(905) 503-4321
Our Therapists
Jill McDermid
M.S., CCC-SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Owner & Clinical Director
Jill obtained a Bachelor of Health Science degree (double major: Health Science and Linguistics) at the University of Western Ontario before completing the Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) program at Georgian College. After working as a CDA for several years, Jill moved to Chicago, Illinois to obtain her Master of Science degree in Speech Language and Learning (concentration: Speech-Language Pathology) from Northwestern University. While in Chicago, Jill developed clinical skills providing SLP services to infants and preschool-aged children at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, school-aged children within the Evanston, Illinois school district, and adults at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Jill has experience evaluating and facilitating the development of a wide range of speech and language skills including speech sounds, receptive and expressive language, literacy, social communication, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, feeding/swallowing, and accent modification. She has additional training in PROMPT (Introduction to PROMPT: Technique) and is certified in Hanen's More Than Words, It Takes Two to Talk, Target Word, and Talkability.
Jill is excited to live and work in her home community of Aurora. In addition to practicing Speech-Language Pathology at Aurora Speech Clinic, Jill also provides communication and swallowing assessment and treatment at hospitals in York Region. Jill is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).
Stephanie Zawalicz
MHSc., CCC-SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Owner & Clinical Director
Stephanie obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at McMaster University before completing her Master of Health Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. After graduating from U of T, Stephanie provided cognitive-communication intervention in the community to clients with acquired brain injuries before working in a private pediatric practice and with the Durham Preschool Speech and Language Program.
After working in Ontario for several years, Stephanie moved to the US, first to San Francisco, California and then Austin, Texas, where she continued to develop her clinical skills in several pediatric speech-language clinics. Stephanie moved back to the GTA to be closer to her family and is excited to blend the therapy approaches she has learned in Canada and the US to make a difference in the community where she grew up!
Stephanie is passionate about continuing education; her additional training includes: Introduction to PROMPT, PROMPT Bridging, Hanen’s More Than Words, Talkability, It Takes Two to Talk, Introduction to PECS, Lidcombe Program for Early Intervention of Stuttering, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), The Orofacial Rest Posture Program (ORPP) Screening and Preliminary Intervention for Pediatric SLPs, and Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Level 1 and 2. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).
Zohra Roshanali
M.S., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Zohra is a bilingual Speech and Language Pathologist with a career that stretches to both sides of the Atlantic. Zohra obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Westminster and a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Therapy from City University in London (UK).
After completing her Master’s degree, Zohra worked for the British National Health System providing assessment and therapy to preschool and school aged children. Zohra has experience working with children of all ages and abilities. These include but are not limited to Speech-Language Delay, Learning Disabilities, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Zohra moved to Toronto in 2015 and has worked across various paediatric settings in the GTA. She speaks several languages including French, Gujarati, Urdu and Swahili and loves working with children from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Zohra knows that every child has their unique character, and she enjoys the challenge of finding new ways of engaging with them so that they enjoy the sessions.
Zohra’s continuing education pursuits include Introduction to PROMPT, More Than Words, Evaluation and Intervention Practices for Children who Stutter, Lidcombe Program, Fluency Plus: A Comprehensive Program for School Age Children and Teens Who Stutter, Introduction to the Early Start Denver Model and Oral Placement Therapy. She is Registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).
Sarah Watson
MClSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sarah attended the University of Western Ontario to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree (honours specialization in Psychology) followed by her Master of Clinical Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology. After graduation, Sarah ventured approximately 20 hours north of Toronto to gain work experience in Sioux Lookout Ontario. There, she was able to expand her cultural and clinical experiences seeing both inpatients and outpatients at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (a hospital that provides service to Sioux Lookout and surrounding areas, including the communities north of Sioux Lookout). Sarah also gained work experience in long term care and at the local schools.
Sarah has experience evaluating and facilitating the development of a wide range of speech and language skills including speech sounds in children with cleft lip and palate, receptive and expressive language, voice, fluency, cognitive communication, augmentative and alternative communication, adult swallowing disorders, and accent modification. She has additional training in Lee Silverman Voice Treatments (LSVT LOUD), Best Practice in the Identification, Assessment and Treatment of Oropharyngeal Dsyphagia, the Assistive Devices Program, Hanen's It Takes Two to Talk, and Hanen's More Than Words. Sarah is also a musician who is keen to incorporate music into her therapy sessions whenever suitable!
Sarah is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).
