Meet Your Speech Therapist

Karen Astin Schroeder, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with over fifteen years of experience supporting schools, students, and families across diverse educational settings. She earned her Master of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia, and her Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Licensed since 2008, Karen has served exclusively as a contract therapist throughout her career, partnering with public, private, and charter schools to provide high-quality, compliant services. She has extensive experience delivering therapy both onsite and virtually, having transitioned to telepractice early—supporting schools through virtual evaluations, treatment, and supervision since the 2013–2014 school year.

In 2013, Karen founded AstiNova, LLC, a therapist-owned practice that has grown into AstiNova Therapy Partners, expanding her work into school staffing and district contracting to offer specialized support for speech, occupational, and related services. Through AstiNova, she has built a reputation for reliability, flexibility, and a deep understanding of the challenges schools face in maintaining compliance, managing caseloads, and delivering consistent student support. Karen partners directly with administrators and special education directors to create sustainable coverage plans, supervise SLPAs and CFs, and ensure programs remain on track—even in times of staffing shortages.

Karen is ASHA Certified (CCC-SLP) and holds licenses to practice in Massachusetts, California, and South Carolina. She is also PESL-Certified (Pronouncing English as a Second Language), providing advanced expertise in accent modification and speech clarity for diverse speakers.

Committed to ongoing professional growth, Karen is currently completing advanced certifications to further strengthen her expertise in supporting neurodiverse learners, including:

• Certificate in Progress: ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)

• Certificate in Progress: Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS)

• Certificate in Progress: Neurological Approaches for Self-Regulation

Known for her calm leadership and practical problem-solving, Karen brings both clinical excellence and operational insight to her partnerships—helping districts streamline services, reduce stress, and empower every learner to succeed.