ABOUT US
TANIS FRIESEN, Reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist
Tanis is the founder of Active Communication Therapy. She received her degree in Speech Language Pathology from Minot State University and an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Winnipeg. She has been practicing for years in a variety of settings; including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, and private practice. Tanis has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of children with difficulties in social communication, receptive & expressive language, phonological awareness/early literacy, articulation, and selective mutism within a range of populations (i.e. Autism, Down Syndrome, A.D.H.D., Anxiety Disorder, Developmental Delay, Learning Disabilities, etc.). This includes individualized program planning, conducting individual and group therapy sessions, development and use of low-tech Augmentative Communication Systems, supervising Communicative Disorders Assistants, and providing guidance/support to the families and caregivers. Tanis has a passion for utilizing her skills to help optimize a child's communicative ability across all aspects of his/her life.
Jacqueline is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, where she completed both her Honour's Bachelor degree in Linguistics and French Studies as well as her Master of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She has experience supporting children with their speech (articulation and phonology), fluency (stuttering) and language (expressive and receptive). She has also collaborated with interdisciplinary teams of SL-Ps, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers to support preschool and school age children. She provides virtual and in-person therapy for clients using a family-centered approach. She is enthusiastic about continuing her education to be able to always provide children and their families with the best possible services.
JAQUELINE ST-HILAIRE, Reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist
Monica received her Honour’s degree in Communication Studies from University of Windsor and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Before becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in early intervention, providing speech and language treatment for the young paediatric population. She has provided speech and language treatment in a variety of outpatient clinical settings, doing both in-person and virtual assessments and treatment. She has run individual and group sessions focusing on pediatric articulation and phonology, expressive and receptive language, early literacy, and bilingual English/Spanish treatment. Professional interests include speech sound disorders, PROMPT therapy for motor speech disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and craniofacial disorders such as cleft lip/palate.
MONICA OVERTON, Reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist
YARA HARB,
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Yara graduated with a Bachelor Honors degree in Speech Pathology (Bsc.SLP) from the Lebanese University. She then specialized in early intervention for children with hearing loss and obtained her Listening and Spoken Language Specialist certification (LSLS Cert. AVT). She has over 7 years of experience working with young children with hearing loss, early intervention services, and speech and language needs in both English and Arabic. She provides CDA therapy for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Speech and language disorders and other speech and language needs. Yara values family centered approaches and partnership with parents to build their child's speech and language skills.
Melissa attended McGill University where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Linguistics in 2012 and her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2014. She has worked with early intervention completing assessment and treatment in children’s homes, preschools and at specialized playgroups. She has experience supporting children with their verbal and non-verbal language, interaction and play skills, speech (articulation), fluency (stuttering), voice, pragmatic (social), and pre-reading/ reading skills. She has a vast amount of experience supporting various populations, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Learning Disabilities and Developmental Delays. She is certified in Hanen (It Takes Two to Talk, More than Words and Target Word), Social Thinking, Reference and Regulate and Lidcombe. Melissa is rewarded in seeing so many successes through family collaboration; she listens to each families’ concerns and individualizes therapy accordingly. Melissa’s enthusiasm for the children is abundant and her passion in helping children reach their full potential is clear.
MELISSA REED, Reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist
Susan has more than 30 years experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in collaboration with their families, caregivers in Renfrew County. Susan received a BA in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario and her Communicative Disorders Assistant diploma from Georgian College in Orillia and is a registered CDAAC member. She has vast experience in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and various types of developmental delays. In addition, she has years of experience in implementing applied behavioural principles and working within a behavioural team. Susan is passionate about helping children and adults reach their communication goals through in person therapy in the Renfrew County and West Ottawa areas.
SUSAN KIRK, Reg. CDAAC
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Aodrenn graduated with a Bachelor degree in Speech Pathology (Bsc. SLP) from the graduate school of Liège (Belgium). She has over 6 years of experience working with young children with speech and language disorders, learning disorders (dyslexia), and oral-motor functioning disorders, in both French and English. She specializes in bilingualism. She provides virtual and in-person CDA therapy for children with speech and language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Down Syndrome. Aodrenn is passionate about helping children in creative and playful ways. She enjoys working alongside children and their families to improve communication skills.
AODRENN GUYODO
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Alisha received her Master of Clinical Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Western Ontario. Over the last decade, she has been working on interdisciplinary paediatric teams to provide community-based assessments and therapy, tailoring care to meet the diverse needs of children and their families. Alisha is a certified Hanen instructor and has completed enhanced training in Fluency, Motor Speech, and Auditory Verbal Skills therapy. She has worked with various populations including individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, congenital hearing loss, genetic syndromes, and medically complex needs. Family-centred neuroaffirming care is a cornerstone of her practice
ALISHA VAZ, Reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist