With a career defined by compassion and expertise, Kari L. Done has spent nearly four decades advancing the fields of speech pathology and audiology with a focus on improving the lives of children facing auditory processing disorders and dyslexia. As owner and director of Enrichment Alternatives in Springfield, Missouri, she has developed and led programs designed to meet the individual needs of children with auditory challenges. Her work emphasizes early intervention, and she has introduced auditory and music-based therapies that have played a vital role in supporting developmental milestones for young learners.
Ms. Done’s academic foundation was built at San José State University, where she earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts in audiology and speech language pathology. Her formal education laid the groundwork for a career that blends clinical precision with creative therapeutic approaches. These credentials, coupled with a strong commitment to lifelong learning, have enabled her to design and implement programs that address complex communication disorders with sensitivity and skill.
In addition to her leadership at Enrichment Alternatives, Ms. Done works as a speech-language pathologist at the Development Center of the Ozarks. These dual roles reflect her deep commitment to providing comprehensive, community-based support for children with special needs. Earlier in her career, she held the role of owner and president of NuPerspectives, where she expanded her leadership capabilities and deepened her influence within the field of pediatric speech therapy.
Ms. Done’s professional journey also includes pivotal roles in rehabilitation and consultation. She led initiatives as department head at A Chance to Grow, focusing on strengthening auditory processing in children through innovative strategies. Her experience working with the Denmark Auditory Processing Program at a charter school helped further establish her reputation for employing effective, research-based interventions. She has also consulted for a range of institutions, including speech and hearing clinics, hospitals, charter schools and rehabilitation agencies throughout Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
Outside of her clinical work, Ms. Done is known for her commitment to community engagement and education. She founded Families Homeschooling Children with Special Needs, a nonprofit that, although no longer active, served as a resource for families navigating alternative education paths. She supports numerous nonprofit agencies in the Springfield area and actively participates in the Pediatric Round Table for Small Business Owners, collaborating with peers on strategies for improving service delivery in pediatric health care.
Ms. Done’s forward-looking vision includes the creation of a cooperative model that invites therapists and health care professionals to share ownership and influence business operations. This approach is designed to honor the contributions of frontline providers while fostering more responsive and effective care models for children and families.
Throughout her career, Ms. Done has remained committed to listening closely to the concerns of families and providing emotional support that often falls outside the scope of traditional clinical services. Her ability to combine professional excellence with empathy has made her a trusted resource for parents, educators and health care professionals alike. Her contributions continue to shape the field of speech and auditory therapy in meaningful and lasting ways.