Meet the Discovery Team
Elizabeth S. Spoth, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist
Director of Speech Therapy
Elizabeth has more than 30 years of experience as a speech language pathologist, and has worked with preschool-aged and school-aged children with communication disorders in the area of articulation, receptive and expressive language, voice, and fluency in public schools and in the private sector. Elizabeth has treated and evaluated children ages 0-3 years in early intervention programs. As a bilingual (English and Spanish) speaker, another important aspect of Elizabeth’s professional experience has been working with bilingual children and their families.
She has worked with children with cognitive impairment, specific learning disabilities, hearing impairment, cleft palate, cerebral palsy, feeding disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. Elizabeth has used a range of treatment strategies to include, oral communication, sign language, picture exchange systems, alternative augmentative communication devices, and visual support systems.
Elizabeth is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), licensed by the Virginia State Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, and holds a Postgraduate Professional License from the Commonwealth of Virginia. She graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a Masters of Education degree from Columbus State University. She is trained in the Lindamood-Bell programs Talkies© and Visualizing and Verbalizing©, and has completed Introduction to PROMPT©: Technique.
In 2016, she founded Discovery Speech and Occupational Therapy, LLC, a private practice that acts as a one-stop center for children and families in need of speech language therapy and occupational therapy.
In her leisure time, Elizabeth enjoys the beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks, running 5k’s for charity, and spending time with her husband, Chris, and traveling to visit her daughters and grandchildren.
Speech Language Pathologist
Director of Speech Therapy
Elizabeth has more than 30 years of experience as a speech language pathologist, and has worked with preschool-aged and school-aged children with communication disorders in the area of articulation, receptive and expressive language, voice, and fluency in public schools and in the private sector. Elizabeth has treated and evaluated children ages 0-3 years in early intervention programs. As a bilingual (English and Spanish) speaker, another important aspect of Elizabeth’s professional experience has been working with bilingual children and their families.
She has worked with children with cognitive impairment, specific learning disabilities, hearing impairment, cleft palate, cerebral palsy, feeding disorders, and autism spectrum disorder. Elizabeth has used a range of treatment strategies to include, oral communication, sign language, picture exchange systems, alternative augmentative communication devices, and visual support systems.
Elizabeth is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), licensed by the Virginia State Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, and holds a Postgraduate Professional License from the Commonwealth of Virginia. She graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a Masters of Education degree from Columbus State University. She is trained in the Lindamood-Bell programs Talkies© and Visualizing and Verbalizing©, and has completed Introduction to PROMPT©: Technique.
In 2016, she founded Discovery Speech and Occupational Therapy, LLC, a private practice that acts as a one-stop center for children and families in need of speech language therapy and occupational therapy.
In her leisure time, Elizabeth enjoys the beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks, running 5k’s for charity, and spending time with her husband, Chris, and traveling to visit her daughters and grandchildren.
Carole S. Fleming, MOTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Director of Occupational Therapy
Carole has over 11 years of working experience as an OT. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy from James Madison University.
She has occupational therapy experience working at a skilled nursing facility with adults rehabilitating from strokes, cardiac conditions, amputations, respiratory failure, joint replacements, traumatic brain injury, and spinal injuries. Carole has working experience with children and adolescents at a private pediatric practice. She works with children who have a variety of challenges including autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, hypotonia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and dysgraphia. She has experience collaborating with patients, families, and rehabilitation team members. Carole values a team-oriented and client-centered therapy approach. Carole has supervised fieldwork level II OT and OTA students preparing for graduation.
Carole has special program pediatric expertise with feeding therapy, Handwriting Without Tears®, the Alert Program- How Does Your Engine Run?®, Zones of Regulation®, and Social Thinking Curriculum®. Carole has Handwriting Level 1 and Early Intervention certification. She has co-treated with speech language pathologists for social skills groups and speech/OT camps for children. Carole has led small focus groups on self-regulation skills and handwriting skills.
Carole has a passion for working with children, families, and collaborating with other health care professionals. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her husband and two young children as well as visiting the Outer Banks.
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Occupational Therapist
Director of Occupational Therapy
Carole has over 11 years of working experience as an OT. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy from James Madison University.
She has occupational therapy experience working at a skilled nursing facility with adults rehabilitating from strokes, cardiac conditions, amputations, respiratory failure, joint replacements, traumatic brain injury, and spinal injuries. Carole has working experience with children and adolescents at a private pediatric practice. She works with children who have a variety of challenges including autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, developmental delay, hypotonia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and dysgraphia. She has experience collaborating with patients, families, and rehabilitation team members. Carole values a team-oriented and client-centered therapy approach. Carole has supervised fieldwork level II OT and OTA students preparing for graduation.
Carole has special program pediatric expertise with feeding therapy, Handwriting Without Tears®, the Alert Program- How Does Your Engine Run?®, Zones of Regulation®, and Social Thinking Curriculum®. Carole has Handwriting Level 1 and Early Intervention certification. She has co-treated with speech language pathologists for social skills groups and speech/OT camps for children. Carole has led small focus groups on self-regulation skills and handwriting skills.
Carole has a passion for working with children, families, and collaborating with other health care professionals. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her husband and two young children as well as visiting the Outer Banks.
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Kristen Hughes, MSOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Kristen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University.
Kristen completed her fieldwork at The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Stafford Therapy Center and Sheppard Pratt’s Residential Treatment Center. She has clinical experience working with adults diagnosed with mental illnesses and children with a variety of diagnoses such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and down syndrome.
Kristen loves the holistic approach of occupational therapy and enjoys helping her clients discover their hidden potential. In her spare time, she loves painting, traveling with her fiancé, and spending time with friends and family.
Occupational Therapist
Kristen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University.
Kristen completed her fieldwork at The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Stafford Therapy Center and Sheppard Pratt’s Residential Treatment Center. She has clinical experience working with adults diagnosed with mental illnesses and children with a variety of diagnoses such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and down syndrome.
Kristen loves the holistic approach of occupational therapy and enjoys helping her clients discover their hidden potential. In her spare time, she loves painting, traveling with her fiancé, and spending time with friends and family.
Bernadette Spoth, OTD, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Bernadette earned her Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences from Marymount University and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University. She has experience in acute care, the NICU, early intervention, and mental health, and even studied abroad in Morocco as part of her education.
During graduate school, Bernadette conducted research on executive function and transition skills for high school students. She is a member of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (VOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Bernadette is passionate about sensory processing, emotional regulation, and using play-based therapy to create meaningful interventions for children and families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, playing with her dog, Rauri, and working on stained glass projects.
Occupational Therapist
Bernadette earned her Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences from Marymount University and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Shenandoah University. She has experience in acute care, the NICU, early intervention, and mental health, and even studied abroad in Morocco as part of her education.
During graduate school, Bernadette conducted research on executive function and transition skills for high school students. She is a member of the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association (VOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Bernadette is passionate about sensory processing, emotional regulation, and using play-based therapy to create meaningful interventions for children and families. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, playing with her dog, Rauri, and working on stained glass projects.