Our Austin Speech Language Pathologist Team!

Meet The Team

Ellen Kester, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

President & Founder, Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

Dr. Kester founded Bilinguistics to meet the speech and language needs of children from diverse backgrounds. She provides workshops around the United States and beyond on bilingualism, assessment of bilingual students, and effective intervention practices. Dr. Kester has served as Adjunct Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, teaching courses in language development, assessment and intervention, early childhood intervention, preschoolers with special needs, and measurement. Her research and clinical work address the important issue of differentiating bilingual children with typical development from those with language impairment, and identifying appropriate goals for intervention with bilinguals. Ellen’s passion for languages started when she lived in Asia as a teenager. She learned to speak a little Malay and Mandarin and studied French while in Asia. She then returned to Texas several years later and decided Spanish would be useful too. She dove into the world of bilingual assessments in graduate school and that continues to be her passion in the field of speech-language pathology. When she’s not working, she loves being on the tennis court or traveling with her husband and three children. Ellen’s Professional Bio. Image 1. Image 2.

Scott Prath, M.A., CCC-SLP

Vice President, Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

Scott has been working as a bilingual speech pathologist in Austin, Texas since 2004 and is the Vice President of Bilinguistics. He has worked in Early-Childhood Intervention and currently serves bilingual children in the schools and clinic setting. His research focuses on developing protocols, materials, and professional development to better serve special populations such as Autism, VPI, and second-language learners.

Scott presents to Speech-Language Pathologists nationally and internationally, and translates for the Spanish-speaking community in Austin. His conversations and presentations are fun, circuitous rides that weave quotes, history, and humor into any discussion. Scott is masterful and methodical at turning the passions and interests of the staff into the books, presentations, and courses that you see throughout this website. Scott’s Professional Bio. Image 1. Image 2.

Chelsey Contillo, M.A., CCC-SLP

Clinical Manager, Speech Language Pathologist

Chelsey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) from the University of Florida. She taught in an elementary school for one year before earning a Master of Arts degree in CSD from her alma mater. Chelsey’s experience providing speech and feeding therapy to children at a clinic in Beijing was transformative. She had the opportunity to volunteer at nearby orphanages and educate caregivers on language development and safe feeding practices for children with severe disabilities. Chelsey values her relationships with families and especially enjoys the parent/caregiver engagement in early childhood intervention. She brings all of her experience and expertise to her role as Clinical Supervisor for Bilinguistics.

Chelsey has a working knowledge of Spanish language and is continues improving her Spanish language fluency to provide services to Spanish-speaking children. Chelsey was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and moved to Austin for her final semester of graduate school. She fell in love with the city’s charm and decided to stay for another 5 years. Following her adventurous spirit, Chelsey moved to Beijing, China for one year before spending time in California’s Bay Area. She’s returned to Austin with a family in tow and is thrilled to be reconnected with her community. Chelsey can be found around town eating tacos, riding her bike, dancing, and chasing after her toddler.

Alejandra Guzman-Buitrago, M.S., CCC-SLP

Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

Alejandra earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the University of Texas at Austin. She received her Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Texas at Austin. She first began working with children with special needs as a volunteer at an institute in Colombia. During her academic years, she has worked with children with Down Syndrome and Autism. She is passionate about working with children because she likes to make positive impact in children’s life.

As a student, Alejandra’s clinical rotations included The University of Texas Elementary school, The University of Texas at Austin speech and hearing clinic and Dell children’s Rehabilitation center. She is originally from Colombia and she has been living in Austin since 2012. She is excited to continue working with children from different backgrounds and provide effective speech therapy for bilingual children. When she is not working, Alejandra loves spending time with her family, and her two dogs. She enjoys going to the movies, traveling and learning about different cultures and languages.

Jan Holst Chaires, PhD, CF-SLP

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist – Clinical Fellow

Jan earned his Bachelor of Literature and Language Sciences from the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana (Mexico). He received his Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Texas at Austin. He is originally from Mexico and moved to Austin in 2022.

Jan became interested in speech and language therapy during his PhD and MD in Linguistics from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (Mexico). During those degrees, his research was focused on language development and language impairment, specifically in the use of subjunctive among Spanish-speaking children with language impairment and in the comprehension of spatial deictic terms in Spanish-speaking children with ASD. Jan has also worked as a Spanish teacher at a junior high school and as a Linguistics adjunct professor at the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia in Mexico City.

As a student at The University of Texas at Austin, Jan’s clinical rotations included The University of Texas at Austin Speech and Hearing Clinic, The Multilingual Aphasia and Dementia Lab, and KIPP Paseo Primary. He is now a Clinical Fellow, pursuing his Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

Patricia De La Torre, M.S., SLP-CF

Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist – Clinical Fellow

Patricia De La Torre is a bilingual clinician with a strong foundation in both psychology and communication sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida International University, along with a leveling certification in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). She later completed her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. During her graduate studies, Patricia gained diverse clinical experience through rotations at Jacob’s Well Elementary and Blue Hole Primary School in Wimberley, Texas; pediatric home health with Therapy 2000, specializing in dysphagia; and two placements at Austin Speech Labs, an outpatient clinic serving stroke survivors with speech and cognitive therapy.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Patricia relocated to Austin in 2021. Her background working in hospital settings sparked her passion for speech-language pathology, particularly after witnessing healthcare disparities affecting Cuban-American Latinos in her community. This inspired her to become an advocate for culturally responsive care and education for clients and their caregivers.

Patricia takes a holistic, person-centered approach to therapy—considering each individual’s unique needs and circumstances. As a clinical fellow, she remains committed to lifelong learning, especially in areas related to bilingualism, cultural competence, and evidence-based practices in communication disorders. Outside of her professional life, Patricia enjoys walking her dogs, spending time with family, and exploring nature. Her bucket list includes visiting national parks and traveling internationally.