About Us
Nicole Auffhammer M.S., CCC-SLP
Foothills Therapy Services (FTS)
Located in the foothills of Oconee County, SC, FTS offers services for children and adults in the convenience of their own homes. Owner and director, Nicole Auffhammer is a certified and licensed Speech Language Pathologist with10 years experience and has served in a variety of settings (private pediatric, adult rehab, skilled nursing facility, and in the schools). Nicole has experience in multiple disorders (ie. Down Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Strokes, Dementia, etc.). Nicole earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology at West Virginia University and her Masters of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology at University of South Carolina.
Started in August of 2023, the goal of FTS is to provide functional communication with evidenced based practice speech language therapy. FTS focuses on Abilities and the Whole person rather than a Disability.
Nicole's experience includes the following:
Utilizing evidenced based practice to create goals and provide treatment
Providing screenings and evaluations
Providing therapy for children with complex communication needs (AAC devices: NOVA chat and Wego)
Collaborating with other professionals and caregivers when making decisions for clients
Specializing in early learning language and individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder.
​The Future
Nicole has a vision for clients to be able to come to a place that is a One Stop Location. At this location, a client will be able to receive speech language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, aqua therapy, and hippotherapy (therapy with horses). Nicole plans on serving clients in their home for at least a couple of years. In the meantime, she will be looking for a property in Oconee County that will allow her practice to grow into a multidisciplinary approach.
*****Disclaimer*****
Nicole works in the Oconee County School District and serves children. According to Nicole's professional organization (ASHA: American Speech Hearing Association), She is disclosing the answer to an important moral, ethical, professional following question:
Can an SLP employed in a school setting provide private services to students on their caseload?
According to ASHA's Issues in Ethics statement, Obtaining Clients for Private Practice from Primary Place of Employment, it is possible for practitioners to accept cases for their private practice from the primary place of employment if the following guidelines are observed:
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The persons served professionally must be (a) fully informed of services available from the practitioner's primary employment setting as well as those from the private practice or other practice environment and (b) given freedom to choose whether and from whom they will obtain professional services.
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The costs associated with obtaining services from the practitioner's primary employment setting versus those associated with the private practice must be made clear.
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Practitioners accepting cases in a private setting from their primary place of employment must inform the administrator at their primary employment setting of their intent.
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Practitioners must honor any non-compete contractual agreements stipulated by the employer.