Meet Our Founders​

CARLA MONTELEONE M.SLP., RSLP – SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Carla Monteleone is one of the directors and co-owners of Grow Speech & Language Therapy. Carla received her Master of Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Alberta. She has worked in a variety of settings with diverse populations, including preschool-aged children in public health, school-aged children in the North Vancouver School District, and individuals of all ages in private practice. Carla is a member of the College Health and Care Professionals of BC and is certified by Speech and Audiology Canada. She is also on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP).
As an adjunct professor at the School of Speech Sciences and Audiology at UBC, Carla teaches the Fluency Disorders class. She is also a clinical instructor at UBC and enjoys providing mentorship to future SLPs.
Carla has worked with children facing a wide range of speech and language disorders, including developmental language disorders and social language delays. She also has extensive experience supporting children with learning disabilities, executive functioning challenges, and selective mutism. Her special interests include motor speech disorders such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech and fluency disorders. Carla is recognized by Apraxia Kids for Advanced Training and Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and she has a European Clinical Specialization in Fluency Disorders.
Carla has attended multiple workshops in Social Thinking by Michelle Garcia Winner and Executive Functioning Skills by Sarah Ward. She is also trained in PROMPT, the Hanen Program, the Lidcombe Program, Palin Parent Child Interaction, Meaningful Speech, and RESTART Demands and Capacities. Carla is also trained in LSVT LOUD for kids, an intensive, neuroplasticity-based treatment designed to address vocal loudness, articulation, and intelligibility, and to support children with motor speech and communication disorders. She continues to expand her knowledge in the area of oromyo-functional disorders.
Carla is excited to be partnering with her long-time friend, Deborah Carter, and to continue working with the Steps BC multidisciplinary team. She takes a family-centered approach to providing therapy that is individualized, fun, and strengths-based. 

DEBORAH CARTER, M.SC., RSLP – SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Deborah Carter is a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist and one of the co-directors of Grow Speech & Language Therapy. She holds a Master of Speech and Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia and has over 20 years of experience supporting children and youth across the Fraser Region, Delta, and Burnaby. Deborah is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and is certified by Speech & Audiology Canada (https://www.sac-oac.ca/). She is also listed on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (https://www.actcommunity.ca/rasp/).
Deborah has worked in community health, school districts, and private practice, providing assessment and intervention for children with a wide range of communication needs. She regularly presents professional development workshops for school districts and has lectured on fluency disorders at the University of British Columbia (https://www.ubc.ca/). She also collaborates closely with teachers, educational assistants, and UBC SLP graduate students through mentorship and clinical instruction.
Her clinical expertise includes Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social Communication challenges, Executive Functioning, Language-Based Learning Disabilities, Fluency Disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), Speech Sound and Phonological Disorders, Developmental Language Delay, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Deborah has completed extensive advanced training to support her work in these areas, including Social Thinking (https://www.socialthinking.com/), Executive Functioning Skills by Sarah Ward, the Hanen Program, the Lidcombe Program, Meaningful Speech, PROMPT (https://promptinstitute.com/), and fluency training through the Stuttering Foundation of America (https://www.stutteringhelp.org/). She has also completed advanced, in‑person training in the assessment and treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech focused on evidence‑based practice and hands‑on clinical decision-making, as well as training in JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation), a naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention model.
Deborah’s passion for language, voice, and working with children inspired her path into speech-language pathology. Outside of clinical practice, she has performed as a vocalist in local professional bands for more than 25 years and is fluent in both French and Hungarian. Known for her warmth and collaborative spirit, Deborah is committed to building strong relationships with families and teams. She strives to empower parents and caregivers with the tools and confidence they need to support their child’s communication, connection, and overall well-being.

