MEET THE THERAPIST

Pearl Hernandez, MS, MEd, CCC-SLP

Pearl is a board-certified speech language pathologist licensed in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Educated in both Speech Language Pathology and Special Education, she is both an expert and advocate for children with severe disabilities. She believes that speech therapy makes the most impact when working with children and their families within their community.

Pearl is motivated to improve equity and access to high quality speech therapy in the settings she serves. She has extensive experience working with children and adults across different settings including schools, outpatient clinics, hospitals and home-based early intervention programs. Her expertise include areas of autism, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), developmental delays, langauge disorders, articulation/phonological disorders, and literacy.

Pearl is also a proud Filipino immigrant who understands the importance of cultures, languages, and identities in building communication and establishing connectedness within the community.

Credentials:

  • B.A. Hearing and Speech Sciences – Univeristy of Maryland (2015)
  • M.S. Speech Language Pathology – University of South Florida (2017)
  • M.Ed. Special Education for Students with Severe Disabilities – University of Maryland (2022)

Certifications/Affiliations:

  • Lexia LETRS for Early Childhood Educators
  • Hanen Certified – More than Words Program
  • AAC Institute – LAMP Words for Life
  • ASHA Leadership Mentorship Program (2022)
  • ASHA Leadership Development Program – Schools (2024)
  • ASHA SIG 1 Affiliate – Language Learning and Education
  • ASHA SIG 12 Affiliate – Augmentative and Alternative Communication

ABOUT THE NAME

F & P Hernandez Maternity and Lying-in Clinic

Before migrating to the United States, Pearl’s parents were doctors in the Philippines, who owned and operated a small maternity clinic named F & P Hernandez Maternity and Lying-in Clinic. Despite having no more than 10 beds, this clinic proudly served the community for over 23 years. With service and compassion at its core, F & P Hernandez left a lasting legacy in helping build countless families in the community. Pearl’s parents continue to serve as nurses here in the United States.

Inspired by this legacy, Family Partners is dedicated to serve the community through family-centered practices. We deeply understand the crucial role of the family in a child’s development. When parents and caregivers are equipped with knowledge and skills to support intervention, progress is more readily achieved in the setting that matters the most – at home.