Pediatric Speech Therapist In Portland, Oregon
Hi, I'm Dr. Gayatri Ram.
PhD-trained speech-language pathologist, literacy specialist, mom of two independent daughters, and founder of Synapse Kids.
I help families understand the “why” behind their child’s communication, language, literacy, and learning challenges.
If you've tried therapy, followed recommendations, and still feel like something is missing, you're not alone.
At SynapseKids, I provide the clinical insight needed to identify what is driving your child’s difficulties and create a clear path forward.
Because meaningful progress starts with understanding the whole picture.
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Why I Started SynapseKids
I kept seeing the same pattern.
Families were doing everything they were told and still leaving therapy without a clear understanding of what was actually happening for their child.
Not because anyone was doing anything wrong. But because most systems don't allow enough time or space to truly understand the whole child. That’s why I created SynapseKids.
A practice where I could slow down, look beyond test scores, and understand how each child regulates, connects, processes language, learns, and engages with the world.
Because when parents truly understand their child, everything changes.
My Core Belief
Communication is more than speech.
It is shaped by regulation, language processing, connection, and a child’s interaction with the world around them.
When a child is struggling, the answer is rarely to work harder. It is to understand what is getting in the way.
Children are doing the best they can with the tools they have. My role is to understand the system and support conditions for growth.
My Approach
At SynapseKids, I use a regulation-first, relationship based approach guided by three principles:
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Connect – Build regulation, engagement, and trust.
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Model – Provide language input matched to how a child processes communication.
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Build – Develop functional communication and literacy skills that carry into everyday life.
When regulation, language, and learning work together, progress becomes possible.
Who I Work With
I work with children who are struggling to communicate, learn, connect, or thrive and the families looking for answers and a clear path forward.
My areas of expertise include:
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Late talking and developmental language delays
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Autism and gestalt language processing
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Reading challenges and dyslexia
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Articulation and speech sound disorders
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Bilingual and multilingual language development
Some families are just beginning to ask questions. Others have already tried therapy and are looking for deeper answers. In both cases, my goal is the same: to provide clarity, understanding, and a path forward that feels right for your child.
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My Background & Journey
My journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist began long before graduate school.
I moved to the United States from India with two suitcases and one backpack, pursuing an education and a path I believed in. That journey led me to earn both my Master’s and PhD in Speech-Language Pathology and Literacy.
Along the way, I learned that meaningful growth rarely happens overnight. It happens through patience, persistence, and small steps forward.
Over the past 15 years, I've worked with children and families across early intervention, medical settings, schools, and university clinics. Those experiences taught me to look beyond reports and test scores to understand the whole child.
Becoming a parent deepened that perspective. My daughters have taught me that growth often happens in small moments and that children thrive when they are met with connection, consistency, and understanding.
Today, I bring together the perspectives of a clinician, researcher, and parent to support families in helping their children move forward with confidence.
Life Beyond
Work
Outside of work, you'll usually find me hiking in the Pacific Northwest, tending to our vegetable garden, or cooking vegetarian meals for family and friends.
Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters building forts, creating sensory play, and getting lost in imaginative adventures together. Those everyday moments continue to shape how I think about connection, communication, and child development.
A Final Note...
If you are here, you are likely trying to better understand your child and what they need to move forward. You do not need all the answers before reaching out. My goal is not ongoing therapy, but meaningful progress that leads to confidence, independence, and real-world communication. When appropriate, I also support families in continuing that growth beyond sessions. I will meet your child with care, clinical clarity, and attention to what is truly driving their communication profile. Together, we will identify strengths, challenges, and a realistic path forward. If you are ready to take the next step, we will begin with an initial consultation or evaluation designed to bring clarity to what is happening and how to support your child best.
Start Here
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.