Kai Pretto

About me

Hi! I’m Kai. In my prior work in the schools, I became disillusioned with the lack of support that many neurodivergent children received in the classroom, which became one of the primary catalysts in my desire to become a speech therapist. I believe communication is a fundamental human right and essential to meaningful participation in the world. I also believe that communication does not look just one way, and therapy should honor each person’s unique strengths, preferences, and perspectives. Additionally, as someone who grew up in a rural, low-income community, I am passionate about expanding access to affirming, high-quality speech therapy so that individuals and families can receive support regardless of location or socioeconomic status. I have field-specific certification emphasizing Bilingualism & Multiculturalism that I completed concurrently with my graduate school studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Also, while in grad school, I completed a mentorship with voice SLP, Wynde Vastine, focused on Gender-Affirming Voice. My greatest passion is in supporting neurodivergent communicators of all ages, especially those who use alternative communication modalities; I have given multiple presentations in my district on Gestalt Language Processing and AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication), and will be presenting on Echolalia with the Association for Autism & Neurodiversity (AANE) in May 2026. My clinical experience spans diverse settings, including public schools, outpatient rehabilitation, hospital (ICU), and private practice. I approach therapy with a client-centered and highly individualized style. I incorporate sensory-informed practices to support meaningful carryover, and I prioritize strengths-based strategies and client empowerment to help each person build confidence, independence, and lifelong self-advocacy skills.