https://www.throughspeech.com/resources daily 0.75 2021-02-10 https://www.throughspeech.com/contact-me daily 0.75 2021-04-14 https://www.throughspeech.com/home-page daily 1.0 2022-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1618540951973-I5QCKZ2MBS120WLS6MT9/IMG_1519.png Home Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1606976809328-U5XAQOU1WB2JU25ZJUY7/IMG_1090.png Home Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613929679253-EZFZSYHKTS4IOJ7ZWVOJ/IMG_1404.png Home Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1606978271740-R8NWED6ADRYLDUFQT0ML/IMG_1096.png Home Page https://www.throughspeech.com/locations-served daily 0.75 2022-08-30 https://www.throughspeech.com/social-communicationn daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613324417328-9BOXE0MOM8OV7V18I542/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-02-14%2Bat%2B9.38.09%2BAM.jpg Social communicationn - Social Communication Social communication is the use of verbal, nonverbal, and written language in social contexts. People seem to know the rules, but there are no written rules. How very confusing. In order to establish and maintain relationships with others, social communication skills are crucial. Examples of social communication skills: Reading body language and facial expressions. Recognizing changes in prosody that have behavioural implications. Taking the perspective of a communication partner and modifying your language and body language accordingly. Demonstrating altruism. Telling stories in the correct order. Adequate conversational skills that not only include providing information about yourself but also asking your communication partner about themselves. Topic maintenance. Turn taking in conversation. Why do these skills matter in the context of relationships? Reading body language and facial expressions allows us to make predictions of how our communication partner is feeling or what they’re thinking about. Recognizing changes in prosody can allow us to understand whether the communication partner is happy, sad, mad, bored, etc. And provides information on what to do next. It’s important to tell our communication partners about ourselves but it is also important to ask them about themselves. This demonstrates that you are interested in them and their life, not just your own. Topic maintenance is important so that the communication partner can follow along and participate. Remaining on topic allows for conversations to flow easier and can lead to getting to know our communication partner deeper. https://www.throughspeech.com/navigating-dating-apps daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613326070024-OFVVHVF6ELHBTAJM3QEX/tinnder.jpg navigating dating apps - Navigating Dating Apps Dating apps can be so wonderful to connect with people in your area who you perhaps wouldn’t have met otherwise. That being said, half the battle can come when it’s time to meet up with this person in real life (IRL, if you will). For some people, communicating with others online is much easier than communication face-to-face. Others face the opposite challenge. Whether you’re having a hard time transitioning from online communication to IRL communication or you’re finding it’s hard to even form a connection with someone online in the first place, we got you. We will use communication strategies to ensure that you’re not only confident and comfortable communicating with individuals you swipe right on, but also when you meet up with this person IRL. https://www.throughspeech.com/intimate-aac daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613324604998-75TS706SOZ2QEQKHNZ8W/AAC.jpg AAC and relationships - Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) Your current AAC device works. It allows you to get your needs and wants met. It has a lot of different functions. It doesn’t, however, allow for intimate or romantic conversations with your partner. It doesn’t include dating preferences, flirty comments, or intimate language. Alternatively, you don’t have an AAC device yet and would like assistance in finding one that will work best. We can help. If an AAC device is used, it must include the option to make comments, negate, ask questions, etc., in an intimate setting. It is important that we are able to tell our partners what feels good, what doesn’t, ask them what they want, and what makes them feel good. We will work together to ensure that the device is set up appropriately to include a variety of different options no matter the situation (romantic, platonic, intimate, etc). Any AAC device is appropriate for this type of therapy, however, below are some examples of AAC devices. Roloquo2Go Tobii Dynavox Core Boards Communication Boards PODD TouchChat https://www.throughspeech.com/communication-breakdown daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613323245297-9AWOZ4R24HK0QZKKORUS/comm%2Bbreakddown%2B.jpg communication breakdown - communication breakdowns Communication breakdowns occur as a result of our communication partner incorrectly perceiving our message. Communication breakdowns occur all the time but can cause tension or frustration and can therefore negatively impact our relationships. In order to minimize the amount of communication breakdowns we have, we need to use particular speech strategies. Communication breakdowns can occur between romantic partners, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, etc. When we gain skills in recognizing when they occur and how to repair them, we can save ourselves a lot of trouble or sad feelings. Here‘s an example: Person 1: Why didn’t you call me when I