Elif Hajaluga is one of the warmest, kindest speech-language and feeding therapists at All 4 Therapy LLC in Haskell, New Jersey.
To learn more about Elif's speech and feeding therapy specialties, check out her bio page.
But in the meantime, you can get to know Elif better with these fun interview questions! And if you have a question of your own, be sure to post it in our comments section!
Tell us what triggered your “ah-ha” moment that made you want to become a therapist.
I always knew I wanted to work with kids, but I didn't necessarily want to work with them in large groups - like a teacher usually does. I also knew I wanted to be in a field that can make a real impact on people's lives. And so becoming a speech therapist was perfect for me.
I love forming meaningful, one-on-one connections with each client and helping them thrive.
What life experiences do you bring to your therapy sessions?
I'm not originally from America - though I have no accent unless you count northern New Jersey! My family lived in Macedonia.
When I was four, my father got an opportunity to come to America on a work visa to work at a machine shop. He didn't speak much English at all, but in a very short time, my dad alone replaced three of the shop owner's employees with his hard work.
At the end of the visa, it was time for my dad to go home - unless someone would sponsor him so his family (me, my mom, and siblings) could come to the US. It's not an easy thing to do. It requires a lot of time and effort to sponsor someone.
On my dad's last day of work, he got home and realized his boss had overpaid him $50. So my dad went back to the shop the next day to tell his boss he'd made a mistake.
"I didn't make a mistake," his boss said. "No one has ever brought back the $50 before." He then proceeded to tell my dad to pack up his family and bring them to the US. He would sponsor my dad - and us.
I love this story because I admire my dad so much for what he was willing to risk for his family, and for his hard work, determination, and incredible ethic.
The rest, as they say, is history. My dad has been an employee of that shop for 31 years, and I'm here living my dream of opening my own speech therapy office - leaning on the same work ethic and honesty that my dad embodies. It's a dream.
What challenges do you love most about being a therapist?
Every child that I work with has his/her own challenges, so even though I'm very experienced, I also am in a field that pushes me to learn - to never stop learning. I love that. Although I'm always taking classes and improving my formal training, I'd say that my little clients are my best teachers. :-)
Can you tell us a story about a time you felt really good about the work you do helping others?
One family came to me with a child who had very limited food tolerance. It really made their lives very difficult on many levels.
I worked with them for quite some time, helping the child learn to enjoy foods and helping the child's parents understand the strategies to use at home.
It was an incredible moment for me when the family came back from a vacation looking rested and happy -- partially because they not longer had to pack every single bite of food the child would eat while they were away. The child was happier, the parents were happier, and I am still so happy for them!
What do you do with your time when you’re not in a speech therapy session?
When I'm not working I love spending time with my two sons and my husband. We're lucky to live where we do - in this corner of New Jersey, near Passaic, Bergen, and Morris County. There's so much to do in this area - whether you want to go into New York City to see a play or head west for apple picking. We love it here!
Elif Hajaluga's Fun Faves
Favorite ice cream flavor: pistachio
Favorite show when you were a kid: Full House
Favorite children’s book: The Giving Tree
Favorite vacation spot: Aruba
Favorite color: teal
Favorite way to relax: watch mindless shows
Share a fun fact: I speak another language, I have one LESS bone in my foot, I drive a manual car, I can burp on command, I love to host gatherings
Contact All 4 Therapy LLC to inquire about scheduling an introductory conversation with Elif Hajaluga!
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