Meet Allyson Zimmerman, Speech Therapist

Allyson Zimmerman has always appreciated the importance of communication and how it allows us to build relationships. That’s why she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University and became a speech language pathologist.

After a brief period of working in a nursing home, she spent ten years as a speech therapist for a school district, working with kids from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Toward the end of her school career her focus was specialized populations. While there, she met Jess Tofany, who worked with deaf and hearing impaired students at her school.

Once Allyson had her third child, she began looking for a part-time opportunity that allowed her to keep doing what she loved but offered more flexibility for her family. When her son began receiving early intervention, she realized that being a provider might be a good fit. She reached out to Jess in 2021 about joining Happy Hearts, but when her district offered her additional flexibility she stayed a bit longer. In fall 2023 she contacted Jess again, interviewed and was hired, and began working with families in January 2024.

As Allyson expected, early intervention was an excellent fit. “Because I’ve gone through this as a parent, I've been where they are and can connect to them on that level,” she shares. One of her children is autistic, so that is another experience she shares with some of her clients. She also enjoys working with the birth to three age range and their families after so many years supporting older kids, and the flexibility is awesome for her own family. 

She loves seeing parents’ delight when they practice a strategy and it works. “My favorite part of the job is witnessing their excitement when their child hits their target, and they know they achieved that together.”

Now a mom of four, when she’s not working, she’s very busy with her children’s extracurriculars. “I love watching our kids doing the things they love!” That includes practically every sport: basketball, softball, dance, gymnastics, and soccer. Her oldest is fifteen, and her youngest is five months. Her middle children are eight and four. Her family goes to Disney every two to three years, and has their next trip planned for the fall. In addition to traveling, they like to play board games and take walks together.

Allyson encourages all parents who are starting early intervention to reach out to their therapist whenever they’re unsure about anything. “Reaching out is a win-win,” she shares. “We don’t want you to have any regrets. You’re the expert on your child. Your thoughts and decisions and opinions matter and are just as important as what your therapist brings to the table. That’s how we create a true partnership.”