About

At BC, we embrace every individual as they are. We find the pathways our clients need to develop without limits and thrive.

Beyond Communication was founded over 14 years ago with the mission to provide exceptional support in speech, language, and literacy. Since then, it has grown into a comprehensive center that provides the best diagnostic testing, speech-language therapy specialized tutoring, and continuing education. The team consists of a group of professionals who love what they do and have the highest level of clinical expertise. We have built our reputation on always prioritizing the needs of the child and using data-driven information to treat or evaluate.

Message from the Founder

At BC, our mission is to empower young people
with language disabilities and their families.

In our modern world, we swim in a sea of words. It can seem like everyone is always talking, reading, and writing. Everything moves so fast. Children and teens with language and learning challenges are easily left behind, both academically and socially, even though they have so many strengths. I know these kids and the barriers they face. I built BC to focus on their needs. Our work centers around instilling the skills and strategies that will help them overcome some of those barriers, and the self-determination to cope with the others.

BC exists to support kids and teens but we are also here for their families. It’s hard to be a parent of a child with a learning difference. Many parents feel that trying to navigate the special education system is like being stuck in quicksand. The more you struggle, the deeper you sink. So often, parents who call our office express that they’re confused, overwhelmed, frustrated, and lost. They just want to help their child feel better about school and about themselves, but the way forward is impossible to see. Every day we hear, “I just don’t know what to do next.”

We do not offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Children are complex and each has their own unique story. Helping families of kids with special needs requires giving each one careful, focused attention. Our approach to helping families starts with learning about the child and about what’s happening in their education. Then we apply our expert training in child language disabilities and integrate our wisdom from years of experience with specialized instruction. The result is a focused, organized, fully informed set of recommendations. Armed with this information, we can coach the family about their options and how to weigh them. Our families tell us that they feel they’re finally able to step out of the quicksand and start steadily climbing upward.

Since 2007, BC has built a reputation for outstanding expertise, integrity, and results. This really is a special place. Each day I’m reminded of how extraordinarily lucky I am to get to spend time with incredible kids, partner with their supportive parents, and collaborate with exceptional colleagues. I love this work. Everyone here does, and I believe it shows in everything we do. I invite you explore what makes BC different. Connect with us, tell us your story, and hear how we can help. You’ll be glad you did.

Team

Our team of specialists are ready to help you and your child get answers, build a plan, and implement that plan to improve your quality of life.
Click on a photograph for clinician’s CV.

Dr. Jeanne Tighe

Dr. Jeanne Tighe

Owner/Clinical Director

Jeanne is both a Speech-Language Pathologist and a certified Teacher of the Deaf. She started out working in schools with deaf and hard of hearing kids in mainstream classrooms, and over time, her passion for helping kids with speech and sound skills grew into a deep interest in auditory processing and dyslexia. Jeanne is certified as a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Interventionist and is also a Wilson Level 1 Practitioner. On top of that, she’s a Board Certified Specialist in Child Language—a title that means she has advanced training in how kids learn and use language, from understanding and expressing themselves to reading and writing. In her clinical doctoral work, Jeanne focused on improving practices in diagnosing and communicating about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Jeanne loves connecting with kids through her epic collection of unusual board and card games—and she can probably beat your child in Pokémon.
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Alison Pankowski

Alison Pankowski

Education Director

Alison is a certified Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant with extensive experience conducting academic achievement evaluations. Alison believes that being able to read is a civil right for all! She is certified as a Structured Literacy/Dyslexia Specialist and a Wilson Reading System Trainer. Alison has had training in a variety of structured literacy programs including Wilson Reading, IMSE, Lively Letters, LiPS, The Writing Revolution, and others. She was a contributing author on the original NJ Dyslexia Handbook and the 2024 revision, as well as the International Dyslexia Association Universal Screening: K-2 Reading Fact Sheet. Alison enjoys connecting with kids through humor and her strong belief in their capabilities. Outside of work, in between reading or attending webinars and conferences, Alison can be found pampering her beloved German Shepard.
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Marisa Brunner

Marisa Brunner

Speech Language Pathologist

Marisa is a certified speech-language pathologist with extensive experience across clinical and medical settings. A lifelong lover of literacy, Marisa is also certified by Center for Effective Reading Instruction as a Structured Literacy-Dyslexia Interventionist and is Level 1 Certified in Wilson Reading System. She brings a deep love of the science behind communication to her work with children and adolescents, specializing in language and literacy disorders. Marisa finds joy in helping kids grow as confident communicators—and in the honest, hilarious conversations along the way. When she’s not working, she’s chasing after her two kids, reading, and enjoying quality moments with friends and family.
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Samantha Townsend

Samantha Townsend

Speech Language Pathologist

Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a master’s degree in Communication Disorders. With over ten years of experience as a certified speech-language pathologist, Samantha specializes in the intersection of language disorders and literacy. Samantha is Wilson Level 1 certified and also certified by the International Dyslexia Association as a Dyslexia Interventionist. Samantha primarily works with children with receptive and expressive language difficulties, autism, and language disorders associated with intellectual impairment. Her work focuses on helping children improve their oral and written language skills, as well as their reading comprehension. Outside of her professional life, Samantha is passionate about home cooking and loves experimenting in the kitchen and exploring new cuisines.
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Stephanie Coppola

Stephanie Coppola

Speech Language Pathologist

Stephanie is a certified speech-language pathologist with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics with a minor in cognitive science and a master’s in speech-language pathology. She holds licenses in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Stephanie has experience working as a school-based speech language pathologist with middle and high school students with language-based learning disabilities. She specializes in delivering individualized, evidence-based intervention for children and adolescents ages 3 to 18, with a focus on social communication, articulation, and oral and written language development. She is trained in evidence-based programs, including UCLA PEERS, Visualizing and Verbalizing, LSVT LOUD, and LSVT LOUD for Kids! She is passionate about helping her clients make meaningful progress and achieve their communication goals, while having fun along the way. Outside of her professional work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her two corgis, Mochi and Cannoli.
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