Cynthia Bakker, MSLP, S-LP (C) , Registered SK
I am a mother of two wonderful boys and they remind me every day of the power of parents to teach, mentor and support their children in their lives. This has been my guiding principle for over 22 years of my career as a Speech Language Pathologist. I have worked with children in many different capacities for over 25 years and continue to love spending every day helping families teach their children. Though I almost found my profession by accident, I have never regretted a minute; and I show up for work every day still as motivated and excited as I was at the beginning of my career. I have worked in three provinces and in a multitude of settings, both public and private, and continue to grow and learn new methods and skills each year. I have spent a good portion of my career working in the early childhood field with infants, toddlers and preschoolers, but also have a love for and 15 years experience working with reading, writing, and language assessment for school age children.
I attended the University of Ottawa with the plan of becoming a translator and took French, Spanish and German. I began taking Linguistics courses to support my entrance into translation school and immediately fell in love with the study of language. This led me to the field of speech language pathology and I have never looked back. I completed a degree in psychology and linguistics and then took some time off to serve with the Royal Canadian Navy. I re-entered school and completed my Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Alberta.
I have a strong clinical background in many areas of my field and am a true neuro -science geek. I love to continually learn new techniques and information about the brain and apply it every day in my practice. I have 22 years of experience with toddler, preschool and school age children addressing a variety of issues including: early language development, speech sound delays, childhood apraxia of speech, language delays, autism spectrum disorder, feeding and literacy. I have 10 years of experience in infant, toddler and preschool feeding issues (including picky eating, infant feeding). I am certified or trained in many of the following areas: Hanen, Lidcombe, Floor Time, ABA, SCERTS, SOS feeding, ADOS, and PROMPT. I have direct training in assessing and treating reading, writing and spelling for school age students.
This field continues to inspire me every day. I truly believe every family has the power to help their child communicate and look forward every day to guiding parents in making this happen!
Nichole Forbes, M.Sc., S-LP (C), Registered SK
Prior to University I had no previous knowledge of what a speech and language pathologist’s role or job entailed. I stumbled upon our field as an option when I knew I wanted to work with children; and am forever grateful someone mentioned “speech therapy” as a potential university degree. Since earning my Masters degree, I have continued to strive to provide the best speech and language therapy for my clients and their families. I have a passion for working with children and helping families find functional strategies that work within their daily routines. Having two children of my own, communicative success and independence within the home and a child’s community is very relevant and important to me. It’s my practice and ultimate goal as a speech language pathologist to provide that freedom and independence to my families and clients as well; and I love how different that looks for each individual!
I completed my bachelors degree with a minor is psychology, and a concentration in Deaf Education, at Minot State University. It was during the summers when I worked at the Autism resource Centre, that I fell in love with working with individuals with Autism. I decided to seek out grad schools who actively researched therapy techniques for children with Autism. This led me to the University of Texas at El Paso where I focused my graduate studies on working with children with developmental needs, AAC communication, and Autism.
I am driven, motivated and eager to learn new strategies that can best assist my families. I have a passion for coaching parents and caregivers, running parent education groups, and working with a wide range of children. I have a diverse background and 10 year direct experience in; autism, early language development, apraxia of speech, parent coaching, speech sound disorders, school age language, literacy, and a variety of disorders and delays. I am certified or trained in: Hanen, It’s an honour to work with the families I previously have worked with and I genuinely feel blessed to work with new families.
Orenda Pelzer, M. Sc., S-LP(C), Registered. SK
I was introduced to the field of Speech-Language Pathology by my mom, who was a teacher, and was lucky enough to get the opportunity to shadow a family friend who was an SLP when I was in high school. Sure enough when I got to UBC the course I loved more than any other in my first year was my Linguistics course – I was completely hooked. I completed an honours degree in linguistics and then stayed on at UBC to complete my masters in speech sciences. I continue to be fascinated by language, especially the development of language in children. Having been able to witness my own two wonderful children develop language, social skills and independence as they’ve grown has only increased my passion for working in the field of speech-language pathology.
