About

About Nadine

Nadine Portera earned her Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and her Master of Science in Communication Disorders for Speech-Language Pathology from Eastern Illinois University. 

While at Eastern Illinois University, she gained valuable experience as a student clinician working in; an outpatient clinic (Carle Clinic), a school for children with hearing loss, EIU’s private clinic with children with feeding disorders, autism, fluency disorders, and adults with aphasia.  As part of her training, she completed two separate 14-week long internships at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) working with adults, and at a public school in Orland Park (Jerling Junior High).

After graduation, she began working in an acute long term facility in Arlington Heights. Nadine’s passion for working with adults led her back to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in which she gained vast experience for more than 3 1/2 years treating adults with aphasia, traumatic brain injuries, cancer, dysphagia, various neurological disorders, and dysarthria to name a few. Nadine further enhanced her knowledge by taking part in working in the technology department with other speech-language pathologists in order to  better understand and utilize Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), as well as volunteered to assist with the weekly aphasia group.  

Nadine currently works with adults as a private home health care speech therapist in charge of her own practice. She enjoys utilizing everything she has learned from her past experiences as well as keeping current with new research. Nadine is ASHA certified and holds a Clinical Certificate of Competency (CCC-SLP). She continues to maintain best practices by completing professional continuing education courses, reviewing up to date research, and collaborating with other professionals within her industry.