LKN Speech Language Pathology

MEET OUR TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM

Marianne Umphlett, Owner of LKN Speech Language Pathology, PLLC employs highly skilled and experienced speech language pathologists who compliment the team and exceed as professionals. 

She invites you to meet them below.

Meet Marianne Umphlett

An ASHA-certified, NC-licensed speech-language pathologist, Marianne Umphlett earned her Masters of Speech Pathology from the University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Science of Communication Disorders from Appalachian State University. Marianne has helped children and adults throughout Charlotte and the Lake Norman region and specializes in all types of speech and language therapy including: auditory processing, neurological impairment, speech and voice disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, apraxia of speech, and swallowing disorders. In addition, she has worked with schools and medical centers including acute care, outpatient and home health settings.

Graduating in 1986, Marianne initially served as a therapist in a nursing home and retirement setting with a focus on swallowing disorders, communication and cognitive disorders related to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. She then worked in hospitals, particularly with stroke, head injury, and head and neck cancer patients in acute and outpatient rehabilitation settings, plus developed inpatient and outpatient satellite programs. In addition, Marianne worked as a regional manager for large contract rehabilitation companies overseeing occupational, physical and speech-language therapists. She later became a clinical consultant ensuring compliance, continuing education and program development.

After marrying her husband Kevin and starting a family, Marianne continued to offer speech therapy on a limited basis so she could enjoy her young children and volunteerism. In 2006, she launched her private practice, providing in-home visits and networking with area speech and language clinicians. She also exceeds ASHA NC licensing board and continuing education requirements. With two children of her own, Marianne personally understands the communication issues of children, as well as the challenges families face. While she respects each child as an individual, she also works closely with parents to develop a collaborative treatment plan that helps children achieve success in the shortest amount of time.

Diane Drakulic
Diane Drakulic
With a Masters of Communication Disorders in Speech Pathology from the University of Akron, Ohio and Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Miami University of Ohio, Diane joined our team in 2013. She currently works as a speech-language pathologist for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, providing augmentative communication evaluations and treatment to non-verbal preschool and school-age students.

Diane formerly worked as a speech-language pathologist at Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation with specialty in head trauma, stroke, feeding and swallowing disorders, fluency, voice and language. She also served as a communication specialist for St. Mark’s Inc. of Charlotte and as a speech-language pathologist for Perry Local Schools in Ohio. Her professional affiliations include the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and North Carolina Augmentative Communication Association (NCACA).

Amy Gossett Elder
Amy Gossett Elder
Amy Elder, MA, CCC-SLP graduated from Ohio University with a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2006 and joined the LKN Speech Language Pathology team in 2016. She specializes in pediatrics and has worked in a variety of settings including public and private schools, home health, and private practice.

Amy is highly experienced and has extensive training related to articulation/phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, expressive and receptive language, augmentative communication, literacy, pragmatics/social communication, gestalt language processing, and Autism.

Amy enjoys working with children of all ages but finds exceptional joy working with young children to help them find their voice. Amy is passionate about parent involvement and training throughout the therapy process and believes this is critical to providing effective speech and language therapy.

Marissa Deddens Larkin
Marissa Deddens Larkin
Marissa is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential to communicate and connect with the world around them. She has worked in a variety of pediatric settings, including public schools, multidisciplinary clinics and private practice. Marissa joined the LKN Speech Language Pathology team in September of 2021.

She has worked extensively with preschool age clients targeting articulation and language skills as well as high school students to develop their social language skills, fluency and functional communication using augmentative and alternative communication. In addition, she has helped pediatric clients to improve literacy through enrichment programs for at-risk students in classroom settings. Marissa is experienced in providing therapy for a variety of diagnoses including articulation, language, fluency, literacy, pragmatics, and functional communication.

Kaitlyn Kimrey Miller
Kaitlyn Kimrey Miller
Kaitlyn joined LKN Speech-Language Pathology in 2014 as a speech-language pathologist. Prior to earning her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders from East Carolina University, Kaitlyn graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, receiving the honors of summa cum laude and valedictorian of Communication Disorders. A certified elementary and exceptional children’s teacher for grades K-6, she speaks fluent Spanish.

Skilled at working with patients of all ages, Kaitlyn completed her internships at Avante Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Wilkesboro, NC; Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, NC, Bridges School in State Road, NC; and Therapy Source in Hickory, NC. She is CPR-certified through the American Heart Association.