Speech Language Pathologist
Speech Language Pathology:
Speech Delays & Disorders:
SLPs can help children who have difficulty forming specific words or sounds correctly as well as making sentences flow smoothly learn to say their sounds and repair communication breakdowns when their speech is unclear.
Fluency Disorders:
A fluency disorder is an interruption in the flow of speaking such as stuttering. It can look whole and part word repetitions, long pauses while speaking and can even include groping or grimacing. SLPs play a central role in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of fluency disorders.
Social Communication & Play skills:
SLPs love to play! They can help children develop their play skills and learn how to interact with peers within a social environment such as turn taking, sharing, and playing with others.
Language & Literacy:
Children sometimes have trouble with understanding what others say (receptive language) or communicating ideas through language (expressive language). Children can also have difficulty with pre-literacy skills such as rhyming, segmenting, blending and manipulation of sounds in words. SLPs can help with language disorders affecting their grammar, vocabulary, direction following or comprehension as well as pre-literacy and literacy skills including reading and written expression
Augmentative & Alternative Communication:
Some children may use sign language, speech generating devices or pictures to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts and ideas. SLPs can help support children and their families to communicate through alternative communication methods.
Our Speech Language Pathologists:
Natalya Vallieres-Durham
Natalya is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist who completed her Master’s in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Calgary. Natalya has spent the majority of her time working with a pediatric population in homes, schools, preschools and in-clinic.
Natalya has developed a keen interest in working and supporting children with articulation, phonology or language delays as well as children with other communication needs, developmental disorders or bilingual children.
Prior to the completion of her master’s degree, Natalya worked as a behavioural aide and discovered the importance of play and play-based approaches to therapy, which she believes supports children's curiosity and independence both inside and outside the home. Now as a speech-language pathologist, she aims to help children meet their communication goals in fun and engaging ways.
Natalya incorporates a family centred approach to therapy, and aims to make families feel empowered and supported along the way. She strongly believes in creating functional and attainable communication goals while celebrating the small wins in-between.
Outside of working at Ascend Pediatrics, you can find Natalya trying out new restaurants and coffee shops, hiking, or planning out her next travel adventure.
Katie Braun
Katie is a driven Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in providing services for children. She graduated from Minot State University with her masters degree and spent a year in the United States providing SLP services for children aged 0-16 at a pediatric private clinic. She is originally from Saskatchewan but has moved to Cochrane to be closer to the mountains.
Katie's therapeutic interests include working with Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC), Apraxia, feeding disorders, early language, and other language and developmental delays/disorders. She focuses on a family centered and multidisciplinary approach to ensure the needs of the whole child are being met. She strives to create a welcoming and positive environment for her clients and their families.
When she isn't working, you can find Katie on a hike with her pup, Nala, exploring the outdoors, relaxing on the couch watching netflix, spending time with friends and family, and in the colder months, on the mountain skiing!