Dr. Preeja Balan
BANGALORE
Summary
Accomplished Director of Therapy Services, with expertise in speech-language assessment and intervention planning. Expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems. Proven track record in team building and collaboration, driving impactful training programs that enhance clinical service delivery.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder-Director
Octave Speech Centre (Formerly Octave Hearing and Speech Centre
Bengaluru
10.2011 - Current
- Managing and overseeing the clinical aspects of speech-language pathology services.
- Collaborating with other allied professionals to strategize interventions.
- Conducting research.
- Conducting training for SLPs, mainstream school authorities, special educators, and other professionals.
Member of Advisory Board
The ComDEALL Trust
Bengaluru
11.2025 - Current
Director-Therapy Services
Kinderland Preschool, A unit of Sankar Educational Trust
Bengaluru
04.2020 - Current
- Identifying children who need support, and conducting assessment and intervention.
- Supporting classroom teachers in accommodating and adapting the curriculum.
- Conducting individual and group intervention programs focusing on socio-communication goals, including play.
Research Associate
Azim Premji University
Bengaluru
05.2025 - 11.2025
- Analysis, report writing, and outcomes based on the study.
- Conducted literature reviews to support ongoing research projects.
- Assisted in designing and implementing research methodologies and protocols.
- Collaborated with faculty on data collection and analysis for academic publications.
Consulting Editor
TISS Journal of Disability Studies
Mumbai
06.2021 - Current
Education
Ph.D. - Speech -Language Pathology
All India Institute of Speech And Hearing
03-2010
Masters in Speech Language Pathology -
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of HH
Mumbai02-1999
Skills
- Speech-language assessment
- Intervention planning and collaboration
- Expertise in working with nonspeaking individuals
- Augmentative and alternative communication for literacy
- Training facilitation and leadership
Achievements and Honor
- Certified Master Trainer - The ComDEALL Trust (an early intervention program)
- Completed the course on 'Valued Lives: Social Role Valorization 5.0' - an invitational course conducted by Keystone Institute India
Accomplishments
Co-authored article: "Finding the 'U' in Autism" (April 2023), which was awarded the "Top Parental Advice Writers" for the year 2023.
Affiliations
Contributed to developing the Parent’s Guide for implementing AAC, which is hosted on the website www.avaz.in under ‘How to Start Using Avaz.’
Past Positions
- Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist - FAME India, Bengaluru
- Speech Language Pathologist at Spastic Society of Karnataka
- Faculty at Dr. SRCISH, Lingarajpuram, Bangalore
- Speech-language pathologist at Vidyasagar, formerly known as the Spastic Society of India, Chennai
- Guest Faculty for various courses listed under RCI for KPMARC, SSK and IRC
Timeline
Member of Advisory Board
The ComDEALL Trust
11.2025 - Current
Research Associate
Azim Premji University
05.2025 - 11.2025
Consulting Editor
TISS Journal of Disability Studies
06.2021 - Current
Director-Therapy Services
Kinderland Preschool, A unit of Sankar Educational Trust
04.2020 - Current
Founder-Director
Octave Speech Centre (Formerly Octave Hearing and Speech Centre
10.2011 - Current
Ph.D. - Speech -Language Pathology
All India Institute of Speech And Hearing
Masters in Speech Language Pathology -
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of HH