Jestine Abella @slp.jestine

Hello there!

I'm a Speech-Language Pathologist registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). I have a double major in Psychology and Linguistics (with High Distinction), and I completed my Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto.

I have 8+ years of diverse experiences in a variety of clinical settings. In recent years, I've had the joy of collaborating with educators and families in a school board setting supporting the following:

• Oral receptive and expressive language- Learning and understanding new words, and putting words together to communicate your message.
• Social communication- Supporting language to socialize with peers, take turns in play and conversation, and learn theory of mind principles.
• Early literacy and phonological awareness skills:Establishing fundamental building blocks of early reading and writing skills and helping students transition from learning to read to reading to learn.
• Speech, articulation, stuttering, and phonological disorders -Assessment, treatment, and management of speech sounds and speaking patterns to help speakers communicate their message more effectively, fluently, and smoothy.
• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) -Exploring the use of low-tech and/or high-tech options (such as your home tablet or iPad!) to support language development and provide strategies to communicate in home, school, or other community environments.

I currently practice in a hospital neuro-rehab setting, working with stroke survivors and patients who suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the following areas:

• Stroke and aphasia education and helping families with implementing supported conversation training strategies: Clients who have suffered a stroke or TBI have likely fully developed oral and written communication skills before their stroke or traumatic event. It's a unique and sometimes very challenging experience having to navigate the sudden change or loss of your language, memory, and communication capacities. I work closely with clients, families, and caregivers to create a treatment plan that is meaningful, important, and personalized.
• Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC):AAC is for everyone! Together, we can explore low-tech and high-tech tools to support your communication needs.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]