01/15/2026
Since we have many new families receiving services with us, and many new followers to our social media, I’m sharing our story again!
Note from Emily Sentell:
I grew up in Jasper, Alabama. When I tell someone I’m a speech therapist, usually they ask one of two questions: 1) What is that? Or 2) How did you get into that? This is what I would like for people to know:
When I was in the 2nd grade, there was a little boy in my class who had a learning disability. All of the teachers had tried and tried to teach him his ABCs, but he just couldn’t seem to get them. The teachers asked me to work with him, thinking he might have an easier time working with a peer. He did eventually learn his ABCs while we were working together, but never learned to read. Several years down the road, I had another teacher. Unfortunately, she was much less sensitive to his needs. The assignment she gave that child with special needs was to copy vocabulary words from the glossary- which perhaps was not the most practical assignment for a child who was unable to read. Even at a young age, I understood that the assignment was not given to help him read, but instead, was given to keep him busy. I remember very vividly one day when this child had to inform our teacher that he didn’t finish the assignment on time. He looked so sad as she fussed at him, and as he walked away, she mumbled, “His education is just a joke.”
Let’s just say, I was fuming. And sad. And hurt. And disappointed that someone in her position would even think that. From that point on, I knew that I wanted to “help kids one at a time.” At that age, I didn’t know the word “advocate,” but that is what I intended my life’s work to be. Speech therapy is my avenue.
I transferred to Sumiton Christian High School, where I was the pitcher on the softball team. I loved it. I made some of my best friends on the ball field, and made some of the best memories with my dad during those years. I will never forget the feeling of being a part of a state championship team. I absolutely loved playing ball. For a while, I thought I would go on to play college ball. I just couldn’t see myself giving it up. I received an academic scholarship to Auburn, and my heart just knew it was time to give up the athletic scholarships and get on with my life’s calling- becoming a speech therapist. I graduated from Auburn University with my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Communication Disorders. During my time at Auburn, I completed internships and clinical placements at The Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic, Central Alabama Veteran’s Healthcare System (Tuskegee VA), and Children’s Hospital.
Speech therapy gives me the opportunity to work with children, and their families, to make daily life a little easier. I have also always had a heart for the geriatric population. Since I was a child, some of my best friends have been over the age of 80, and I was so blessed to be able to work in the nursing homes here in Jasper for a year after finishing graduate school.
Almost 8 years ago, I opened Speech Works of Alabama, LLC. We now have 3 additional SLPs on staff, as well as an SLPA. We also added OT services last year, and we have a wonderful OTR and COTA on our team. While we have grown, some things remain the same. Since our start, we have been committed providing quality services to our clients. We have also been committed to actively involving the families of clients in the development of treatment plans, and adjusting those plans to meet current needs of our clients. We have also prioritized keeping family members informed of progress made in each session and throughout treatment.

I opened this clinic to “help one kid at a time.” There are so many kids who need help, and we want to be able to meet those needs.
If you believe your child could benefit from speech therapy or occupational therapy, give us a call! We accept the following insurance: All Kids, BCBS, Medicaid, Viva. We also accept private pay.
205-512-1117