I have been extremely fortunate in my career to have had experience working with children from 18 months to 18 years old in the Regina Public School system as well as to work with families and children privately. Working in the schools and privately has given me the opportunity to work with children with all kinds of communication needs in a variety of settings. I have 18 years experience in many areas of speech and language including: autism, early language development, teacher and parent coaching and education, school-age language, speech sound disorders, motor speech, social skill development and augmented and alternative communication. I am trained in PODD (Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display), Social Thinking, Reference and Regulate and Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cuing. I have my Level II Certification in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Hanen Certification, PROMPT Certification and I am a registered Communication Intermediary.
I believe that communication is the foundation for independence, social skills and eventually academic success. It is a privilege to help the children I work with communicate more effectively with their family, friends and within their communities. Each child and family is unique and I strive to be creative in working with them and to learn something new everyday.
Chandra Whippler, M. H. Sc. SLP(C), Registered SK.
I’ve had a lengthy but exciting adventure to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. I had always known that I wanted to work with children for a career. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at the University of Regina having been born and raised here in Regina. Though fascinated by Psychology, my long-term aim was to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. Upon finishing my undergraduate degree, I went off to Australia to do some travelling. A few years later I found myself back there starting my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. I graduated from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Since becoming a speech therapist, I have worked with school-aged children helping them to reach their communicative potential across various environments. I also have worked in early intervention supporting children with extra needs, along with their families. During this time, my husband and I also moved back to Regina and welcomed a spirited baby girl and a new baby boy to our lives who continue to show me the importance of connection and help me continually learn new things about child development and communication!
I love the diversity that this field brings to my life. Every child is so different and I love how it challenges me to continue to learn and find innovative and research driven ways to best support the children and families I am working with. I feel like communication is such an integral part of making connections with other people and love having a role in helping children be the best communicators they can be across all environments. I have 10 years of experience in a range of areas including: Autism, early intervention, literacy, speech sound disorders, social skills, and augmentative and alternative communication, as well as experience working with children with a range of delays and language learning disorders. I believe parents play a critical role in their child’s goal setting and therapy and love building relationships with families while I play a small role in helping to foster their child’s development.
Stacie Donison, M.Sc, S-LP (C), Registered SK, BC
My career aspirations began in high school when I volunteered to work with my peers in the Functional Integrated Academic Program (FIAP). After high school, I moved to Arizona with my family and worked as an educational assistant, mentored by Marsha Dunn Klein, M. Ed., OTR/L and others in the community of therapists in Tucson, Arizona. I then worked as a speech therapy assistant in Phoenix, Arizona while pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Arizona State University and then my M.S. in Clinical Speech and Language Pathology at Northern Arizona University.
For over 25 years I have been working with children and their families. I love this field because language is always evolving and there are always new ways to learn and teach children how to communicate in a way that works best for them. I have extensive experience in; autism, early language development, apraxia of speech, receptive and expressive language delay/disorder, and speech sound delay/disorder.
I am truly thankful for every child that I have worked with. It is an honour to watch them grow and succeed. It is my goal to make every therapy session fun and engaging while helping them communicate in a way that is easiest for them.
Dana Ulmer, B.Sc.-SLPA
I joined Regina Speech Centre in the fall of 2018 and have loved working and building
relationships with many amazing clients and families here, as well as working with our fantastic staff.
We have a great group of SLP’s that are experienced, creative, supportive and passionate about their
work!
I have spent my whole career working with kids, 14 years in the school system before moving to the
private sector. I love my client’s energy and eagerness to work and have some fun while learning, they
make this a rewarding field to be in! I have a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders from
Minot State University, and I enjoy participating in continuing education courses to stay on top of this
ever-evolving profession. I am committed to continue to grow and be a life-long learner. Currently my
role with Regina Speech Centre involves working one on one with clients and families, as well as doing
some of the behind-the-scenes administrative work. I really enjoy the variety of work that this clinic
setting offers. I am married to a great man and have two pretty great kids too! When I’m not busy being
a chauffeur and cheering our kids on at the rink, ball diamond or in the gym, I enjoy staying active,
tackling reno projects, socializing with family and friends, watching sports, reading and enjoying the
outdoors.