Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates (CTT&WA)

🤫 Things You Won’t Hear in Speech Therapy: “Say truck!” or “Use your words!” Research shows pressure can reduce communication. We focus on connection, safety & natural language modeling.

Full blog + video 👇

communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%a4%ab...

#SLP #SpeechTherapy #Waterloo #ParentingTips

Education about Selective Mutism makes such a difference—awareness helps build understanding, empathy, and support. I’m so glad you learned about it and can share that insight with others.

💪 Every child has strengths worth building on.
When therapy starts with what your child loves, confidence and communication grow together.
Read the full blog + video 👇

communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%92%aa...

#SLP #SpeechTherapy #Waterloo

It’s International Stuttering Awareness Day! 💚 My Waterloo, ON SLP practice, Communicating Together, has 3 blog articles with videos on supporting children and teens who stutter.
Find the links here: communicatingtogether.ca/blog-home/

#stuttering #stammering #SLP #SpeechTherapy #Waterloo

Text overlay on a sea green background, the official colour of stuttering awareness. The text reads: "INTERNATIONAL STUTTERING AWARENESS DAY. LISTEN TO LIVED EXPERIENCE." The logo for Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates is visible below, along with the location "Waterloo, ON." Logo Description: The official logo features two hands gently forming a heart, symbolizing empathy, support, and connection. Inside the heart are four smaller hearts in blue, green, orange, and pink, representing the diverse individuals and families served. Framed by bold purple banners, the top displays the clinic’s name, and the bottom carries the guiding message: “Care Meets Possibilities.” This visual identity embodies the clinic's commitment to inclusive, strengths-based speech-language therapy.

It’s International Stuttering Awareness Day! 💚 Canadian landmarks (CN Tower, Niagara Falls, etc.) shine sea green tonight to foster understanding and support.

Listen to those with lived experience (like the "Breaking the Ice Podcast"!). We all build empathy by listening.
#ISAD #Stuttering #Waterloo

Thank you so kindly for sharing this. I watched the trailer and look forward to watching the documentary. I love that it highlights the lived experiences of individuals with selective mutism. Listening to those with lived experience helps build compassion and guide better ways to support others.

🫣 Sometimes what looks like “bad behaviour” is really a child struggling to communicate.
Pause before judging.

Learn more in my newest blog article + video 👇

communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%ab%a3...

#SLP #Communication #Parenting #Waterloo

Kids with Selective Mutism may be chatty at home but quiet elsewhere. 💬 Speech therapy can gently support confidence with non-pressured strategies. Learn more in my newest blog article + video 👇

communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%94%87...

#SelectiveMutism #SpeechTherapy #WaterlooOntario

Today, Sept 30th, is the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. We honour Survivors of residential schools, including Phyllis Webstad. Every Child Matters. Take time to learn the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action: ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/u...

#NDTR #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters

Does your child repeat phrases from movies, books, or things you’ve said? 💬 This may be a sign of Gestalt language processing—a different, valid way kids learn. Learn more in my latest blog + video 👇
communicatingtogether.ca/%e2%9a%99%ef...

#SpeechTherapy #LanguageDevelopment #SLP #WaterlooOntario

That is wonderful! Thank you so kindly for offering me the opportunity to suggest a theme I might like you to discuss on one of your future episodes. I will let you know if I think of any potential topics. Thanks again and take care.

So great – thank you again for raising awareness for people who stammer. I look forward to listening to more episodes of your Breaking the Ice Podcast. Take care and have a great weekend!

I’m so glad you’re sharing your experiences with stuttering. You’re helping others feel less alone and also educating people so those who stutter can be better supported and feel safer sharing openly. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing—your lived experience is so valuable! I started listening to your Breaking the Ice podcast and just finished S1E1—planning to share it with families and fellow SLPs. Your voice and visibility are powerful.

#stutter #stammering #stuttering #stammeringpride #stammeringawareness

Not all stuttering is easy to spot. Some kids work hard to hide it—often at an emotional cost. 💬 Learn about covert stuttering + how to help in my latest blog + video 👇
communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%92%ac...

#SpeechTherapy #StutteringAwareness #SLP #ChildDevelopment #WaterlooOntario #KidsHealth

Trust is the foundation for communication. Before kids can work on goals, they need to feel safe + understood. Blog + video on why the “warm-up” matters 👇
communicatingtogether.ca/%F0%9F%8C%89...

#SpeechTherapy #ChildDevelopment #WaterlooOntario #SLP #TrustInTherapy #TherapeuticRelationship

💡 Behaviour = communication. Blog + video on how reframing behaviour supports kids, teens & adults to feel understood. Watch here 👇
communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%93%94...
#SpeechTherapy #AAC #ParentingTips #WaterlooOntario #SLP #NeurodiversityAffirming

What if your child's biggest breakthrough wasn't a new skill, but understanding their brain? 🧠 Our new blog + video has tips for building confidence.

🔗 communicatingtogether.ca/%f0%9f%a7%a0...
power-of-explaining-how-your-brain-works-to-kids/

#SpeechTherapy #Neurodiversity #WaterlooON #SLP

YouTube video by Communicating Together Your Role in Speech Therapy is More Powerful Than You May Think

Your role in your child’s speech therapy is more powerful than you may think. 🌟 Learn how everyday moments at home can boost progress—without becoming the therapist yourself.

Watch: youtu.be/PlvLQMrG-_I

#SpeechTherapy #ParentTips #SLP #CommunicationSkills #WaterlooOntario

Drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic kids in Canada — but it doesn’t have to be. As a speech-language pathologist/speech therapist & former lifeguard, I share inclusive water safety tips for families.

🌊 Read: communicatingtogether.ca/%F0%9F%8C%8A...

