Speech and Feeding Therapy for Kids

serving Mooresville and the greater Lake Norman area

baby sticking out tongue feeding speech therapy Lake Norman

Welcome to First Ideas for Pediatric Speech and Feeding

We Build the Foundation for First Words and Happy, Curious Eaters!!

Julie’s unique approach combines your child’s unique personality with fun and motivating activities, inspiring their desire to talk or eat.

We’re Here to Help!

How Is First Ideas Different?

We are Kid Experts: With over 30 years experience, Julie really understands kids and the little details of what makes your child unique.

We are Convenient and Flexible: We offer morning, afternoon and even Saturday morning appointments that are HOME BASED, so you don’t have to plan travel time or child care into your child’s therapy time.

We Partner with you: We take the time to hear your concerns and design a plan that works for your family. You will always have a way to get in touch to ask a question, or share a success!

We offer a 4 week Tiny Talkers program, uniquely built for 16-24 months. A perfect bridge between the “wait and see” approach and traditional therapy. Julie specially designed the strategies for this age group!

Julie Specializes In:

  • apraxia (motor planning difficulties)

  • complications from tongue tie

  • encouraging parents to practice the techniques

  • adjusting her techniques to match each child’s personality

  • “picky eaters”

  • pediatric feeding disorders

  • speech delay

  • language delay

  • helping with Baby Led Weaning difficulties

  • late talkers

The foundation for success starts HERE

These are the building blocks for any child to make progress in speech therapy, and especially feeding therapy. We must inspire each child, regardless of their personality. Julie’s intuitive ability to meet each child where they are allows them to enjoy, relax, and make progress their way, in their time!

Meet Julie…

julie kouzel SLP feeding therapy lake norman nc

Julie B. Kouzel MS, CCC-SLP

Owner, Speech and Feeding Expert

Julie has always loved working and playing with children. From babysitting as a teenager, she knew she always wanted to be a mom. And when she accidentally discovered speech therapy in college, she knew she found the right career path.

Although raised in NJ, she has lived in North Carolina for 25 years and has worked in a variety of settings: clinics, early intervention programs, schools for disabled children, and private practice.

Currently, she lives in Mooresville with her husband, son, and dog, Jake. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, Pilates, yoga, attracting butterflies to her garden, and traveling.

Testimonials

  • I am an SLP, and Julie is the therapist I chose and stuck with for treatment of both my kids! I would highly recommend! Julie develops the most wonderful rapport. I was in awe of how well my son took to Julie. She is a wealth of knowledge and confident in her methods of treatment. She helped me remain calm, as a concerned parent. You and your child will be so lucky to have Julie as your expert and guide along your speech/language or feeding journey. We are forever grateful for all Julie has done.

    Dana R. ~mom and speech therapist

  • As a former colleague, I had the privilege to work side by side with Julie as well as collaborate with her. Julie is professional, beyond knowledgeable, authentic, thinks outside the box, addresses the root cause, and provides clear cut and attainable strategies to parents. She has a way of knowing just how far to push to achieve outstanding results with her patients.

    April L.~ occupational therapist

  • My daughter G. struggled early on with eating foods of different textures. We were at our wits end until we found Julie! Her knowledge of feeding therapy was second to none. Her consistent therapy, patience, and expertise helped to get G. to experience eating on a new level. Thank you Julie!

    Holly H. ~ mom

  • Julie is wonderful to work with! The Tiny Talkers program was just perfect. It gave me the knowledge to help my son with his speech and a nudge for him in the right direction. Now he is learning new words and sounds! Thank you Julie!!

    Kaitlyn P. ~ mom

child reading book speech feeding therapy Lake Norman NC

“Play is the work of the child.”

~ Maria Montessori

Ready to get started?

Step One

Schedule your free discovery call to learn more about First Ideas and if Julie can meet your child’s needs. It’s a complementary service we provide to make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.

Julie enjoys getting to know her new families. It’s easy to get in touch and there is NEVER any pressure! You are always in charge!!

Step Two

Julie will complete a thorough evaluation to address your concerns of speech/language or feeding challenges. You will receive a report as well.

Step Three

If your child needs therapy, we will schedule a convenient time to meet in your home and get started on the way to better speech and feeding!

Insurance & Billing

We feel its important to say that we work for YOU, not at the whim of your insurance company. They can dictate how long services can be provided, based on what they choose to reimburse. Julie provides her families with time needed to accomplish whatever needs to be done.

Follow First Ideas for Speech and Feeding on Instagram!

@firstideasspeechandfeeding