About Me

Sirad Shirdon, PhD, CCC-SLP, is the founder and director of Sakina Speech Therapy. She has provided speech therapy services for children and adults for over 15 years. Sirad has provided speech services to people across the lifespan with various communication disorders.

In addition to her clinical work, Sirad has trained university students, speech-language pathologists, and special education professionals in the US, Canada, and Kenya on considerations for supporting culturally diverse children with communication support needs.

Sirad believes that therapy should be neurodiversity-affirming, person- and family-centered, and culturally responsive. She strives to ensure that everyone feels seen and receives services in a loving, compassionate, and gentle space. Sirad’s goal is to ensure that therapy sessions are engaging and fun!

Sirad received her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She also has a PhD in Education from The Ohio State University. Sirad’s dissertation explored the experiences of autistic Somali children in Minnesota as they transitioned into kindergarten special education.

Sirad is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed to provide services in Washington and Minnesota. Her clinical interests include autism, augmentative and alternative communication, multilingualism and positive behavior supports.

Sirad is available to provide services in English or Somali. Interpreters are available for other languages.