I’m Sharlotte, a speech-language pathologist and mother of two.

My greatest achievement in life has been raising my two children who are now grown and finding their own paths in the world. Being their mother has taught me the most important lessons I carry into both my life and my work: every child is different, and every child deserves to be valued for who they are.

I have spent over 30 years studying and practicing as a speech-language pathologist, working with toddlers, children, and school aged students who need support learning how to communicate. Through my professional journey and through motherhood, I learned that communication does not look the same for every child, and that families often need simple, supportive tools to help their children express themselves.

As a mom, I did all the “mama bear” things: advocating, adapting, and learning alongside my children as they grew. That same love and care inspired me to create something meaningful for other families. Rafie & Rosie’s First Words Communication Book was born from that place of love. The book is named after my son, Rafe, and the lovely illustrations were created by my daughter, Hollye, who worked closely with me to bring warmth and beauty to every picture.

Together, we created a tool designed to help parents support early communication in a way that feels positive, approachable, and encouraging. My work has always been devoted to helping children, especially early and emerging communicators, find a way to share their wants, needs, and ideas. This book is my way of giving back to families and honoring the belief that communication is beautiful and that every child deserves tools that help them feel seen, heard, and understood.

Welcome to the World of First Words!