Christine Mayercik helps Dan Teresi learn to use a computerized speech-output device.The phone rings, you answer and say “Hello…”

You pull up to the drive-thru window of your favorite fast food restaurant and place your order….

You have guests over for dinner, and everyone sits around telling jokes and lamenting the price of gas….

You might think that none of this is unusual, except of course, if you have a speech impediment. Then expressing your wants, desires and needs can become difficult and frustrating.

Christine Mayercik, a senior speech-language pathologist at Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack, can relate.