Jessica Bristol
MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica graduated with a Master of Health Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto in 2008 after completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree at McMaster University, where she also minored in Psychology.
Jessica is an experienced medical speech-language pathologist with a special interest in acquired brain injury. She has provided assessment, treatment and consultative services for adults with communication and swallowing disorders in acute care, inpatient and outpatient neurological rehabilitation, and community settings across the GTA. She is passionate about the functional and evidence-based treatment of cognitive-communication disorders, including post-concussion, and her clients' successful return to work, school and play.
Jessica has recently transitioned from hospital to Aurora Speech Clinic to provide assessment and treatment services for both children and adults with developmental or acquired communication and swallowing disorders.
For many years, Jessica has provided clinical education for graduate students from U of T, McMaster University, and Western University. She previously held a status appointment as an Instructor from the University of Toronto’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology. Jessica is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and has done extensive continuing education in the fields of neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders.
When not with her clients, Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends. She lives in Aurora, the community in which she grew up, with her husband and three daughters.
Debbie Leung
M.A., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Debbie obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree (double major: Psychology and Experimental Linguistics) from the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered at the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program. She then moved to Ohio where she obtained a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toledo.
Debbie is passionate about working with toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. She has experience assessing and facilitating the development of a wide range of speech and language skills including speech sound disorders, receptive and expressive language, literacy, fluency, social communication, and augmentative and alternative communication. Debbie is certified in It Takes Two to Talk® - The Hanen Program® and the Lidcombe Program: A Behavioural Intervention for Stuttering in Pre-School Aged Children.
With her experience working in various settings including Ohio and Ontario school systems, a pediatric outpatient clinic, and an acute care hospital, Debbie values and places a high emphasis on collaboration with families and other professionals to create individualized and functional goals to optimize client success.
Debbie is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).
Debbie speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
Maytal Cuperfain
MHSc., SLP-C Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Maytal is a passionate Speech-Language Pathologist who is committed to helping others achieve their communication goals. She has experience working with children ranging from preschool to grade school in a variety of capacities in the community. Maytal conducts formal and informal assessment and enjoys finding creative ways to make therapy fun and engaging.
Maytal obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (honours) at York University and completed her Master of Health Science in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Toronto.Maytal is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Denise Lee
MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Denise obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology Neuroscience & Behavior, specializing in Music Cognition at McMaster University. She then obtained her Master of Health Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA).
Denise has experience providing family-centered assessment and intervention in the areas of cognitive communication disorders, articulation, developmental language, play and social skills, and motor speech disorders to children from ages 0-18. Additionally, she has worked with the adult population in both acute care and rehabilitation hospital settings, providing assessment and intervention to individuals recovering from brain injury and stroke.
Denise speaks English and conversational Cantonese.
Nichole Summerfield
M.A SLP, Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Nichole graduated from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honours in 2007. Throughout her undergraduate, she volunteered with the Windsor-Essex County Preschool Speech and Language Program, Talk 2 Me, where she developed a passion for early language intervention. She completed a post-bachelor program at Wayne State University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology in 2010. After graduating, Nichole moved up to Sault Ste. Marie, ON to start her career with the Children’s Treatment Center. With this position, she provided speech and language services on a multi-disciplinary team for children and youth between the ages of birth to 18 years of age with a wide range of communicative needs. She also travelled to surrounding areas to provide speech and language services including Espanola and Elliot Lake, ON. Nichole moved back home in 2011, where she was a Speech-Language Pathologist for Children First, a local preschool program providing in-home visits to children and families with developmental and mental health needs. In 2013, Nichole was recruited by Talk 2 Me to work alongside the colleagues she had once volunteered with, now as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She supported families and children in the community with speech and language assessments, treatment, and consultation. Nichole provided family-centered intervention with the Talk 2 Me Preschool program for almost 10 years, until recently, when an opportunity was offered to expand her clinical skills and knowledge to school based services.
Nichole has a wide range of early language intervention Hanen certifications, including It Takes Two to Talk®, More Than Words®, Target Word®, TalkAbility®, 4 I’S to Socialize®, as well as Introduction and Bridging to PROMPT Technique.
Nichole is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).
Claire Bar
MClSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Claire obtained a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences from McMaster University, followed by a Master of Clinical Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Western University. She has a wide range of experience working with a paediatric population, specifically in the domains of articulation, language development, fluency and motor speech. She is also passionate about dysphagia management and post-stroke care, having gained experience in this discipline through volunteer work at a community-based aphasia clinic. Claire is certified in It Takes Two to Talk® - The Hanen Program®.