#AutismSafety #WaterSafety #SLP

YouTube video by Communicating Together Stop the Guilt: A Speech Therapist’s Message to Parents

💛 To the loving, caring parents out there: you did NOT cause your child’s communication challenges. In my new video I share how SLPs partner with families & why support (not guilt) matters. 🌱 Watch: youtu.be/CNKxkDcwUcY

#SpeechTherapy #ParentSupport #SLP #CommunicationMatters #WaterlooON

YouTube video by Communicating Together The Hidden Side of Stuttering – Why It Matters | Speech Therapist Explains

My new video covers covert stuttering, masking & why therapy should focus on well-being—not just fluency. Thanks to adults who’ve shared their stories, making therapy more compassionate.
🎥 Watch: youtu.be/qWKZ9Nf-m2k

#StutteringAwareness #SLP #SpeechTherapy #WaterlooOntario #CovertStuttering

YouTube video by Communicating Together BEING OPEN ABOUT STUTTERING: Speech Therapist Explains

Talking openly about stuttering helps kids feel safe, confident & understood. 💛 I share why openness matters & tips for caregivers in my new video.

Watch here 👉 youtu.be/yfi23Kfb-rc

#StutteringAwareness #SLP #ParentingTips #WaterlooOntario #OpennessAboutStuttering #SpeechTherapy #Communication

YouTube video by Communicating Together The Best "Toys" for Your Child's Speech & Language Development (They're Not What You Think!)

🎥 My first YouTube video is live! I’m Rhonda, a private speech-language pathologist (SLP) in Waterloo, ON, sharing the best toys to support your child’s speech & language (spoiler: it might be YOU!). 💛 Watch here:

youtube.com/shorts/ntAtO...
#SLP #SpeechTherapy #ParentTips #WaterlooON

Children with speech issues risk poor mental health, charity says Speech and Language UK says some children can struggle to categorise and communicate how they feel.

DLD in the media again! This time from the BBC in the UK. We are happy to see Siouxsie featured in this article as well. Siouxsie was the designer for last year's DLD day poster. Read more here. www.bbc.com/news/article...
If DLD is in the media in your country, we can share it for you!
#devlangdis

This has been on my mind too. I’ve also had to explain my title due to confusion around the word “pathologist” in “speech-language pathologist.” “Speech-language therapist” may be a better fit. It’s a conversation worth having in countries still using SLP. Thanks for sharing this editorial.

#SLP

Image with the following text in large, friendly font: “Every child deserves to feel safe in the brain they have. What books have helped your neurodivergent children, clients, or students feel seen and understood? Let’s build a list together.” To the right of the text are two small illustrations: – One is a cheerful bee wearing glasses and reading an open book. – The other is the logo for Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, which features two hands forming the shape of a heart. Inside the heart—set against a yellow background—are four smaller hearts in blue, green, orange, and pink. At the bottom of the image is the name and professional information of the clinician: Rhonda MacKinnon, M.Sc., S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO Speech-Language Pathologist Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Let’s raise kids who feel confident being their authentic selves—and who stand up for others too.
💬 Learn more about my SLP services in Waterloo, Ontario:
👉 communicatingtogether.ca

#SLP #WaterlooON #SupportNotShame #Stuttering #Autism #ADHD #SpeechTherapy

Image with the following text in large, friendly font: “Every child deserves to feel safe in the brain they have. What books have helped your neurodivergent children, clients, or students feel seen and understood? Let’s build a list together.” To the right of the text are two small illustrations: – One is a cheerful bee wearing glasses and reading an open book. – The other is the logo for Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, which features two hands forming the shape of a heart. Inside the heart—set against a yellow background—are four smaller hearts in blue, green, orange, and pink. At the bottom of the image is the name and professional information of the clinician: Rhonda MacKinnon, M.Sc., S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO Speech-Language Pathologist Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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📚 Books can help start conversations. My son related deeply to “Mrs. Gorski, I Think I Have the Wiggle Fidgets” by Barbara Esham. It helped lift shame and build self-understanding. Do you have book recommendations for talking about neurodivergence with kids?

#KidsBooks #Neurodiversity #SLP

Image with the following text in large, friendly font: “Every child deserves to feel safe in the brain they have. What books have helped your neurodivergent children, clients, or students feel seen and understood? Let’s build a list together.” To the right of the text are two small illustrations: – One is a cheerful bee wearing glasses and reading an open book. – The other is the logo for Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, which features two hands forming the shape of a heart. Inside the heart—set against a yellow background—are four smaller hearts in blue, green, orange, and pink. At the bottom of the image is the name and professional information of the clinician: Rhonda MacKinnon, M.Sc., S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO Speech-Language Pathologist Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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When kids learn about their own brains—or others’—it helps them grow into allies & feel safer if they are neurodivergent. Talking about stuttering, autism, ADHD, OCD & more reduces fear, fosters empathy & prevents exclusion.

#MentalHealthMatters #EveryVoiceMatters #SLP

Image with the following text in large, friendly font: “Every child deserves to feel safe in the brain they have. What books have helped your neurodivergent children, clients, or students feel seen and understood? Let’s build a list together.” To the right of the text are two small illustrations: – One is a cheerful bee wearing glasses and reading an open book. – The other is the logo for Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, which features two hands forming the shape of a heart. Inside the heart—set against a yellow background—are four smaller hearts in blue, green, orange, and pink. At the bottom of the image is the name and professional information of the clinician: Rhonda MacKinnon, M.Sc., S-LP(C), Reg. CASLPO Speech-Language Pathologist Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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🌈 At Communicating Together, we believe that nurturing open conversations with children builds a more inclusive future—where neurodivergent voices are understood, respected & valued.

#NeurodiversityAffirming #SLP #SpeechTherapy #InclusionMatters