Why “Connections Speech Therapy”?

Reason #1: We communicate to connect.

We all communicate to connect with others. It’s well established that connection with others is critical to well-being. Research has shown that people who don’t feel connected to others are at greater risk of health concerns. Connection is vital to health - mental and physical!

“Loneliness correlates with subsequent increases in symptoms related to dementia, depression, and many other issues related to mental health” -Hawkley, L.C., & Cacioppo, J.T. (2010)

“Health consequences of lack of connection with others include increased risk for cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety as well as shorter lifespan” -Dr. Vivek Murthy

So, what if we can’t communicate?

This is especially relevant for people with communication challenges because people communicate to connect! Research has shown that people with communication challenges have less participation in social activities and social interaction and in some communication disabilities, such as stroke, have been found to have more depression.

Before you panic, it's important to note here, that communication occurs in many ways! Communication occurs through both non-verbal (e.g. gesture, facial expression) and verbal means. Regardless how big or small the communication need, my mission in Connections Speech Therapy is to help you or your loved one communicate in the best possible way they can, in order to connect at home, school, work and in life to lead successful, happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. I’ll help you or your loved one communicate to connect, and have fun while doing it.

Reason #2: Learning requires building neural connections.

“For a new skill to be “learned” (both acquired and maintained), there must be persistent changes in the brain’s neural circuitry that represent this new learning. More specifically, our environments and activities directly affect our learning and thereby shape our brains.” –Megan Hodge, PhD.

So what does that mean? Speech language therapy that includes LOTS of repeated practice works! It changes brain function and therefore skills are learned and maintained.

I used to be a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta’s (U of A) Speech Language Pathology program, where I had both teaching and student supervision responsibilities at the in-house clinic, and I’m proud to have been nominated for a teaching award! We often treated people who had brain injuries and strokes many years prior. What I noticed was this:

“No speech language improvement 1 year after brain injury or stroke”, was just not true!

It was hugely exciting to see that with therapy intensity, determination and hard work people could improve their communication and life well beyond the 1 year that they were told about when they first had their brain injury or stroke! I also saw that with extra speech therapy in addition to what was offered through school and health care, children could improve faster and in turn enhance their confidence and social skills. I really got to know our clients because they came back year after year. I listened to them, and found out what they wanted and needed. I had freedom to develop innovative groups and programs based on that information, combined with research-backed methods. I loved teaching what I knew worked. I loved working at the university with state of the art research at my fingertips, and endless opportunities to put that learning to use through focused, hard work alongside our clients. I was inspired daily by our clients, enthusiastic students, and professors. The creativity was flowing, clients had many opportunities for specific repeated practice, and clients’ success was boundless.

In developing Connections Speech Therapy, I am providing people with more options for continued therapy once therapy ends or during therapy breaks at school or in the health region, as well as creative options for speech language therapy. I have seen that focused, intensive, and fun therapy works, regardless of where people with communication challenges are in their rehabilitation or learning process.

Most of my career has been spent learning about the brain, and what I’ve learned is that no matter what our brain structure is like, or where we are at in terms of age, our brains are capable of change, and hence, learning. This is “neuroplasticity”. We can build connections among neurons, the main type of brain cells, every day through repetitive tasks that we do. Basically, our brains our capable of learning new things through lots and lots of repetition.

I developed Connections Speech Therapy to make a difference, to you. I know you can make progress with your communication well beyond 1 year after brain injury, and I know progress can be quicker with increased intensity (more repeated practice) for everyone with communication challenges.

My goal is to provide therapy that is intensive enough to make lasting brain change, and through that, reach your biggest communication goals and dreams. And that is how and why Connections Speech Therapy was born.

I’m here to help you stir up your passions, reach your potential, and have fun with communication again. I want that to my core. Connection, after all, is pretty important, and communication is the way to get there.