Ariela Shandling brings deep expertise in adult medical speech pathology, with a special focus on palliative care, neurodegenerative disorders, and complex swallowing and cognitive needs. She is known for her compassionate care philosophy – supporting patients and families through diagnoses such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cancer, and traumatic brain injury, and guiding them through every stage of change.

Ariela earned her Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. At CSUN, she trained extensively in the general, neurology, and early intervention clinics at the Language, Speech and Hearing Center. She went on to complete an internship at Vermont Avenue Elementary School and an externship at Good Samaritan Hospital, where she received specialized training in adult acute care, neurorehabilitation, dysphagia management, and infant feeding and swallowing in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Her clinical work today is grounded in years of experience treating patients with progressive conditions, multiple strokes, memory and communication changes, and end-of-life needs. She partners closely with families and interdisciplinary medical teams, offering education, counseling, preventative strategies, and tailored therapy that emphasizes patient-centered goals over clinical conventions.

Ariela is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) as well as licensure from the California Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French, she brings cultural sensitivity, warmth, and unwavering dedication to every individual she serves. Ariela is a mother of 3 and is passionate about sports, theater, and music!