Your voice is one of the most important tools you carry with you every day. How you speak, your tone, clarity, and pacing, directly affects how your voice is perceived. In this article, we’ll focus on what makes a voice sound professional, clear, confident, and credible.
Your Voice Matters: Developing a Clear, Confident, and Professional Sound Read Post »
Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder is defined by difficulties with the pragmatic use of language. This means how context influences the meaning of what is being said, going beyond just listening to the words but taking in the whole picture to understand the intended message.
Social-Pragmatic Communication Disorder Read Post »
Small talk is something that many people do not always feel comfortable with. Some may feel they do not know what to say or how to carry the conversation because it feels awkward. Others may feel the conversation is pointless and forced and do not try to put much effort into it. Even though it may feel this way sometimes, whether the conversation feels important or not, it is a window to building relationships and potentially even starting longer conversations.
How To Successfully Have Small Talk Read Post »
Often I have clients telling me they feel like they have a lump in their throat or they are out of breath when speaking, and this is most often the cause of tension due to anxiety. But the good news is these voice symptoms that appear can be managed with the proper tools and techniques.
The Effect That Anxiety Can Have On The Voice Read Post »
Modifying your accent and achieving noticeable results is absolutely possible. While it may feel like a lengthy process, with motivation and consistent practice, meaningful changes can be made. If you’re looking to improve your accent to boost confidence or increase clarity, speech therapy can provide the tools and guidance to help you reach your goals.
How Long Does It Take To Modify An Accent? Read Post »
When we use non-verbal communication, we can share additional information without having to describe things using words. Without non-verbal communication we would have difficulties fully expressing ourselves and understanding each other. Let’s explore non-verbal communication on a deeper level to better understand the importance of it when we are communicating.
Non-Verbal Communication Read Post »
Practice outside of sessions is an essential component when receiving speech therapy. This practice helps with maintenance of skills learned during the session, as well as to progress and see improvements before your next therapy session.
Importance of Homework Practice in Speech Therapy (Yes, for Adults too) Read Post »
A lisp is a speech impediment that typically affects the production of the /s/ and /z/ sounds. People who have a lisp do not have clear production of the /s/ and /z/ sounds where the sounds are often described as ‘slushy’ sounding. The individuals who have a lisp will have difficulties with moving their tongue or airflow correctly to produce a clear sound.
Breathing is the fundamental part of life as it allows us to live. Not only is it essential to survive but it ialso plays a fundamental role in speech production. Breathing while speaking is so important as it is the basis for using our voice.
The Link Between Breathing and Speech Read Post »
In his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey writes “Most people do not listen with the intent to
Active Listening: The Window To Effective Communication Read Post »
Sometimes when communicating with others whether the situation is stressful or not, we should always be mindful if there is any tension in our bodies. Tension can lead us to speak more quickly, more quietly, or take away from speaking clearly. When the body becomes tense, this can take away power to our voice as some of the muscles for speech will not be working efficiently to produce voice.
Reducing Physical Tension Read Post »
Recently aphasia has been brought into the limelight since Bruce Willis’s diagnosis with aphasia. Thousands of people are diagnosed every year with aphasia, though now more people are researching and learning about this disorder. So, what actually is Aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder that some people develop due to stroke, brain injury, brain tumor and sometimes dementia.
Spotlight: Aphasia Read Post »
Many may experience difficulties with maintaining attention when they are communicating with others or trying to complete daily tasks. No matter what the cause is or what sort of difficulties one may be experiencing with attention, it can lead to many day-to-day problems that affect the overall functioning of the person. These difficulties can impact the person’s personal and professional life.
Inattention When Communicating Read Post »
Many professionals come into the clinic wanting to work on professional communication. Some of the biggest challenges many clients face are presentations. Whether its nerves, getting a new role, or just general presentation skills. This is something that can be improved through time and practice.
Best And Worst Presentations Read Post »
Living an assertive lifestyle can help us to become truer to ourselves, in other words more ‘authentic’ and happier. People strive to live an ‘authentic life’ one where their actions and words match their core beliefs and values.
Living An Authentic (Assertive) Lifestyle Read Post »
Many people feel that they are able to complete their presentation well, but when it comes down to answering questions sometimes they blank or become less fluent. Many clients describe this as being caught off guard, or not be able to prep for questions, resulting in them becoming more nervous and less fluent in their speech.
Answering Questions Read Post »
Have you ever experienced difficulties saying ‘no’ to others? Why do you think that happens? Sometimes it may be that we feel bad hurting other’s feelings, or we form elaborate stories in our mind that may potentially play out when we say ‘no’.
Having More Confidence Saying ‘NO’ Read Post »
One of the most important things when it comes to being assertive is thinking assertively. If we want to be assertive communicators but are not thinking assertively, then it will be very difficult to reach our goal.
Our Assertive Rights Read Post »
Sometimes I have clients come to me and start talking about how they are having a difficult time staying focused when in conversations, or when becoming emotional, having a difficult time self-regulating and controlling their own emotions.