asked you to? Person 2: I thought you said you were going to call me? Although these types of breakdowns occur often, we can gain skills in better managing them. If you or someone you know are experiencing these types of communication breakdowns, let us know and we can help. https://www.throughspeech.com/selfreflection daily 0.75 2021-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613878905143-16ZWWLK7R7KH3MRI8D4H/IMG_1400.png selfreflection - Self Reflection Thinking about thoughts Why is it important? Successful communication is best achieved when all parties are (mostly) thinking about the same topic and using this topic as a way to stay actively involved in the conversation. This can help us Relate to the communication partner Feel a sense of connection Make predictions on what to do next in the conversation. Further develop an understanding of the communication partner Get needs and wants met Therapy addresses challenges such as Staying on topic/appearing disengaged Maintaining or controlling eye contact Monitoring how others are feeling Predicting what others may be thinking Physical proximity (standing too close or too far) Becoming disinterested in topics you personally do not enjoy to discuss https://www.throughspeech.com/verbal-communication daily 0.75 2021-02-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613324960235-UDHFYN1K4GOCTXCUMDE0/mouth.jpg verbal communication - verbal communication “A language disorder is an impairment in comprehension and/or use of a spoken, written, and/or other communication symbol system (e.g., American Sign Language). The disorder may involve the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), the content of language (semantics), and/or the function of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination.” - Language In Brief. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2021, from https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/spoken-language-disorders/language-in-brief/ Expanding our current verbal language skills to facilitate relationship establishment and maintenance, communicating our intimate needs and wants, and using language to improve our connection with others. Therapy will involve assessing the current verbal communication skills and specifically targeting areas of potential growth. The following can be directly targeted: Language impairments from traumatic brain injury or stroke Word finding challenges English Language Learners (ELL) Limited vocabulary More general challenges with the use of language (expressive language) General challenges with the understanding of language (receptive language) https://www.throughspeech.com/gallery-3 daily 0.75 2021-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1615394931168-PMQOV7BBEAZVRCS94NNH/IMG_1429.png Strategies for Better Communication - Theory of Mind Those around us do not know what we’re thinking unless we tell them. Assuming otherwise happens to the best of us. “Couldn’t they just tell what I wanted from my tone of voice? From my body language? From my facial expression? I’m feeling angry that they didn’t understand how I felt. I’m annoyed that I have to explain myself. I feel frustrated that I’m not getting what I want” Not only do some people have a difficult time communicating their wants and needs, but some people demonstrate difficulties recognizing that others have unique thoughts that are different from their own (Theory of Mind). This can adversely impact relationships of all kinds; working towards understanding Theory of Mind can significantly help us get our needs and wants met without the above listed feelings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613002501672-GV4LB294JIDYJDYSDPZN/IMG_1362.png Strategies for Better Communication - Using Subtle Visuals It is common thought that visuals are only used for children.I personally use visuals all the time and I am not a child nor do I have children. Think of all the times you use or rely on visuals throughout your day. For example, leaving a post-it note with a reminder, signs posted within an office that direct newcomers, or a symbol that tells you where to grab a taxi. For those on the autism spectrum, you’ve likely seen a million different visual schedules. In order to get our needs and wants met without feeling as though we’re nagging, constantly reminding, or feeling misunderstood or inadequate, visuals can be incredibly helpful. But how? Well, let’s say that your partner can appear blind to your subtle cues and that you’re tired of asking for what you want. We all know that it doesn’t feel great to repeatedly ask for something that you’re not getting enough of or that you feel is completely lacking. This is a great time to incorporate a visual and they don’t have to be ‘obvious’. Ways in which visuals can be used with your partner(s). Decide on a visual that depicts physical touch. For example, small circle stickers (or whatever you want to use). These stickers can be placed in a few spots to provide a visual reminder to your partner that touch is important to you and that it feels good to be touched by your partner. The touch doesn’t have to be sexual in nature and it allows your partner to take initiative instead of you having to ask for it. Decide on a visual that depicts a compliment. For example, the use of a particular mug, necklace, hat, whatever. When one of the members of the relationship is feeling a lack of attraction from their partner, they can place the object in a mutual space. This will act as a visual reminder to the member(s) of the relationship that a compliment or verbal praise would be greatly appreciated. **Please note that the use of visuals must include the option to decline physical touch/sexual intimacy, etc. **This is just one strategy and definitely does not take away from the importance of using our words to get our needs and wants met. