Pediatric Speech Therapist in Portland, Oregon
Dr. Gayatri Ram, PhD., CCC-SLP
Specialization in child language development, literacy and autism
Hello!
I’m Dr. Gayatri Ram, a PhD-trained speech-language pathologist, literacy specialist, mom of two strong willed daughters and the founder of Synapse Kids in Portland, Oregon.
I work with families who are either just beginning to worry about their child’s speech and language development or families who have already tried therapy and are still left with the same question:
“Why is my child still not progressing the way we expected?”
At SynapseKids, I do not offer generalized therapy plans or isolated skill practice. I provide a clinical understanding of what is actually driving your child’s communication profile and what specifically needs to change for progress to happen.
This is where clarity begins. Click below to book your free consult to get started!
Why I started SynapseKids
I started SynapseKids because I kept seeing the same pattern.
Families were showing up, doing everything they were told to do, and still leaving therapy without a clear understanding of what was actually happening for their child even after being years in therapy.
Not because anyone was doing anything wrong but because most systems do not allow enough time or space to truly understand the whole child.
I wanted to create something different.
A practice where I could slow down enough to understand each child deeply, not just their speech, but how they regulate, connect, process language, and engage with the world.
A space where families are not rushed through answers, but given time, clarity, and real understanding.
Because when parents understand their child clearly, everything changes!
SynapseKids exists to replace uncertainty with clear understanding, so you can move forward with confidence and know exactly how to support your child.
My Core Belief
Communication is not just speech.
It is a system made up of:
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regulation
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language processing
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connection
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and interaction with the environment
When a child is struggling, it is rarely just a speech delay.
It is usually a mismatch between how the child communicates and how the environment is responding.
Children are almost always doing the best they can with the tools they have.
When communication breaks down, the role of therapy is not to “fix the child,” but to understand what is happening in the system so we can support development in a way that actually works.
My Approach
At SynapseKids, I use a regulation-first, relationship-based approach guided by:
Connect → Model → Build
Connect
I begin with regulation and engagement, based on your child’s sensory and developmental profile. Because without regulation, access to communication and learning is limited.
Model
I provide language input that is carefully matched to how your child processes and organizes communication.
Build
I develop functional communication and early literacy skills that carry into real-life interactions at home, in play, and in learning environments.
When we understand how regulation, language, and learning work together, we can support both communication and literacy in a way that truly carries into everyday life.
Who I work with
I support children and families navigating:
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Developmental delays and late talkers
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Neurodivergent children (Autism/ Gestalt language processor)
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Children with reading difficulties/ Dyslexia
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Children with articulation and phonological disorders
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Children from bilingual and multilingual households
Some families are just beginning to ask questions. They have been asked to contact a speech therapist after their child's 15 month or 18 month well child visit.
Others have already tried therapy and still feel unsure about what is actually happening in therapy.
In both cases, my role is the same:
To provide clear understanding, thoughtful guidance, and a plan that makes sense for your child.
My Background & Journey
I am someone who has built my life and my work with intention, persistence, and a deep respect for growth.
I came to the United States from India with two suitcases and one backpack leaving behind everything familiar to pursue an education and a path I believed in. That path led me to pursue advanced training in child language and literacy, completing both my Master’s and PhD in Speech-Language Pathology & Literacy. There was no roadmap, no shortcuts, just a willingness to work hard, learn continuously, and figure things out along the way. That experience shaped me in ways that go far beyond my degree.
It taught me resilience, yes, but also patience, humility, and the understanding that real progress doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through consistency, through small steps, and through staying grounded in who you are, even when everything around you is new.
That is a perspective I carry into every part of my work.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked with children and families across medical settings, early intervention, schools, and university clinical programs.
I’ve been in rooms where parents are hearing difficult information for the first time.
I’ve supported children who communicate in ways that are not immediately understood.
And I’ve worked alongside families who are trying their best, while quietly wondering if they’re doing the right things.
Those experiences have shaped how I think as a clinician.
Not just in terms of what to do, but how to listen, how to observe, and how to truly understand a child beyond what is written in a report.
Becoming a parent added another layer to that understanding.
My daughters have shaped my work in ways no training ever could. They’ve taught me to slow down, to be present, and to recognize that growth often happens in small, easily missed moments.
They’ve also reminded me that children don’t need perfection but they need connection, consistency, and adults who are willing to meet them where they are.
Today, I bring together clinical expertise, lived experience, and a grounded, real-world perspective to my work with families.
I am not approaching your child from a place of theory alone. I am bringing years of experience, the perspective of a parent, and the understanding that development is not linear, and that getting it right for your child matters deeply. Because when we take the time to truly understand a child, we can support them in ways that are lasting and effective!
Life beyond Work
Outside of my work, I find grounding in the simple rhythms of everyday life and spending time with family!
I love spending time outdoors especially hiking in the Pacific Northwest, where nature brings a sense of calm and perspective that carries into how I work with children and families.
At home, I enjoy cooking vegetarian meals, hosting friends and family, and tending to our vegetable garden. I value creating spaces where people feel connected, at ease, and cared for.
Most of all, I love spending time with my two daughters, building forts, creating sensory play from everyday materials, and getting lost in pretend play. Those moments continue to remind me that development happens through connection, play, and joyful shared experiences.
My Goal for Every Child
My goal for every child is not ongoing dependency on therapy, but meaningful progress that leads to independence, confidence, and real-world communication. I want children to develop the skills they need in a way that feels natural and sustainable, and for families to feel clear about how to support that growth long after sessions end. When appropriate, I actively work toward helping children graduate from therapy with the tools they need to continue progressing in their everyday environments, because true success is not measured by how long therapy continues, but by how fully a child can communicate and thrive beyond it.
A Final Note...
If you are here, you are likely trying to understand your child more clearly and figure out what the right next step looks like.
You do not need to have all the answers before reaching out.
My role is to help you make sense of what is happening, identify what is driving your child’s communication profile, and create a clear, realistic path forward that fits your child and your family.
I will show up for your child with care, consistency, and clinical clarity and I will walk alongside you through the process, celebrating every small step of progress along the way.
If you are ready to better understand your child’s communication and what they need to move forward, the first step is an initial consultation or evaluation.
Together, we will look at your child’s strengths, challenges, and communication profile and create a plan that makes sense for your family.