Alumna Pays it Forward, Mentors Current Speech-Language Pathology Students at Her NWA Clinic

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Meredith Henson (left) and her sister, Diana Plattner, own Lexicon NWA together.

Meredith Henson graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2014 with a degree in speech-language pathology. She now runs a clinic of her own where current U of A Communication Sciences and Disorders majors gain hands-on practice in the field.

Meredith joined forces with her sister, Diana Plattner, more than four years ago to open Lexicon Northwest Arkansas. Meredith focuses on speech and language concerns in kids and Diana focuses on dyslexia and reading struggles. The two had been practicing separately at other clinics, but they often consulted with one other about their clients who had overlapping concerns.

"Each area is its own beast, and we felt there was a need in Northwest Arkansas for a 'one stop shop' where those skills could be addressed by specialists in each area under one roof," she said. "We've since focused all our training and continued education on speech, language and literacy and how they impact one another."

Meredith manages all things speech and language related, including evaluations, therapy and U of A internships. Diana runs the reading side, including a reading internship program.

"We heavily collaborate when our students have deficits that cross over and we need to take a multidisciplinary approach," she said.

Meredith didn't start out in speech-language pathology. She first earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish from the U of A. She began working in marketing at a commercial real estate company after graduation.

"After working there for a few years, I knew it was time to pivot. I wanted to work with kids," she said.

She returned to the U of A to pursue a speech-language pathology degree in the College of Education and Health Professions and quickly learned that the scope of practice for the field is broad.

"It was in my phonology and articulation class with Dr. Kimberly Frazier that I really felt I'd found my passion in this field," she said. "I knew it was what I was supposed to do. I love all things articulation and language. I love the literacy and language collaboration that takes place at Lexicon."

Meredith encourages interns and new graduates to pair their passion with continuing education to find a niche that feels just right.

"This is truly one of the most rewarding career paths," she said.

This story is the latest in a series called the Dean's Spotlight, featuring outstanding students in the College of Education and Health Professions. Visit COEHP's online magazine, the Colleague, for more news from the six units that make up the College. Visit the Communication Sciences and Disorders page for more information on COEHP's speech-language pathology program.