MEET OUR TEAM
Ashley Hamlin, MS, CCC-SLP
Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist
Ashley is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist licensed in Alabama and has over a decade of experience working with children with a variety of speech and language disorders. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Alabama in 2011 and currently contracts with Shelby County Schools where she serves on the preschool developmental evaluation team. Her clinical interests include early childhood language, speech sound disorders, apraxia, gestalt language, and AAC.
Ashley is an Alabaster native, married to her high school sweetheart and together they have three children. Her experience balancing family life and a career working with children shapes the heart behind her clinic and the way she supports the families she serves.
Emma Plunkett, M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Emma is an ASHA certified SLP and is licensed to practice in the state of Alabama. She received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Bachelors Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama. She graduated with her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. Emma has experience working with children of all ages with an array of speech and language disorders including speech-sound disorders, language delay and disorders, fluency disorders and social communication disorder secondary to autism spectrum disorder. Emma enjoys collaborating with the patient and their families to provide meaningful therapy and help them grow their confidence in communicating.
Julia Sturges, MS, CF-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Julia is excited to begin her career at Alpha Kids! She received her Bachelors Degree in Communicative Disorders and her Masters Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Alabama. Julia has experience working in an elementary school and pediatric clinic. She has worked with children of all ages with speech and language disorders, including speech sound disorders, language delays and disorders, and social communication disorders. She also has experience working with children with a variety of medical and developmental diagnoses, including Autism and Cerebral Palsy. She loves collaborating with families and watching her clients grow throughout the therapy experience!
Karoline Traynor, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Karoline is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist licensed to practice in Alabama. She earned her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montevallo in 2017. Karoline has experience working with children of all ages and abilities, and her clinical interests include speech sound disorders, early language development, and AAC. She enjoys collaborating with families and strives to create a positive environment where children feel encouraged and motivated to grow.
Outside of the clinic, Karoline enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and baking. She is married to her high school sweetheart and loves making memories with their two young children.
Emily Norris
Administrative Assistant
Emily has always had a genuine love for working with children and feels so grateful to play a role in helping them grow into confident, kind, and capable individuals. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Alabama and has had the joy of working with children of all ages throughout her career.
What Emily enjoys most about her work is watching each child’s unique personality shine as they learn and reach new milestones. She finds it incredibly rewarding to be part of an environment that not only supports children but also uplifts their families along the way.
Outside of work, Emily is happily married and a proud mom to a wonderful daughter. She cherishes time spent with family and friends, whether it’s a fun weekend outing, a cozy meal together, or simply enjoying life’s little moments.