Kate Blalock is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with 23 years experience treating children and adults. As a certified Pilates instructor, she therapeutically utilizes rehab-based Pilates principles to help clients improve their communication skills. She has broad expertise in evaluating and treating children, adolescents, and adults with communication disorders. Her specialities include language and articulation disorders, dysfluencies, sensory-integration, motor speech disorder, and aphasia. Most recently, she has become PROMPT trained and is currently working towards certification,

By incorporating Pilates methodology into speech therapy, Kate allows individuals to reach their full potential physically, emotionally, and mentally. In 2012, Kate earned a Polestar Pilates certification - a year-long endeavor with 400 hours or self-practice, 100 hours of teaching, and 40 hours of observation, ending with a written and practicum test.

Polestar Pilates was founded in 1992 by Dr. Brent D. Anderson and Elizabeth Larkin. Using common Pilates principles, they added more biomechanics and motor learning into their instruction. Kate’s Polestar Pilates training influenced Kate’s philosophy that bodies are meant to move whenever possible. Therefore, movement is an integral part of all training, whether it be a Pilates session or a speech therapy session. Pilates is a slow and steady process as is speech therapy. If trained and supported properly, the body and communication abilities will have an increased opportunity to reach full potential.

Specialties
·       Child language disorders
·       Apraxia
·       Fluency disorders
·       Aphasia resulting from head injuries and stroke
·       Early intervention for infants and toddlers
·       Voice
·       Articulation and phonological processing disorders
·       Motor speech disorders including dysarthria
·       Incorporating Pilates movement into nonspeaking communication

Kate has offices in Warrenton and Centerville, VA with a location to come in Fairfax Station in Fall 2024.