Dr. Nicholas Hammond, PhD, BCBA-D
Dr. Nicholas Hammond is the Executive Director and Owner of Hammond Associates, Inc., where he leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing comprehensive services in Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Occupational Therapy to individuals, families, and schools across the state of Maine.
Dr. Hammond earned his PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, blending academic expertise with practical leadership to advance high-quality, evidence-based care. Since acquiring Hammond Associates in 2020, he has fostered an environment where research-driven practice and compassionate service come together to meet the diverse needs of the community.
With a strong commitment to supporting individuals of all ages, Dr. Hammond prides himself in shaping programs that empower clients and families while promoting collaboration across disciplines. His leadership reflects a dedication to innovation, excellence, and the belief that every client deserves care that aligns with their values and aspirations.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys coaching multiple soccer teams, listening to live music, and spending time with family and friends. In the winter he and his family can usually be found at Sunday River where they are avid skiers.
Sara Hunter
Business Manager
After graduating from the University of Southern Maine with a bachelor’s degree in English, Sara started her career at Hammond Associates in 2004 handling various administrative tasks including billing, credentialing, collections, and helping families and clients complete AAC device applications before stepping into the role of Business Manager in 2024. She’s passionate about giving the clinical team the tools they need to help as many people as possible. Sara’s goal is to make work a place where both business and relationships thrive, all while keeping things friendly and efficient.
When she’s not tackling business tasks, you can find her spending time with her family, reading a good book, baking up something sweet, or out on the softball field.
Daniel Frost, MS, BCBA
Director of ABA Services
Dan received his Masters in Educational Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017 from the University of Southern Maine, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) shortly after in February of 2018. Prior to becoming a BCBA, Dan spent a decade working in various roles with both adults and children as a Direct Support Professional, a Case Manager, and a Behavioral Health Professional. Dan joined the Hammond Team in 2021 and during his time at Hammond has worked with families and schools to provide compassionate and effective ABA services across a variety of settings. Dan also recently became a Certified RUBI provider and is passionate about providing RUBI parent training to families to support them to better understand their child’s behavior and learn strategies for supporting their unique needs.
When Dan isn’t supporting students in schools or the office, he is probably spending time with his two boys and wife, on a disc golf course, or fly fishing a small stream.
Julia LaChance, MA, CCC-SLP
Assistant Clinical Director of Speech Therapy and Director of AAC Services
Julia received her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from UMass Amherst in 2020 and worked at public schools throughout New England before arriving at Hammond Associates in 2023. Here, she discovered a passion for Augmentative and Alternative Communication and currently provides evaluations, consultations, and treatment for children with AAC devices across the state of Maine. Additionally, she enjoys supervising and providing clinical support to new SLPs and SLP assistants.
Outside of work, Julia can often be found outdoors hiking and kayaking, or at a bookstore browsing for her next read.
Dr. Michael Parisi, AuD, MBA, ABAC
Director of Audiology
Dr. Michael Parisi grew up in Massachusetts and began his career in healthcare technology and project management after earning his undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems and MBA in Healthcare Management. Over time, and inspired by his own hearing loss, he felt called to audiology as a way to make a more personal impact.
He earned his Doctorate in Audiology at Pacific University in Oregon, completing his clinical externship at the Portland, Oregon VA Medical Center. Prior to that he trained in both educational and private practice settings. His experience spans care for both children and adults, including hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, cochlear implants, and bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHA).
Now back in New England, Dr. Parisi provides diagnostic audiology for children as young as 6 months, hearing aid services for all ages, and is expanding access to advanced hearing technologies in the Portland area. He is licensed in Maine, American Board of Audiology certified (ABAC), and an active member of the Academy of Audiology.
When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll likely find him hiking with his wife and dogs, paddleboarding, or playing flag football.
Katie Schneck, MA, CCC-SLP
Director of Speech Therapy
Katie has been part of the Hammond Associates family since the very beginning of her career. After earning her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maine in 2013, she joined the team, and has now been with the practice for 12 years. This year, Katie was excited to step into the role of Clinical Director for Speech-Language Pathology, where she gets to support both clients and clinicians.
Katie primarily enjoys working with the pediatric population, with a special focus on building receptive and expressive language skills that lead to communication with confidence.
When Katie is not at work, you can probably find her at Disney World or somewhere playing pickleball!
Emily Wasina, MS, OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy Services