Meet the team

ALEXANDRA DUNN, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
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Alex has an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University. She also completed a Master of Clinical Science in Communicative Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) from the University of Western Ontario.
Alex believes that everyone has something to teach and something to learn from one another, and that learning should be a fun and enjoyable experience for all involved. She has extensive experience supporting children from birth to 18 years of age in the areas of articulation, language, literacy, augmentative and alternative communication, and more. Alex has supported clients in a school board environment for over 28 years.
She has presented at over 90 national and international events, sharing research related to the use of technology (including SMART Technology, iPads, and Assistive Technology) and its application within a Universal Design for Learning toolkit to ensure all students achieve meaningful academic and social participation. Alex was named SMART Technologies Exemplary Educator of the Year for Canada and received the prestigious C21 Shifting Minds National Individual Award for leadership in 21st Century Learning and Innovation, presented by the Right Honorable Paul Martin.
Alex is also a certified Hanen It Takes Two to Talk trainer.
She is fluent in English and French.

ALI VICKERS, M.SC. RSLP – SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Ali is a registered Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), and a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia. She completed her Speech-Language Pathology Masters degree at UBC’s School of Audiology and Speech Sciences.
Prior to her career as an SLP, Ali’s experience spans preschool, elementary, and high school settings, where she worked with children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Throughout her graduate studies, she gained unique experiences supporting children who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, infants in the NICU, head and neck cancer patients, and adults with neurodegenerative and acquired language disorders. In addition, her experience supporting children with motor speech disorders, developmental language disorders (DLD), and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users, has fueled her passion for the diverse field of Speech Pathology.
Committed to evidence-based practices, Ali employs a neurodivergent‑affirming and trauma‑informed approach, creating a safe and engaging environment where her clients can express themselves through any modality. She places a high value on building trusting and authentic relationships with her clients and their families, utilizing family‑centered and strengths‑based approaches to develop functional and meaningful goals tailored to each individual’s unique needs. In her personal life, Ali enjoys spending weekends in the mountains hiking and backcountry camping, as well as teaching yoga classes in her community, integrating her love of nature and mindfulness into her professional practice.

ALISON QUIRING, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Alison graduated from the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences with a Master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology. She is a member of the https://cshbc.ca/ and https://www.sac-oac.ca/. She is passionate about helping individuals connect with their family, friends, and communities while advocating for accessibility in all areas of life.
Alison values evidence‑based practices, cultural safety, and neurodiversity‑affirming approaches. She has experience working with children and teens with autism and strongly believes in a family‑centered, play‑based, strengths‑focused model of care. She also has experience supporting children with phonological, motor speech, language, and articulation disorders.
Alison was a leader with https://education.ok.ubc.ca/educators/camp-connect/, where she learned about and communicated with children through Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). AAC has become a key area of interest for her, as she has seen how impactful robust communication systems can be for children with a wide range of diagnoses, delays, and disorders.
Alison has worked with children and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Prior to beginning her master’s degree, she spent a year working in a children’s home in Zimbabwe and later completed her final clinical placement at the https://www.vch.ca/en/service/aboriginal-head-start-preschool-program in East Vancouver.
In her free time, Alison enjoys reading, riding her bike, visiting the beach, trying new restaurants, and learning guitar.

ANDREW MARTIN, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Andrew completed his Master’s Degree in Speech‑Language Pathology from the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (https://audiospeech.ubc.ca/). He is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada (https://www.sac-oac.ca/).
Andrew has supported individuals with a wide range of communication needs in the areas of language, articulation and phonology, stuttering, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, voice, and social‑cognitive disorders. He has extensive experience working with autistic and neurodivergent children and youth. His time in daycare and school settings has strengthened his commitment to ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging.
Prior to becoming an SLP, Andrew brought his enthusiasm and patience to a variety of high‑energy environments - from kayak tours, to piano lessons, to summer camps. His love of books, stories, and art shines through in his sessions. He values a family‑centered, neurodiversity‑affirming approach that embraces all forms of diversity and is grounded in evidence‑based practice.
Andrew is honoured to be a part of the Grow team and is committed to fostering meaningful, long‑lasting change for the families he works with.

ANNIKA HAM, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Annika completed her Master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (https://audiospeech.ubc.ca/) and is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (https://cshbc.ca/) and Speech and Audiology Canada (https://www.sac-oac.ca/).
In her sessions, Annika emphasizes a tailored, neurodiversity‑affirming approach grounded in evidence‑based practices—while ensuring sessions are LOTS OF FUN! She has worked with clients of all ages across diverse settings, including private clinics, daycares, and schools.
Annika’s clinical interests include fluency, articulation/phonological disorders, motor speech disorders, executive functioning, social communication, developmental language disorder (DLD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Committed to lifelong learning, she actively participates in continuing education, collaborates closely with clients and families, and seeks mentorship to remain at the forefront of the SLP field.

