Your Black Hills Speech-Language Pathology clinic

Committed to Our Community.

A group of ten women, most wearing black scrubs and one in red scrubs, sitting and standing in a room with dark teal walls, smiling at the camera.
A group of ten women, most wearing black scrubs and one in red scrubs, sitting and standing in a room with dark teal walls, smiling at the camera.

Dakota Speech and Swallow Center was founded on the belief that families in Rapid City, the Black Hills, and surrounding rural communities deserve access to the same high-quality, specialized speech, swallowing, cognitive-communication, and orofacial myofunctional care available in major metropolitan areas — without having to leave home or rely solely on telehealth to find it.

Founded by two local Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), DSSC began as a shared dream rooted in service, clinical excellence, and deep care for the communities that shaped us. We recognized a growing need for specialized speech therapy and swallowing services in western South Dakota, along with a need to create meaningful career opportunities for Speech-Language Pathologists who wanted to build their careers while serving the communities they call home.

What started as a handful of therapy sessions in the basement of an old medical center has grown into the first-of-its-kind specialty speech, swallowing, cognition, and myofunctional therapy clinic in western South Dakota and the surrounding region. Today, DSSC provides specialized evaluations and therapy for children and adults with communication disorders, swallowing disorders, cognitive-communication challenges, voice and upper airway disorders, and orofacial myofunctional disorders.

Our specialty team is committed to practicing at the highest level of the profession through advanced training, evidence-based treatment, innovative diagnostics, and a whole-person approach to care. As the only clinic in the region offering this level of specialized, interdisciplinary speech and swallowing care under one roof, we are proud to help fill a longstanding gap in access for families across the Black Hills and neighboring rural communities.

Beyond providing exceptional patient care, DSSC is committed to strengthening the field of speech-language pathology in our region by creating opportunities for clinicians to grow, collaborate, specialize, and thrive. We are honored to serve as a trusted clinical resource for families, healthcare providers, schools, and professionals throughout South Dakota while continuing to raise the standard for specialized speech therapy and swallowing care close to home.

Our Mission

At Dakota Speech and Swallow Center, our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based, and innovative care across the full scope of speech-language pathology- including speech, language, cognition, voice, fluency, oral sensory-motor function, feeding, AAC, swallowing, FEES, breathing function and airway health, and orofacial myofunctional disorders. Through individualized treatment, advanced assessment, and authentic collaboration, we empower individuals and families to achieve functional, lasting outcomes while strengthening the community we serve.

Our Vision

To lead the evolution of speech-language pathology through whole-system care — treating communication, swallowing, cognition, voice, and orofacial respiratory function as interconnected foundations of human health — and setting the standard for innovative, evidence-based practice, education, and transformative community impact.

Our Core Values

Compassion

We lead with empathy, respect, and genuine care, honoring the experiences and goals of every individual and family we serve.

Evidence-Based Innovation

We integrate the latest research, clinical expertise, advanced diagnostic tools, and forward-thinking approaches to deliver care that is both scientifically grounded and creatively effective.

Tailored Care

We believe therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Every plan is individualized to honor each person’s unique anatomy, goals, lifestyle, and story.

Authenticity

We communicate transparently, practice ethically, and build meaningful therapeutic relationships rooted in honesty and professionalism.

Empowerment

We equip individuals, families, and fellow professionals with knowledge and strategies that create sustainable change beyond the therapy setting.

Community & Trust

We cultivate collaborative partnerships and serve as a trusted clinical resource— with families, providers, and colleagues — built on collaboration, reliability, and mutual respect.

At DSSC, we view every patient as an individual with a unique story, goals, and support system — not simply a referral, diagnosis, or treatment plan.

Thank you for trusting Dakota Speech and Swallow Center with your care. It is an honor to serve the region we call home.

Two women standing in front of a sign for the Dakota Speech & Swallow Center, smiling at the camera, with dark hair and wearing black jackets.
Two women standing in front of a sign for the Dakota Speech & Swallow Center, smiling at the camera, with dark hair and wearing black jackets.
A group of women sitting around a conference table in a meeting room, smiling and engaging in conversation.
A group of women sitting around a conference table in a meeting room, smiling and engaging in conversation.
Contact Us

Meet Our Team

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Maggie Klapperich
MS, CCC-SLP/L

Co-Owner, Provider

Born and raised in Rapid City, Maggie’s passion for speech-language pathology began early after witnessing her father’s loss of communication abilities. This experience shaped her commitment to helping individuals regain their voice and participate fully in their daily lives. She earned her Master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and returned home to serve her community. Maggie has developed a broad clinical foundation across hospitals, schools, and early intervention settings, supporting individuals with a wide range of speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication needs.