To ensure that best possible outcomes are achieved, Claire employs a family-centered care approach. This involves the inclusion of family members in planning, implementation and evaluation of services, providing support for all parties involved in the therapy journey. She strives to make sessions as individualised as possible, encouraging continued interest and engagement. Claire is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Madeline Lue Tam
MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Madeline obtained a Bachelor of Health Sciences with an Honors Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Western Ontario. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered with Family Speech Clinic, Aurora Speech Clinic, March of Dimes Aphasia and Communication Disabilities Program, and worked with Autism Ontario Kids. She then went on to complete a French-English bilingual graduate program at the University of Ottawa and graduated with a Master of Health Sciences in Speech-Language Pathology. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Madeline has experience working with children with a wide range of abilities, providing family-centered care in the areas of articulation, developmental language, pre-linguistic communication, and early intervention for feeding and swallowing. She is also passionate about dysphagia, aphasia, and cognitive communication, having worked with the adult population in acute care and rehabilitation settings. She is certified in LSVT Loud® (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment).
Madeline values taking a collaborative approach with clients and their families and is committed to providing quality treatment based on individualized functional goals.
Madeline speaks English and French.
Megan Van Kannel
MSc(A), SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Megan is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP) with the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of Speech Pathology & Audiology Canada (SAC). Megan completed her Masters of Applied Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (S-LP) at McGill University in 2021.
Megan was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She attended Lakehead University for her undergraduate studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN). She started her career in healthcare as a bedside nurse, where she developed her passion for client-centered care and serving the community where she grew up.
Megan has a wide range of clinical interests, including providing pre-school and early elementary services, as well as neurological rehabilitation in the adult population. In her previous position, Megan worked with a tribal council, where she provided service to multiple fly-in remote communities. From this experience, she gained a better understanding of culturally safe care and the importance of building relationships in order to provide effective service.
Megan strives to be a life-long learner, and she takes opportunities to develop her skills and knowledge from continuing education courses, research and her clients. In her spare time, Megan is sure to enjoy the beauty NWO has to offer through hiking, camping and riding her mountain bike.
Tiffany Wong
MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Tiffany obtained a Master’s of Health Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University, where she specialized in Linguistics and Psychology. Tiffany developed clinical skills providing SLP services to infants and pre-school aged children at The Hanen Centre, adolescents at the Hospital for Sick Children, and adults at Toronto Western Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital.
Tiffany has experience in assessment and treatment of a wide range of speech and language areas, including receptive and expressive language, articulation, fluency, social communication, swallowing, voice, resonance, and accent modification. Tiffany emphasizes a holistic approach and creates an inclusive and collaborative environment for her clients.
As a life-long learner, Tiffany continually pursues post-graduate training to deliver evidence-based care. She is certified in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk and the Modified Barium Swallowing Impairment Profile. She has also acquired supplemental training in singing voice rehabilitation. Tiffany is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Tiffany speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and conversational French.
Jessica Ralph
MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Jessica received a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from Brock University, followed by a Master of Health Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Toronto. After graduation, Jessica provided in-home private therapy, and then transitioned to work with the Peel Preschool Speech & Language program.
Jessica is a warm and enthusiastic clinician who values caregiver involvement and functional intervention goals. Jessica has worked with preschool & school-aged children to support various communication differences, particularly early language & social communication. She is an advocate for early intervention, play-based therapy, and neurodiversity affirming care.
Jessica is certified in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk and the Lidcombe fluency program. She seeks out continuing education & research to guide her clinical practice. Jessica is a registered member of the College of Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), and with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC).
Amanda Cassin
BA. ECE, MHSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology. She has clinical experience in a variety of settings including public and private schools, childcare facilities, child development centres, hospitals, and in-home based services. Amanda has performed paediatric assessments and treatment related to receptive and expressive language, social communication, articulation, literacy, cognitive communication, as well as eating, feeding, and swallowing. She has also performed adult assessments and treatment related to apraxia, dysarthria, and cognitive communication.
Amanda is an advocate for early intervention and is passionate about collaborating with children and their families to promote social, emotional, and academic success. Prior to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, Amanda was an Early Childhood Educator. She has four years of teaching experience with children aged three through twelve years old. During this time, she worked with numerous children with a wide range of varying abilities and English proficiency levels. In addition, Amanda also holds a Children’s Mental Health certificate.