ASHTYN DEBOICE, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Ashtyn graduated from the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (https://audiospeech.ubc.ca/) with a Master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology and is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (https://cshbc.ca/) and Speech and Audiology Canada (https://www.sac-oac.ca/).
Ashtyn has six years of experience supporting children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and other speech, language, and communication challenges. Her areas of interest also include speech‑sound and articulation disorders, motor speech disorders, fluency, social communication, and pragmatic language.
She has completed her Hanen – More Than Words certification (https://hanen.org/Programs/For-Parents/More-Than-Words) and is working toward her hours—under supervision—to become a Registered Autism Service Provider in BC (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/child-behaviour-development/supports-services/autism-spectrum-disorder/autism-service-provider-database). She also plans to complete her PROMPT training (https://promptinstitute.com/) within the year.
Ashtyn’s philosophy is built on the “3 P’s”: Play, Patience, and Persistence. She believes learning thrives in environments that feel safe, engaging, and—of course—fun. Ashtyn is deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from the wonderful team at Grow and to provide meaningful care for Grow children and their families.

AUDRA WILLIAMS, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Audra is a Speech‑Language Pathologist Assistant who is passionate about helping children build confidence and find their voices through connection and care. She studied Psychology and Anthropology at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, later completing her Speech‑Language Pathologist Assistant diploma at MacEwan University.
During her practicum, she supported children ages 3 to 16 with articulation goals and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), helping them expand their language and communication skills.
She believes in a total communication approach—embracing signs, gestures, verbal speech, and AAC—to empower each child with diverse tools for self‑expression and advocacy. Audra is dedicated to creating a safe, positive, and engaging environment where every child feels understood and supported.
Outside the clinic, you’ll often find Audra exploring the outdoors with her dog, Oscar, and her cat, Kevin, or trying out new recipes at home.

CHELSEA JANG, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Chelsea completed her Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology at the University of British Columbia. She is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada. With over five years of experience working with a variety of populations across different settings, she has developed a strong foundation in supporting individuals with diverse communication abilities.
Through clinical placements in early intervention and at Grow, Chelsea gained experience in a wide range of areas, including articulation, phonology, language, social communication, literacy, fluency, and AAC. She had the privilege of completing her final placement at Sunny Hill Health Centre, BC Children’s Hospital, where she gained experience in autism assessment and in working with clients with complex developmental and behavioural conditions. Chelsea also has an interest in supporting individuals with aphasia and cognitive‑communication disorders.
Chelsea values fun and functional sessions that foster meaningful connections. She is committed to family‑centered, neurodiversity‑affirming, and culturally sensitive practice that honours each individual’s unique strengths. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cycling, and spending time with her dog.

EMILIE RUSSO, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Emilie is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a degree in Speech Sciences. She is also completing coursework in psychology and special education as part of her well‑rounded academic program. Emilie plans to pursue a career in Speech‑Language Pathology.
She brings valuable experience from her roles as a leader in children’s summer camps and as a teaching assistant, which contribute to her work as a speech‑language pathology assistant at Grow. Emilie is dedicated to supporting children with communication needs and was an indispensable volunteer at Grow prior to joining the East Vancouver clinic as an SLPA. She builds wonderful rapport with young clients, engaging them meaningfully and supporting their skill development.
In her free time, Emilie loves listening to music and crocheting.

