MY BACKGROUND

I learned from an early age how vital communication is to the human life through my own personal experiences. With this understanding and the desire to help others, I went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Speech and Language Sciences at Brock University, and then completed a Masters of Clinical Sciences at University of Western Ontario graduating in October 2009. I am a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and am certified with Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).

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I started my career as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at our local children’s treatment center, One Kids Place, where I worked for over 10 years providing speech therapy, language, feeding and swallowing services to children and their families.  While I have experience working with a wide range of communication and language challenges, motor speech disorders and apraxia of speech continue to be an area I am particularly passionate about. I am PROMPT trained completing both Introduction to PROMPT techniques and Bridging to PROMPT and have experience working with children with motor speech difficulties. In addition, an interest in pediatric dysphagia led me to be part of the Feeding and Swallowing team at One Kids Place for over 7 years, where I developed extensive knowledge of pediatric feeding and swallowing.   

 

In my practice as an SLP, I have had the privilege of assessing and treating a wide range of children including children with down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, fluency difficulties, hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorder, rare syndromes and genetic chromosomal disorders.  I also had the experience of working collaboratively with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, pediatricians, behavioural therapists and psychologists, giving me a broader understanding and and perspective into each of these areas.  I welcome and approach each new client and the challenges they present, with eagerness and sincerity focusing on their uniqueness and how best to help each of them develop and progress.

 

Over the last three years I have provided both private and contract speech services to our local school aged rehabilitative program, in which I have assessed and treated children with frontal and lateral lisp, ‘R’ distortions and/or substitutions and other articulation and phonological difficulties.

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Currently, I am continuing to expand my knowledge of swallowing disorders in the adult population by working as an SLP casually at our local hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville.  I am enjoying the new challenge of working with the aging community, who present with such conditions as aphasia, dysphagia (swallowing disorder), and acquired language impairment related to traumatic brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

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When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family including my two girls, husband and dog. I love being outside in the wilderness, and enjoy jogging, hiking and camping. I recently discovered yoga, a new passion which helps me to stay grounded during everyday life excitements and challenges.

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–Genna Nichol, Director and Founder of Aspire Speech

Speech Language Pathologist, M.Cl.Sc. (C) Reg. CASLPO