A nationally recognized clinician in motor speech disorders, Maggie brings specialized expertise to complex speech clarity challenges. Her clinical focus centers on apraxia of speech, including both childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and acquired apraxia of speech, where she utilizes evidence-based motor speech approaches to support speech planning, sequencing, coordination, and functional communication. Her dedication to advancing the field extends beyond clinical care, as she has contributed to published research focused on childhood apraxia of speech, helping expand understanding and treatment approaches for individuals with motor speech disorders.

Maggie’s passion for neurological communication extends throughout the lifespan. She specializes in adult neurorehabilitation, supporting individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, aphasia, and other neurological conditions that impact speech, language, cognition, swallowing, and functional communication. Maggie is a member of the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS), reflecting her commitment to advancing evidence-based care for individuals with neurological communication disorders. Her treatment approach integrates current research, individualized goal development, and functional strategies to help patients rebuild confidence and independence in their communication.

Committed to continued professional growth, Maggie is currently working toward becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) to further expand her expertise in supporting individuals navigating the complex challenges associated with brain injury and neurological recovery.

A woman with long brown hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black shirt, sitting on a small wooden chair in a cozy living room, smiling with her hand near her chin. In the background, there is a gray couch with a pillow that has the word 'breathe' written on it, and a dark green wall with a picture frame and a gold lamp.

Tiffany Trask
MA, CCC-SLP/L, E-RYT200/RCYT, certBBM

Co-Owner, Provider

Tiffany is a dedicated lifelong learner who is passionate about helping patients optimize their overall well-being through the connection between breathing, oral function, communication, and nervous system regulation. After earning her Master’s from the University of South Dakota and completing training at Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinics, she built a diverse clinical foundation across private practice, schools, telehealth, non-profits, and early intervention.

A true trailblazer, Tiffany was the first speech-language pathologist in the region to specialize in Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), establishing a legacy of leadership in advanced airway and functional healthcare that she continues to expand today. Navigating her own orofacial myofunctional disorder and sleep-disordered breathing gives her a firsthand perspective into what patients experience, bringing a deep sense of empathy and understanding to her clinical practice.

Tiffany’s expertise bridges traditional speech-language pathology with specialized care for the entire orofacial complex. She takes a comprehensive, systems-based approach to evaluating and treating the interconnected factors that influence speech, swallowing, breathing, sleep, movement, and overall function. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Tiffany integrates evidence-based assessment and intervention with breathing retraining, myofunctional principles, manual therapy techniques, and nervous system regulation to address the underlying contributors to dysfunction. Her specialized practice includes tethered oral tissues (tongue tie), TMJD, orofacial pain, swallowing disorders, voice and resonance disorders, breathing dysfunction, craniofacial differences such as cleft lip and palate, and other conditions affecting oral function across the lifespan.

A respected leader in the field, Tiffany serves on the South Dakota Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and mentors and educates providers worldwide as part of the MyoMentor faculty. She is an active member of international organizations advancing airway and myofunctional care, including the International Consortium of Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals (ICAP) and the American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry (AAPMD). Certified as a Breathing Coach and a registered adult and children's yoga facilitator, Tiffany uniquely bridges evidence-based clinical intervention with a holistic understanding of breathing, movement, regulation, and wellness.

A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a black medical scrubs, sitting on an orange chair.

Mallory Amo
MA, CCC-SLP/L

Provider

Born and raised in Rapid City, Mallory earned her Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota. Before joining DSSC, she developed a diverse clinical foundation across schools, outpatient clinics, and early intervention settings, providing her with extensive experience supporting children and families through a wide range of communication and developmental needs.

Dedicated to individualized, family-centered care, Mallory specializes in pediatric speech and language disorders, motor speech disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), oral motor development, oral dysfunction, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), and complex pediatric case management. She enjoys helping patients develop the communication and oral function skills needed to thrive across home, school, and community environments.

Mallory takes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care, recognizing that communication and oral function are influenced by many interconnected factors. She integrates evidence-based speech-language therapy with oral motor assessment and functional intervention while considering each child's motor coordination, sensory processing, developmental profile, and individual strengths to create personalized treatment plans that support meaningful, functional progress.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Mallory is the kind of teammate every practice hopes to have—collaborative, dependable, and always willing to support those around her. Her warmth, compassion, and commitment to growth make her a valued colleague and an integral part of the DSSC team. Whether supporting a child developing language, improving speech clarity, strengthening oral function, or implementing an AAC system, Mallory partners closely with families to build confidence, foster independence, and help every patient reach their full potential.