FIONA HUMBERT‑DROZ, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Fiona graduated with a Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia. She is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada. Fiona began developing her passions and skills in the field in 2012, when she started working with autistic children, youth, and their families.
Before pursuing her degree in Speech‑Language Pathology, Fiona spent six years in Toronto working as a child‑youth worker and providing services as a communicative disorders assistant (CDA) in community programs, homes, clinics, and schools. Her areas of interest include evidence‑based practices that support Gestalt Language Learners, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, and children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and motor speech disorders.
Fiona is currently working toward building her supervised hours to become a Registered Autism Service Provider in B.C. This year, she attended the Neurodiversity‑Affirming Practices workshop with autistic SLP Rachel Dorsey and is completing the Meaningful Speech course for training in natural language acquisition.
Fiona is committed to ongoing learning about neurodiversity‑affirming practices, honouring all communication styles, and maintaining a strengths‑based approach. She is passionate about working with culturally and linguistically diverse families. Growing up, she spent years living in various countries in Asia and Europe, giving her a deep appreciation for how communication values differ across cultures. Fiona prioritizes a family‑ and client‑centered approach and views relationships and trust as the heart of treatment success.
Fiona is thrilled to be part of the Grow team and to help provide care and support to our wonderful families. In her free time, she enjoys pitch and putt, exploring new cafés to satisfy her love of coffee, and going on walks with her dog, Goose.

KAITLYN MARTINSON, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Kaitlyn graduated with her Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology and is a member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada (https://www.sac-oac.ca/). She has gained experience practicing in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and a private practice in the Yukon.
Since then, Kaitlyn has been dedicated to working with children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other speech, language, and communication challenges. Her areas of interest also include Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), fluency, phonological awareness, narrative language, literacy, social communication, and motor speech disorders.
Kaitlyn is a Registered Autism Service Provider in BC. She has completed the Hanen – More Than Words program and is familiar with PROMPT principles and approaches.
A person‑centered approach is foundational to Kaitlyn’s work. She believes every client is different and requires individualized, personalized care to meet their unique needs and concerns. Kaitlyn enjoys working as part of a team of professionals at Grow and Steps BC to provide holistic, comprehensive care for children and their families.

KATRINA JENKINS, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Katrina Jenkins is a Speech‑Language Pathologist who was born and raised in North Vancouver. She completed her Master of Science in Speech Sciences and Audiology at the University of British Columbia and is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
Katrina has worked with preschool‑aged children in the public health sector for more than 10 years. She has had the privilege of supporting a wide range of speech and language needs, including early language delays, developmental language disorders, suspected or diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, phonological disorders, motor planning disorders, speech‑sound delays, and stuttering. Her areas of interest include articulation and phonology, childhood apraxia of speech, and early language delays.
She has also completed advanced, in‑person training in the assessment and treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech, focused on evidence‑based practice and hands‑on clinical decision‑making.
Katrina is certified in the Hanen More Than Words program and is currently deepening her knowledge of neurodiversity‑affirming practices and Natural Language Acquisition (Blanc, 2012).
In addition to being a Speech‑Language Pathologist, Katrina is a wife and mother of three young children (and one very large fur baby!). Family‑centered care is a core value for Katrina and is integrated into all aspects of her work.

KENNEDY LAIRD, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Bio in Progress.

KRISTA SALANKI, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Krista holds a Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology from UBC and undergraduate degrees in Cognitive Science of Language and Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University. She is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada.
In her sessions, Krista combines a neurodiversity‑affirming approach with evidence‑based practice. Her focus is to tailor services to meet the unique needs of clients and their families while fostering a fun and creative learning environment. She has worked with clients of all ages in diverse settings, including private clinics, daycares, schools, rehabilitation centres, and hospitals.
Krista’s clinical interests include gestalt language processing, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), developmental language disorders (DLD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and communication challenges associated with acquired brain injuries. She also has a keen interest in articulation, motor speech, phonological disorders, executive functioning, and social communication. Her past research examined the interaction between traumatic brain injury and social communication within the Centre for Advanced Research in Experimental and Applied Linguistics (ARiEAL) at McMaster University.
Committed to ongoing learning and development, Krista continually enhances her skills through continuing education, active engagement with clients and their families, and gaining clinical mentorship. In her free time, Krista enjoys creating music, caring for her houseplants, and exploring the great outdoors through activities like hiking and skiing.

