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Speech-Language Pathologist and Graduate Student Present Together at Virginia's Premier Early Childhood Conference
For most parents, watching a child pursue the same passion is incredibly rewarding. For Erin Ngov, M.S., CCC-SLP, that pride reached a new level when she had the opportunity to present alongside her daughter, Tessa Ngov, at the Creating Connections to Shining Stars 2026 statewide conference in Roanoke, Virginia.
Creating Connections to Shining Stars is Virginia's premier conference for Part-C Early Intervention and Part-B Early Childhood Special Education professionals. The annual conference brings together educators, therapists, administrators, and family leaders from across the Commonwealth to share innovative, evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, and young children with disabilities.
Erin, a speech-language pathologist with Aveanna Healthcare, contracts with Longwood University’s Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland (ITC) to provide early intervention speech-language services to children and families throughout the region. Joining her as a co-presenter was her daughter, Tessa Ngov, a second-year Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate student at Longwood University and a Service Coordinator with ITC. Tessa is currently preparing to become a speech-language pathologist, following in her mother's footsteps while already making meaningful contributions to Virginia's early intervention system.
Together, they co-presented "Neurodiversity Affirming Practices within the Framework of the Pyramid Model." The session explored how early intervention providers can support the social-emotional development of neurodivergent children by integrating neurodiversity-affirming practices within the Pyramid Model Framework. Participants learned practical strategies for embedding inclusive practices throughout the early intervention process while emphasizing collaboration among members of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team.
The presentation represented much more than a conference session. It showcased the power of mentorship, family, and a shared commitment to serving young children and their families. As an experienced clinician, Erin has devoted her career to helping children develop communication skills and empowering caregivers through evidence-based, family-centered practices. Presenting alongside her daughter demonstrated how passion for the profession can be passed from one generation to the next.
For Tessa, the opportunity was especially significant. As she continues her graduate education and clinical training, presenting at Virginia's leading early intervention conference offered a chance to share her knowledge with professionals from across the Commonwealth while learning from experienced leaders in the field. It also marked an exciting milestone on her journey toward becoming a speech-language pathologist.
The Infant & Toddler Connection of the Heartland is proud to celebrate both Erin and Tessa for representing the program and contributing to the advancement of early intervention practice in Virginia. Their story is a reminder that the strongest professional partnerships are often rooted in mentorship, encouragement, and a shared desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Congratulations to Erin and Tessa on this remarkable accomplishment. Their presentation not only highlighted innovative practices in early intervention but also demonstrated the lasting impact of family, mentorship, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of young children across the Commonwealth.
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