About Us

Our Team

Micaela Kim Fisher, M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner/ Speech-Language Pathologist

Micaela is a former television news anchor/medical reporter. She reported on a story about a pediatric speech-language pathologist, and found a career that combined two of her passions - communication and children. The seed was planted, and she made the switch. Quite different career choices? Not really! As a reporter, Micaela learned to establish trust and rapport with her interviewees in order to obtain the information or soundbites necessary to air on television. As an SLP, she uses those same skills to establish trust and rapport with her clients to entice the little ones to want to communicate with her, and her older clients to build upon their communication skills.

Micaela has been in private practice in Hinsdale since 2004, and has provided services in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and hospitals. Micaela also trains aspiring Speech-Language Pathologists as part of the Adjunct Faculty staff at Elmhurst University and Midwestern University graduate programs, and at College of DuPage for the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) Program. She is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, licensed by the State of Illinois, and was credentialed as a provider and evaluator for the Illinois Early Intervention system for many years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Boston College and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from St. Xavier University.

Karen Schrodt, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Karen brings over 20 years of experience in both schools and private settings. She received her Masters of Arts from Northern Illinois University and has since expanded her areas of interests beyond developmental speech and language delays to augmentative/alternative communication, pediatric feeding/swallowing disorders, and a working with a wide range of diagnoses/disabilities in children.

Karen is a mother of four ranging in ages from 12 to 26 as well as to an adorable golden doodle grandpuppy. She currently splits her time between Ohio and Chicago, but is originally from the southwest 'burbs. Karen’s passions include cooking, sewing, and gardening, and running. However, after 7 marathons she had to hang up her running shoes after completing the Boston Marathon in 2014. In recent years, Karen has also been focused on helping to provide coats, blankets, and other supplies to people struggling with homelessness in the Chicago area. Karen is also a huge fan of the Blackhawks and White Sox, as well as 80's punk/new wave/alternative rock.

Julie Skiba, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist

Julie has 10 years experience as a speech-language pathologist in both the school and clinic settings where she has worked with toddlers, school-aged children and high school students. She has evaluated and treated children with articulation and phonological disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays.

Julie believes in the importance of building a positive relationship with the children she works with and their families. She believes that families and caregivers are a vital part of the child's team, and provides strategies and activities to facilitate speech and language development at home. Julie enjoys preparing fun and engaging therapy activities specific to each child's interests to help achieve their communication goals.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Augustana College and received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at St. Ambrose University. She is a certified member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and is licensed to practice speech-language pathology in the state of Illinois.

Born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, Julie now lives in La Grange Park with her husband and two children. She enjoys crafting, gardening, baking and spending time with family and friends. 

Gayle Borel, AAS-SLPA, MA ECE/SPED
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant

Gayle joined the Smiling Star Speech & Language team in 2018 as in intern where she completed her SLPA practicum. Gayle draws on more than twenty years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator to work with the clients via teletherapy for Smiling Star Speech & Language. Gayle believes in the power of play, the importance of parent education, and the power of a child’s innate curiosity and desire to learn. She emphasizes parent education and coaching as a way to empower parents to help their children meet their speech and language milestones in the comfort of their own homes, using their own toys, and at a time that works best for both parent and child. Together, parent and child reach milestones through engaging, interactive, convenient sessions tailored to each child’s individual interests.

Gayle holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Special Education, and an Associates in Applied Sciences for Speech Language Pathology Assistant. She is an Illinois licensed Early Childhood Educator with EC Special Ed state approval and an Illinois state licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant with Illinois Early Intervention Credential.