Amanda Forgione
SLP Student
Pediatric Speech and Language
Amanda is an SLP Student currently completing her Master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Ottawa. She is currently completing her clinical placement at the Key to Speech clinic with Brigitte Dobrzanski, Speech-Language Pathologist.
Brigitte Dobrzanski
SLP, Reg. CASLPO
Dysphagia (Impaired Swallowing), Fluency (Stuttering), Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing), Pediatric Speech and Language
Brigitte is the owner of Key to Speech and registered bilingual (French and English) Speech-Language Pathologist. She completed her Masters Program in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Ottawa in 2017. She is dedicated and motivated to helping children and their families reach their communication goals. Brigitte particularly enjoys working with late talkers, young children (< 4 years of age) who have been diagnosed with Autism, speech sound disorders, language delays/disorders, and reading and writing delays/disorders.
Brigitte has always wanted to work in healthcare while incorporating her passion for horses into her work. In her spare time, she enjoys going for walks with her family, playing piano, and horseback riding. She loves training her horse Cabella who will soon become Key to Speech’s first therapy horse. Brigitte is very excited to soon be able to offer hippotherapy (horse-assisted speech therapy) as part of the Key to Speech services!
Elsa Covelo
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Jessica Nicholls
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Jessica is a Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) who provides services in English. She received her degree from St Lawrence College and before pursing the CDA program, Jessica completed her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in American Sign Language and Disability Studies at Carleton University. During her studies, Jessica had the opportunity to complete one of her field placements at Key to Speech, where she fell in love with the atmosphere, colleagues, and the clients. As a CDA, Jessica’s favourite aspect of her job is the diversity it offers. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities as she works with a variety of clients, ensuring no two days are the same. This allows her to connect with new people, and think critically to create inidividualized therapy sessions for each of her clients. Jessica’s particular areas of interest include the ASD population, articulation, phonological awareness, and pragmatics. In her spare time you can find her in a yoga class, on a long walk, playing the piano, or baking!
Katheryne Legault
SLP, Reg. CASLPO
Voice and Chronic Cough
Katheryne is a bilingual registered Speech-Language Pathologist. She provides services to adults in both French and English. She brings her expertise in dysphagia and voice therapy to the team. She graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2009, starting her career in the critical, acute, and rehabilitation care settings. She works full time at Hôpital Montfort and works with adult clients part-time on the weekends. Her favourite part of the job is being able to help her clients find their voice and to continue to eat safely. She believes there is nothing more social than being able to talk and eat together! In her spare time, she enjoys reading, brunching, cuddling her black cat Jiji and playing video games.
Lynn Itani
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Victoria Robert
SLP, Reg. CASLPO
Adult Speech and Language, Dysphagia (Impaired Swallowing), Fluency (Stuttering), Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing), Pediatric Speech and Language, Voice and Chronic Cough
Victoria is a bilingual (French and English) registered Speech-Language Pathologist who completed her Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa and her Masters in Medical Science at the University of Sheffield (UK). Before pursuing her Masters, Victoria worked as a French language tutor and a Disney princess performer. She has experience working in private practice as well as in community settings, including School-based Rehabilitation Services for children and Home and Community Care Support Services Champlain for adults. Victoria’s heritage, which includes Franco-Ontarienne and Maritime roots, has helped her build strong communication and interpersonal skills and foster community connections. Victoria believes in taking a holistic approach to treatment, addressing not just the physical aspects of communication disorders, but also the emotional and psychological impact they can have on clients and their families. Victoria provides services to both children and adults for a variety of communication disorders, including voice and dysphagia disorders. When she is not working in the clinic or virtually, she enjoys singing, playing the ukulele, participating in recreational sports, trying new recipes, volunteering, and going to the movies!
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Early Intervention Is Key!
The ability to communicate effectively with other is the very foundation of a child's social, emotional and educational development. Research has shown that early intervention is key as difficulties early on can have a cascading effect on the rest of a child's life. If you have concerns with your child's speech, language or social development we recommend scheduling an appointment with a registered Speech-Language Pathologist.