LAURA KEITH, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Laura is a registered speech‑language pathologist with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. She completed a Master of Science from the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, as well as a Master’s in Linguistique et Didactique des Langues from the Université de Rennes 2 in France. She also holds a teaching credential from the UBC Faculty of Education in French Immersion elementary education.
Laura also works as a school‑based SLP and has extensive experience supporting school‑aged children. Her clinical interests include speech‑sound disorders, developmental language disorder, stuttering, literacy, and social communication. Laura takes a client‑ and family‑centered approach to speech therapy and believes that therapy should be individualized, engaging, fun, and evidence‑based.
Laura is honoured to work alongside the supportive and talented clinicians at Grow.

LAURA NEYESTANI, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Laura completed a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology at SFU, where she conducted research on social cognitive development, as well as a Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology at UBC. She is a member of the College of Health Care Professionals of BC.
Laura has experience working with preschoolers, school‑aged children, adolescents, and adults across a range of settings, including public health, schools, and private clinics. She supports children with speech‑sound disorders, language development—including expressive, receptive, and narrative skills—and social communication.
Her practice is neurodiversity‑affirming. Laura is passionate about all things speech‑ and language‑related, including singing, voice acting, and foreign languages, and she loves to play and read. She focuses on building strong connections with her clients and their families and on making sessions fun and engaging. Laura sees the best in every child and is honoured to be part of their developmental journey.

LAUREN CIRKO, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Lauren completed her Master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology from the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. She is a member of the College of Health Care Professionals of BC. Lauren has supported individuals in a variety of settings, including early intervention centres, schools, and adult rehabilitation centres.
Lauren enjoys working with clients of all ages who have a variety of communication needs in the areas of language, phonology, literacy, social communication, feeding, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She is passionate about providing family‑centred care and helping clients reach their communication goals in a fun and motivating environment.
In her free time, you may find her baking sweet treats, reading, and listening to all kinds of music.

MADELINE DAVEY, BSpPath (Hons I) ., Registered Speech-Language Pathologist (Conditional)

Madeline (Maddie) completed her Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of Queensland, Australia. Maddie has over ten years of experience working with children and adults with a range of disabilities in Australia. She is a registered Speech‑Language Pathologist with the Australian Speech‑Language Pathology regulatory body and is currently in the process of obtaining her Speech‑Language Pathology registration with the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (BC).
Her areas of interest include early intervention, supporting language development—including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)—and assisting children with feeding and mealtime challenges. Maddie is especially passionate about working with children with complex communication needs, helping them engage with the world around them and allowing their individual differences to shine.
Maddie is dedicated to providing evidence‑based, neurodiversity‑affirming supports for clients and their families. She values family‑centered practice and believes that collaborating with a child’s whole team is essential to helping clients achieve their goals.
Having recently relocated to Vancouver, Maddie is excited to be part of the Grow team, supporting children and their families to reach their goals while having fun along the way. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors—mountain biking, climbing, sailing, or hiking.

MAËLLE LE RUDULIER, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Maëlle is a bilingual (English and French) Speech‑Language Pathologist who received her Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology from the University of British Columbia. She holds a linguistics degree and a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate from Simon Fraser University. She is a member of the College of Health Care Professionals of BC. Prior to earning her degree, she spent over a decade working with children in diverse settings. Her roles included working as a tutor, theatre teacher, children’s camp manager, and academic support specialist.
Maëlle has extensive experience working with autistic children and is passionate about supporting children from all backgrounds with diverse communication needs. Her other interests include motor speech disorders such as childhood apraxia of speech, stuttering, and developmental language disorder. Maëlle believes in providing therapy that is fun, engaging, and family‑centered to build strong relationships and support the best outcomes for her clients.
She has completed professional development courses in SCERTS and DIR/Floortime and is soon to complete the Hanen More Than Words program. Outside of her work, Maëlle is an avid reader and enjoys taking long walks by the water or in the forest and listening to a variety of engaging podcasts.