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613001588881-V05GHNYRRFZ3UJWK7FGT/IMG_1355.png Strategies for Better Communication - The “Communication Station Check in” Set time aside every week (or longer, if you fancy) to “check in” with your partner(s). It doesn’t need to be long, but it does need to be scheduled. Why? Consider this an opportunity to openly discuss what you may feel is lacking in your relationship. It provides space to bring up potentially tough topics without worrying about how to when to do this. By scheduling these chats, it allows us time to reflect on the previous week(s). It keeps us accountable to our actions and to the relationship It doesn’t catch us at an inopportune time to discuss these topics It can ultimately lead to all participants getting their needs and wants met. This is especially important for those individuals who have difficulties with communicating their wants and needs at baseline. https://www.throughspeech.com/book daily 0.75 2022-06-03 https://www.throughspeech.com/developmental-speech-and-language daily 0.75 2021-03-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1613929679253-EZFZSYHKTS4IOJ7ZWVOJ/IMG_1404.png Developmental Speech and Language - Developmental Speech and Language Services Supporting children who have delays in speech sounds, language, or both. What is the difference between speech sounds and language? Speech sounds involve how the child pronounces any given sound. Some speech sounds are expected to develop earlier in life, such as the “m” or “b” sound, where some are expected to develop later, such as the “r” or “th” sound. Language involves how a child puts words together to form phrases (expressive language) or how a child understands what is being said to them (receptive language). What can a speech sound and/or language delay look like? The child is not yet using any words. The child uses words that are very vague, such as “thing” or “that”. Parents or family/friends have a difficult time understanding what the child is trying to say. The child is becoming frustrated that they are not being understood. The child is using fewer words when compared to their age-matched peers. The child is demonstrating difficulties in forming friendships. Challenges in one or both of these areas can be addressed through direct therapy with a speech language pathologist. Addressing developmental speech and/or language concerns is important for children to be able to form meaningful relationships with others which is very important to Through Speech. Play-based therapy is offered either in the home, school, or virtually. What is unique about speech and/or language therapy at Through Speech is that consent is obtained and actively addressed throughout all therapy sessions. Teaching consent even at a young age is incredibly important and valuable in the context of developing healthy relationships with family, friends, or peers, and eventually romantic relationships. Parent coaching is also available for those who wish to provide guided speech and/or language therapy to their children. https://www.throughspeech.com/about-me daily 0.75 2021-05-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f9ece5e0ec6e0255a1f3ea6/1618423549050-BRXUPQIBWT4KPIUH4E6J/Capture.jpg About Me - Charlotte Greville, M.Sc, R.SLP(C) Registered Speech-Language Pathologist Hi there! I’m Charlotte. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics at the University of Victoria in 2014. I then moved to Edmonton, Alberta, to complete a Master’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Alberta. I am registered with Speech-Audiology Canada and the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia. Prior to becoming a speech-language pathologist I worked as a behavioural interventionist with individuals on the autism spectrum. This job focused on helping those communicate (spoken or otherwise) their basic needs and wants such as meal and entertainment requests as well as basic social skills such as greetings. Once in graduate school, I continued to work with those on the autism spectrum as well as young adults with brain injuries and older adults with acquired communication impairments including stroke. Following these experiences, I noticed a huge gap in communication treatment plans; once the client was able to communicate their “basic needs and wants”, these individuals would no longer receive speech and language therapy. According to this current model, intimate conversations, connecting with partners, building new relationships, making friends, or anything surrounding sexuality and intimacy are not considered “basic needs and/or wants“. This is where Through Speech stemmed from. I am passionate about inclusivity and I strongly believe that everyone who desires a partner deserves to find and maintain healthy relationships. In addition, I have a passion for developmental speech and language. Helping young children and their families grow, develop, and communicate is incredibly rewarding. I have a particular interest in social communication, articulation, and expressive/receptive language development. Speech and language treatment is provided through play and is always functional. I look forward to working with you! https://www.throughspeech.com/continuing-education daily 0.75 2022-03-10 https://www.throughspeech.com/reviews-1 daily 0.75 2021-05-20