Cayley Thoms
MClSc., SLP Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist
Cayley graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science (honours) in Psychology and a minor in Linguistics. She then went on to complete a Master of Clinical Science in Speech Language Pathology at Western University in 2022. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Cayley has had the opportunity to practice in a variety of settings, working with individuals across the life span, from preschool children to older adults. She has provided assessment and treatment both in-person and virtually in the areas of language development, articulation, motor speech disorders, voice disorders, cognitive communication disorders and dysphagia. Cayley also has experience with individuals who have experienced stroke and traumatic brain injury. In addition to her clinical experience, Cayley is a certified Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Loud (LSVT) and Hanen It Takes Two to Talk ®–The Hanen Program® clinician.
Cayley values using a collaborative, family centered approach with clients and families, and emphasizes personalizing goals and treatment to ensure they are meaningful and functional in everyday life.
Alana-Rae Saunders
OT Reg.(Ont.), MScOT
Occupational Therapist
Alana-Rae Saunders has over 10 years of pediatric experience across various practice settings including children’s treatment centres, schools (including preschool and daycare), community and home as a direct service provider, consultant and teacher. She received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Queen’s University and is licensed under the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and New York State.
With her experience, she brings compassion, patience, and enthusiasm to the Aurora Speech Clinic community while using a holistic play-based therapeutic approach to learning and development. She values the importance of play and believes that every child deserves an opportunity to reach their fullest potential with parents/caregivers being an essential part of the therapeutic process.
Alana provides OT services to children ranging from infancy to adolescents with a variety of conditions and concerns including but not limited to developmental delays, autism, sensory processing, ADHD, developmental coordination challenges, fine and gross motor delay, prematurity, and feeding.
Stephanie Vernon
OT Reg.(Ont.), MScOT
Occupational Therapist
Stephanie is excited to be part of the Aurora Speech Clinic team and brings with her over 19 years of experience in pediatrics. She strives to help every child that she works with to maximize their potential in a positive, child and family-centred manner. Stephanie has experience supporting children in the areas of; fine motor skills, self-regulation abilities, sensory processing abilities, play, gross motor, and self-care skills. She has worked with many children over the years with; Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, learning difficulties, prematurity, ADHD, developmental delays, and other genetic conditions.
Stephanie graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, minor in Psychology, from McMaster University. She then obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. Stephanie is registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and is a member of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
Stephanie strives to help children develop their skills to enable integration. She also has experience with successful program development and implementation that has allowed children with a variety of special needs to successfully participate in extracurricular activities such as skating. Stephanie has experience with developing and teaching workshops to parents, caregivers, Early Childhood Educators, and College students.
Melissa Bennett
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Melissa obtained a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Biology, from the University of Ottawa. She then went on to complete her graduate certificate as a Communicative Disorders Assistant from Georgian College. With experience at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Family Speech clinic and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, she has worked with adults as well as children of all ages.
At Southlake Regional Health Centre, Melissa provides treatment for adults who present with communication and swallowing disorders following acquired brain injury and complex medical concerns. She is part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team whose ultimate goal is to improve quality of life for patients in their care.
At Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Melissa provides treatment for adults who present with speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders following acquired brain injury, specifically strokes. She is part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team who provide therapy to inpatients and outpatients, whose goal is to maximize patients’ abilities.
At Family Speech clinic, Melissa earned experience with therapy related to early communication, language, literacy and articulation. She was also a part of facilitating multiple Social Skills groups for children of varying ages and abilities. Melissa is thrilled to be a part of the team at Aurora Speech Clinic!
Megan Swim
Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA)
Megan obtained a Bachelor of Applied Science with an Undergraduate Degree in Child Youth and Family from the University of Guelph, a Graduate Certificate in Speech and Language Sciences from Brock University, as well as her Communicative Disorders Assistant Graduate Certificate from Georgian College.
Megan is well versed in working with children and adults of all skill levels in a variety of settings, including: an academic tutor, swim instructor, and piano teacher. With experience with in-home speech and language therapy, private practice, and the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Megan has gained experience with providing therapy treatments related to early language, articulation, literacy, and language for children of varying ages and abilities. Megan is very passionate about working with children and their families to reach their individual goals. Megan also has experience providing treatment for adults with developmental disabilities through Sensory Communication Programs and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) programs.
Megan is excited to be part of the team at Aurora Speech Clinic! Megan has loved the move to Aurora and looks forward to providing speech and language therapy to children and their families to support their communication goals.