About the SLP

Hi, I’m Andrea “Annie” Hitchman, M.S., CCC-SLP, and I’m the owner of Surmount Speech Therapy. I earned my bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2016 and my master’s degree from the University of Central Missouri in 2022. After graduation, I completed my clinical fellowship year at Western Missouri Medical Center and was awarded the Certificate of Clinical Competence by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. I currently hold licensure through the State of Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board.

I practice in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where I specialize in treating phonological disorders—specifically dyslexia. Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the most knowledgeable dyslexia therapists. I’ve completed 30 hours of comprehensive training in the Orton-Gillingham method of literacy instruction, received one-on-one mentorship in evaluating and diagnosing dyslexia, and hold membership in the International Dyslexia Association.

I use evidence-based methods of literacy instruction to help individuals with dyslexia build confidence in reading, writing, and spelling. Currently, I offer comprehensive dyslexia diagnostic evaluations and individualized treatment sessions.

Annie currently offers comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, one-on-one treatment sessions, and consultations. 

Dyslexia/Literacy, Language, and Speech Evaluations/Treatment

• Receptive and Expressive Language
• Phonological Awareness
• Phonics Skills
• Reading
• Writing
• Spelling
• Articulation

 Family and School Consultations

• Learn how to support those with dyslexia and/or other language disorders.

 Annie uses the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education's (IMSE) Orton-Gillingham approach, which currently holds  Accreditation Plus through the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). This curriculum is an evidence-based method of literacy instruction to give those with dyslexia confidence in their reading, writing, and spelling.

 This structured literacy intervention is: 

• Systematic and cumulative - explains each small element as a part of a bigger picture. Skilled instruction follows a sequence which moves from easier to more difficult concepts.

• Explicit - each concept is explained directly and clearly. Concepts become a part of a routine with high repetition.

• Hands-on and Engaging - learning that uses a multi-sensory approach incorporating all learning pathways: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic/tactile.