MEET THE SLP
Ruth Maldonado, M.S., CCC-SLP
Hi there! I'm Ruth, the owner and speech-language pathologist (SLP) behind Be Brave Speech Therapy. I'm licensed in California (CA) and certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). I graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Andrews University, Michigan (2008). After graduating with my Bachelors, I took a year off and deferred my admission to graduate school. During that year, I taught 1st grade in a remote island of the Federated States of Micronesia, Pohnpei. I loved that year and it solidified my joy and passion in working with children. After returning to the United States, I moved to California and started graduate school at Loma Linda University. I received my M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2011. In 2022, I became a Hanen certified SLP allowing me to specialize in parent coaching. The Hanen approach has changed early language intervention by putting parents first in order to help their children be the best communicators. I am trained in It Takes Two to Talk - a program that offers parents easy to understand concrete strategies that they can put into practice right away!
I have worked with children and their families in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and preschools. Throughout my career, I have worked closely and co-treated with educators, pediatric physical, occupational, behavioral therapists, and school psychologists. Their expertise has been invaluable and molded me into the therapist I am now. I have experience in working with children who have Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, developmental delays, behavioral disorders, cognitive impairment, fluency disorders, and articulation/phonological disorders.
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, friends, family, and my cute dog, Summer! Although originally from Ohio, I love living in Southern California. Some of my hobbies include traveling, hiking, kayaking, reading, running, and going to church/bible study.