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Molli Karen-Hardman
MS, CCC-SLP/L

Provider

Molli earned her Master’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and has developed a diverse clinical foundation across acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, private practice, and elementary school settings. This broad experience has allowed her to support individuals across the lifespan with a wide range of communication, voice, swallowing, and functional needs. Her medical speech-language pathology background includes experience working with complex populations, including individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion, dementia, neurological conditions, and dysphagia.

Molli’s clinical focus includes voice and resonance disorders, neurological voice disorders, speech sound disorders, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), oral dysfunction, and complex communication needs across the lifespan. She has experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults with conditions impacting speech clarity, vocal function, swallowing, and oral movement patterns, while tailoring treatment to each individual’s unique goals and needs.

Passionate about the relationship between anatomy, movement, and functional outcomes, Molli takes a comprehensive approach to evaluation and treatment. She integrates evidence-based speech-language therapy with specialized assessment and intervention for voice and resonance disorders, oral motor function, tethered oral tissues (tongue ties), Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs), swallowing disorders, and craniofacial differences such as cleft lip and palate. Her approach considers the many factors that influence communication and function, including vocal demands, movement patterns, oral function, and overall coordination.

By combining her medical speech-language pathology background with specialized expertise in voice, resonance, orofacial function, and swallowing, Molli helps patients develop effective communication skills, improve functional outcomes, and participate more fully in daily life. She brings humor, compassion, and openness to every session, creating a supportive environment where patients and families feel comfortable, understood, and empowered throughout their therapy journey.

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Koni Berreth
MS, CCC-SLP/L

Provider

Koni earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Minot State University and has proudly served as a medical speech-language pathologist in the Rapid City area since 2008. Through her extensive experience in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, she has developed a comprehensive clinical foundation supporting adults and older adults with communication, voice, swallowing, and functional needs.

Koni’s specialized practice focuses on helping individuals maintain and restore the essential skills that support independence, connection, and quality of life throughout the aging process. She has a particular passion for the aging voice, helping individuals experiencing changes in vocal strength, clarity, endurance, and function rediscover confidence in their communication. She also specializes in voice rehabilitation for individuals experiencing neurological voice disorders and other conditions impacting vocal function. Through specialized voice treatment approaches, Koni supports patients in maintaining a strong, functional voice that allows them to continue participating fully in their relationships, communities, and daily activities.

In addition to voice care, Koni specializes in complex swallowing disorders and advanced dysphagia management, including neurological swallowing disorders. As the only FEES-trained clinician in the region, she provides in-clinic and mobile fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES), allowing for direct visualization of swallowing function and individualized recommendations to improve safety, efficiency, and quality of life. She also utilizes neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to support individuals navigating swallowing challenges related to aging, medical conditions, and neurological changes.

Koni’s formal background in social work brings a uniquely personalized perspective to her clinical care. She considers each individual's goals, family dynamics, and life experiences when developing treatment plans, ensuring therapy is both evidence-based and meaningful. Through compassionate, individualized care, Koni helps patients preserve communication, maintain independence, and continue engaging in the activities and relationships that matter most.

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Amanda Rickett
MS, CCC-SLP/L

Provider

Originally from Kentucky, Amanda earned her Master’s degree in North Dakota, bringing a unique perspective and diverse clinical background to her practice. Her professional experience spans schools, outpatient clinics, specialized centers, and preparation for travel healthcare, allowing her to adapt quickly to a variety of clinical environments and patient needs. These experiences have strengthened her ability to provide thoughtful, individualized care while supporting children and families through a wide range of developmental challenges.

Dedicated to comprehensive, family-centered care, Amanda specializes in pediatric speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders. She has a particular passion for supporting young children and families navigating feeding challenges, helping patients develop the skills needed for safe, functional, and positive mealtime experiences.

Amanda’s clinical expertise includes pediatric feeding disorders, dysphagia (swallowing disorders), oral sensory-motor development, oral dysfunction, and Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). She continues to expand her specialized feeding knowledge, strengthening her ability to evaluate and treat complex pediatric feeding challenges through a developmental, sensory-motor, and functional lens.

Recognizing that feeding and communication skills are shaped by many interconnected factors, Amanda takes a comprehensive approach that considers oral motor skills, sensory processing, motor coordination, functional movement patterns, and each child’s unique developmental profile. She collaborates closely with families and interdisciplinary teams to identify contributing factors and create individualized treatment plans that support meaningful progress in everyday routines.

By combining evidence-based speech, language, feeding, and swallowing interventions with a warm and adaptable clinical approach, Amanda helps children build confidence, develop functional skills, and make meaningful progress toward their communication and feeding goals. Her compassionate approach helps families feel supported, empowered, and confident throughout their therapy journey.

