Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Fred Rogers

Hi, I'm Kat Sandys

Founder of Little Language Lab

I am passionate about supporting families, connecting people with resources, and unlocking communication in children.

Prior to beginning my work as a speech-language pathologist I worked as an English tutor, nanny, and after school teacher. During this time, I knew working with children was my calling but the large classroom setting wasn’t quite right. After spending time with two young children with developmental language disorders at a summer camp, I decided kids like them were who she wanted to serve. I continued on to graduate school at San Jose State University, where I received my Masters degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences in 2014.

I spent the next 8 years working with children in schools. Most of these years I was on an interdisciplinary team assessing children ages 2 years, 10 months to age 5. I also ran a language-based preschool program, Language and Early Articulation for Preschoolers (LEAP) for children ages 3-5 with language-based disabilities. The absolute best part about LEAP was I finally had control over how my students' therapy was delivered in a space that was uniquely designed for how they learned best...through PLAY. We played and grew so much together! I have assessed and treated over 500 children and I hope that number continues to grow each year. I have provided private speech therapy in San Jose since January of 2023.

I am an active member of my local community. I serve on the Las Madres board as the Membership Director (check out Las Madres!). I also have served on my local speech-language pathology organization, Santa Clara County Speech, Language, and Hearing (SCCSHA), board since 2016. I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) and a CA state speech-language pathology license.

I was born, and raised, in the SF Bay Area. When not providing therapy, I can be found with my husband and two young boys, enjoying the outdoors, eating dim sum, and reading through my never-ending to-be-read pile.

Testimonials

Jessica

Thank you so much for the kindness and support! You did not have to hold my hand through this process, but you DID! Even when it meant referring us to a different provider, your expertise and spending the time to get to know our needs, counseling us, and referring us was one of the kindest things a provider has done in our autism journey so far.

Aditi

Coaching with Kat has given us the confidence to support our daughter in a way we couldn’t have without her help. She never saw just her deficits. I will never forget how she got her engaged and interacting in one session. Kat has been a blessing to our family.