Having Problems With Executive Functions? Read Post »
Since the pandemic started in 2020 masks were made mandatory in June/July last year. Masks are required to be worn in all enclosed public spaces, public transportation and many workplaces. Since then we all know the struggles of wearing a mask and trying to communicate.
Are Masks Affecting Your Voice? Read Post »
When giving feedback we maybe often worry about hurting the others feelings or not clearly giving the feedback they had hoped for do too language that is too flowery and not to the point.
Difficulties Giving Feedback? Read Post »
Are you sometimes talking and all of a sudden you blank because the word you are trying to use just isn’t coming to mind? Well, this is something we call word finding or word retrieval. Having difficulties finding words is something that happens to everyone at some point or another.
Can’t Remember Your Words? Read Post »
Muscle tension dysphonia can occur in both men and women and is usually caused by abuse or misuse of the voice. Muscles can become tight and this makes it difficult for the individual to use their voice efficiently.
Muscle Tension Dysphonia Read Post »
Often I have a lot of clients telling me that they are having difficulties with the ‘L’ sound. So why is it so hard to say the ‘L’ in words in English such as ‘ball’, when you already have this sound in your language as well? The reason is because there are differences in how we pronounce the ‘L’ sound in English.
Differences Between Pitch, Intonation, and Inflection Read Post »
Often I have a lot of clients telling me that they are having difficulties with the ‘L’ sound. So why is it so hard to say the ‘L’ in words in English such as ‘ball’, when you already have this sound in your language as well? The reason is because there are differences in how we pronounce the ‘L’ sound in English.
Are You Having Difficulty With The ‘L’ Sound? Read Post »
As a Speech Pathologist working in an adult clinic, I often get asked what the difference is between a psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist. In order to find and pick the right person to see, you have to have a good understanding of what each profession does.
/S/ and /Z/ Sounds: Are You A Dipper Or Tipper? Read Post »
As most of us know by now or at least have heard something about it, USA President Joe Biden stutters. He has struggled with stuttering his whole life.
USA President Joe Biden’s Stutter Read Post »
As a Speech Pathologist working in an adult clinic, I often get asked what the difference is between a psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist. In order to find and pick the right person to see, you have to have a good understanding of what each profession does.
Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Or Psychotherapist Read Post »
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), Occupational therapy (OT), and Physical therapy (PT) are all types of rehabilitation therapy. Rehabilitation therapy provides assessment and treatment for people to help regain their function whether it be there speech/language, physical, or everyday life skills. Here we will discuss each individual therapy and the similarities and differences between all three professions.
SLP vs OT vs PT: What’s The Difference? Read Post »
Often people mistake stuttering for typical dysfluencies. We all have dysfluencies at one point or another and this should not be confused with stuttering. A stutter is diagnosed by an SLP assessment looking at the types of dysfluencies the person is presenting, how often these dysfluencies occur, at what moments does the person stutter most (conversation, reading, single words), and how does the person react to their stuttering.
Stuttering Explained Read Post »
When feeling nervous or stressed during speech our body may tense up in various areas including: the shoulders, chest, stomach, neck, tongue, lips and/or vocal folds. Today we will discuss how tension can affect your speech and language, and what the impact of tension may be.
What Is Tension And How To Reduce It Read Post »
You may not be aware of what uptalk is but it refers to the rising intonation in the end of sentences. When uptalk is used continuously in someone’s speech, it may seem as they are constantly asking questions when they may be wanting to make statements. But why is up talk even important to mention?
We have been hard at work writing four online courses that will appear on our website within the next coming weeks! The four courses will cover the topics of assertive communication, women’s communication, leadership communication, and communication wellness.
Online Courses Coming Soon! Read Post »
Showing confidence through your verbal communication as well as non-verbal communication is important to show confidence in the workplace. How does one go about this in a way that is respectful, and shows that you know what you are talking about?
How To Communicate In The Workplace Read Post »
Vocal hygiene is used to describe appropriate maintenance for a healthy voice. There are many different ways one can maintain vocal hygiene by following these practices
What Is Vocal Hygiene? and How to Care for your Voice Read Post »
For those of you who have been coming into the downtown main location in the last few months, you may have noticed some big changes going around in the clinic. We have recently been going through an office expansion for the last few months. Renovations are now complete and we are finally pleased to offer three new office spaces for our wonderful clients to enjoy.
Office Expansion Complete Read Post »
My name is Anna Pasternak and I am a registered Speech Language Pathologist (CASLPO) who has been working at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy since October 2019.
Finally A Formal Introduction – Anna Pasternak, M.Sc. Read Post »
You come in for speech therapy sessions every week and your speech language pathologist assigns you exercises/homework to practice until the next session. It may seem like extra work that you may not always have time for but it is very IMPORTANT!
Weekly Home Practice Read Post »