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Shawna Rhead

Lead Patient Coordinator

As our Lead Patient Coordinator, Shawna brings an incredible blend of organizational expertise, leadership experience, and genuine compassion to our team. Her professional background supporting small, women-owned businesses has equipped her with extensive experience in leadership, staff support, and building efficient systems that help organizations thrive.

Shawna’s role extends far beyond coordination—she is a trusted advocate and welcoming guide for patients and families throughout their journey with DSSC, while also serving as a valued source of support for our team. Her ability to anticipate needs, create structure, and encourage those around her helps both our patients and providers feel supported. Her own experiences navigating healthcare and insurance systems have given her a unique understanding of the challenges families may face, allowing her to approach each interaction with empathy, patience, and thoughtful support.

Known for her warm personality, positive energy, and ability to make everyone feel welcome, Shawna plays an essential role in creating the patient experience and team culture that define DSSC. Whether she is improving clinic processes, helping families navigate their next steps, supporting staff behind the scenes, or greeting patients at the door, she ensures that everyone feels seen, valued, and cared for from their very first interaction with our team.

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Cloe McNaboe

Patient Coordinator

As a Patient Coordinator, Cloe brings a unique blend of clinical insight, warmth, and positive energy to our front-of-house team. A nurse by training, she brings a strong foundation of medical knowledge and patient-care instincts that allow her to understand the healthcare experience from both a clinical and personal perspective. This background helps her provide reassurance and support to patients and families as they begin their journey with DSSC.

Cloe is known around the clinic for her laid-back demeanor, genuine kindness, and ability to make people feel instantly comfortable. She brings a fresh, relatable energy to the front desk and creates a welcoming environment for patients of all ages. Her approachable personality helps families feel at ease while ensuring each interaction feels personal, positive, and supportive.

Combining her nursing background with her natural ability to connect with others, Cloe plays an important role in creating a positive first impression for DSSC. Whether greeting families, answering questions, or helping patients feel welcomed when they arrive, she ensures each person feels seen, supported, and cared for from their very first interaction with our team.

At DSSC, we believe in the power of a collaborative care model. Rather than operating in isolation, our clinicians function as a powerhouse think-tank, routinely consulting with one another to bring the best outcomes to your family. While individual therapists hold unique, advanced certifications and memberships, our entire team actively shares this wealth of knowledge. When you see a provider at our clinic, you aren’t just getting one therapist—you are getting the collective expertise, training, and clinical brilliance of our entire team.

Our Professional Training & Membership Network

Logo with the words 'My Ment'or' in purple and gray cursive font.
Logo of The Prompt Institute featuring a silhouette of a person's head with orange, green, and blue curved lines and the text 'The Prompt Institute' in dark blue.
Logo for Beckman Oral Motor featuring a butterfly, two hands, and the words 'Search for Knowledge,' 'Aim for Excellence,' the website URL www.beckmanoralmotor.com, and prominent red text for 'Beckman Oral Motor.'
A badge with a blue and white color scheme indicating graduation with the words "TONGUE-TIED" and "LITE COURSE GRADUATE".
A logo featuring two stylized 'M' letters in blue, enclosed in a blue circle.
Logo for Child Abraxas Treatment with a stylized silhouette of a child's face in profile with a straw-like pattern, featuring text that reads 'Child Abraxas Treatment' and 'Once Upon a Time Foundation'.
Logo for the Academy of Neurogenic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) featuring stylized ears and brain waves in pink and black.
Event announcement for the Breathe Institute's considerations in orofacial myofunctional therapy, scheduled for April 2025, featuring a blue and peach color scheme.
Text saying "SPEAK OUT!" with the phrase "Live with Intent" underneath.
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Logo of a stylized figure of a mother breastfeeding a baby inside a turquoise circle with the text 'The Lactation OT' below.
Logo of Buteyko Clinic International featuring a side profile of a person's face and shoulders in blue, with text indicating certification as a Buteyko Clinic International instructor.
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Logo of Dysphonia International with red sound wave icon and the tagline 'A community that cares about you and your voice.'
Certification badge for Tethered Oral Tissues Speciality TOTS Training, featuring a circular design with teal and pink accents, and text indicating specialization in oral tissue tethering issues.
Logo of the International Association of Orofacial Myology featuring a globe and the organization's name in blue text.
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Logo of Fast & Functional with NeuroMyofascial Technique text
Apraxia Kids logo with stylized blue and yellow figures and text
Logo for the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists, with a graphic of a brain and wavy lines, and text indicating certification as a brain injury specialist.
ICAP logo with a circular icon featuring blue, green, and black segments.
A circular badge with a red center and white border. The text reads 'Basic Life Support CPR Certified'.
Logo of the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD), featuring three blue vertical bars of increasing height and the acronym AAPMD alongside the full name.

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