*Child-Led *Gestalt Language Development *Neurodiversity-Affirming
Communication Support for All Abilities
A place where interests and strengths are not only embraced, but are the fuel to progress.
About Connection First:
A unique, specialized clinic where connection and trust come first. Connection First therapists support communication development joyfully and effectively. Specializing in autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, Abby Lynch and her team of experts build custom plans to meet your child’s unique interests, strengths, and needs.
We have an open door policy and you are always welcome to participate in your child’s therapy if you wish to. Our therapists are eager to incorporate parent coaching into your sessions so that you feel equipped to continue supporting their development at home!
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”
- Alexander Den Heijer
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A team of highly skilled therapists, passionate about helping all children find their way to effective, joyful communication.
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We believe in embracing the unique strengths of our clients. We put trust and connection at the forefront as a solid foundation for achieving their communication goals.
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From toddlers to young adults, our team is here to help you meet your goals, and have fun while doing it!
Meet Abby Lynch MS, CCC-SLP
Clinic Owner and Lead Speech-Language Pathologist
Abby is a licensed speech-language pathologist who has over 16 years of experience working with individuals aged 1-21 to achieve their communication goals. Abby has a passion for working with children on the autism spectrum as well as with those who stutter. She has worked in both therapeutic day school settings and private clinics. She received her Master of Science degree from Rush University Medical Center, holds a certificate of clinical competence (CCC) and is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associated (ASHA).
Abby places an emphasis on finding each client’s motivation, whether that be a special interest or a specific goal, to guide her therapy. Focusing on fun and maintaining client engagement, Abby and her clients partner together to achieve the goals they desire. Her history working on a variety of multidisciplinary teams has equipped her with the skills to collaborate across disciplines. She strongly values input from all stakeholders (e.g., school team, parents, etc.) in her clients’ lives and takes a whole-team, collaborative approach to therapy. Abby believes everyone deserves the tools they need to become competent communicators and to develop meaningful relationships across the lifespan.
Abby is originally from New England, but is happily settled with her family in Naperville, IL. In her free time, Abby enjoys skiing in the winter, playing tennis in the summer, and everyday adventures with her two young children.
Abby’s specialized trainings include:
NLA Trained Clinician
Natural Language Acquisition in Autism: Echolalia to Self-Generated Language
Lidcombe Program for Early Childhood Stuttering
Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking Programs
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions/Collaborative Problem Solving (Dr. Ross W. Greene)
Sarah Ward Executive Function Interventions
SCERTS: A Comprehensive Educational Framework for Autism
Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP)
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