COO, iTHERAPY, A SPEECH PATHOLOGY CORPORATION
As a member of the American Society for AI, my work encompasses the innovative use of technology in speech-language pathology, with a commitment to enhancing communication and learning. In my dual roles as the Chief Operating Officer at iTherapy, a speech pathology corporation, and the Chief Technology Officer at iTherapy, LLC, I am deeply involved in developing multi-sensory digital learning products, especially for individuals on the autism spectrum. My contributions were recognized with the 2013 Mensa Intellectual Benefits to Society Award for InnerVoice, developed alongside Lois Jean Brady and Upbright, Inc..
In 2015, I spearheaded a project under the National Science Foundation's SBIR grant #1520587, dedicated to developing a communication system with emotional expressiveness, catering to individuals with diverse communication needs, including those on the autism spectrum. Our goal was to enhance digital avatars with emotional depth, improving communication effectiveness for non-speaking individuals. This advancement is pivotal in expanding educational and vocational opportunities, underscoring our commitment to inclusivity and support for the neurodiverse community.
Collaborating with Lois Brady and Microsoft in 2018 and 2019, we integrated AI technology into InnerVoice as part of the Microsoft AI for Accessibility Grant.
In 2019, as a co-investigator on a National Institutes of Health Grant, I explored the impact of virtual reality and tablet-based interventions for children with autism. The following year, I contributed as a co-investigator to an SBIR/NSF grant, focusing on a machine-learning speech and language evaluation system.
As the Chief Technology Officer for iTherapy, I play a key role in the EASI-AS project, a venture under the National Science Foundation's SBIR grant #2025836. In this capacity, I contribute to the development and strategic direction of the project, focusing on leveraging AI for enhancing speech and language evaluation.
Outside my professional work, I'm also a dedicated drummer and literacy specialist. My Drum Language project delves into the connections between skill mastery, improvisation, and communication. I am a frequent writer on topics such as communication development, technology, musical thinking, evidence-based practices, and autism spectrum disorder.
awards & badges
our team
Our team is lead by award-winning speech-language pathologists who specialize in autism spectrum disorder and assistive technology.
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Melissa Brettelle
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Melissa has years of experience providing services in the areas of literacy development, functional communication, phonological delays, autism, and parent training.