NICOLE EBBUTT, M.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Nicole completed her Master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences and is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada. Her primary clinical interests include working with preschool and school‑aged children, as well as young adults, with a focus on expressive and receptive language, narrative skills, early language development, emotional regulation, and self‑advocacy.
She has experience supporting preschool and school‑aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), speech‑sound differences, and developmental language disorders. Her practicum experience includes working in schools, child development centres, and Nurture Learning and Development, where she gained knowledge of the JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, and Emotional Regulation) approach.
As an Autistic and multiply‑disabled adult, Nicole is deeply passionate about serving the neurodivergent community. She recognizes the importance of communicative‑skills development and advocates for neurodiversity‑affirming therapy methods. Nicole regularly attends trainings and talks aimed at improving SLP services and increasing community accessibility for Autistic youth and adults.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading and taking walks around her neighbourhood, saying hi to all the animals she meets along the way.

OLIVIA ELLARD, MSc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Olivia completed her bachelor’s degree in Speech Sciences, followed by her master’s degree in Speech‑Language Pathology at the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. She is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC and Speech and Audiology Canada.
Olivia has experience working with children and adolescents with a wide range of communication needs, including fluency, motor speech, articulation, language, literacy, early language development, and developmental language disorder (DLD). Olivia is a certified Lidcombe provider, a program for children who stutter who are younger than six years old. She is also a PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets)‑trained clinician—an approach used for motor speech disorders such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech.
Additionally, Olivia has completed It Takes Two to Talk® training and has also completed RESTART fluency training, a parent‑guided approach for supporting young children who stutter.
Olivia is a clinical instructor at the School of Speech Sciences and Audiology at UBC, where she works as a Teaching Assistant for the Fluency Disorders course.
Olivia is motivated by her clients’ earnest desire to communicate. She is passionate about helping her clients reach their potential and achieve their communication goals through therapy that is individualized, fun, and functional. In her free time, Olivia enjoys staying active and can be found skiing in the winter and playing tennis in the summer. She is an avid foodie and loves trying new restaurants. Olivia enjoys being part of the Grow team and providing a family‑centered model of care to the clients and families she supports.

REZWAN KARIMI, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Rezwan is a Speech‑Language Pathology Assistant at Grow. She completed a Bachelor of English Teaching at a university in her home country and spent five years as a classroom teacher before moving to Canada. She is fluent in Farsi, Kurdish, and English. Rezwan earned a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate from Simon Fraser University.
Rezwan has over 15 years of experience working with children in preschool and school settings. She worked as a Behavioural Interventionist for three years, supporting autistic children of all ages to develop speech sounds, language, executive functions, and social communication. Rezwan has further strengthened her teaching practice through seven years as an Education Assistant, supporting children with diverse abilities and needs in local school districts.
Rezwan is enthusiastic about being part of the Grow team. She is eager to contribute her knowledge and experience to her work with children and families at Grow. Rezwan is always well prepared and makes therapy fun, engaging, and personalized for her young clients. She is also looking forward to continuing her education in the areas of Linguistics and Speech Sciences.
In her free time, Rezwan enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time outdoors going on nature walks, hiking, and camping.

SAMANTHA GRYZ, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Samantha has worked as a Speech‑Language Pathology Assistant at Grow since 2022. She holds a B.A. in International Development, a Certificate in the Linguistics of Speech Science, and is currently completing a Special Education Diploma.
Samantha is now studying to become a Speech‑Language Pathologist in the master’s program at the University of Alberta. She looks forward to returning to Grow as an SLP after completing her degree!
She is passionate about Total Communication, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and evidence‑based, inclusive care. When she’s not studying, she loves doing yoga, reading sci‑fi, and cooking.

SARAH CARTER, M.Sc., CCC‑SLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Sarah completed her bachelor’s degree in biomedical studies and psychology from UNBC, and her master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Alberta in 2017. Having worked in a variety of settings, including in early intervention and in the school district, she has extensive experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, including partnerships with occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, psychologists, and educators.
Sarah is a member of the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, is certified by Speech and Audiology Canada, and is on the Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP). She specializes in early language, play, and cognition; augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); working with neurodivergent children; developmental language disorders (DLD); literacy; motor speech; and speech‑sound disorders. She takes a play‑based approach and is known for having “the best games”—earning her the moniker “The Toy Doctor” from previous clients. In her spare time, Sarah loves hiking, camping, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and spending time with her ragdoll cat and miniature doodle: Tom (Selleck) and Finnley.

SHANNON DI IORIO, B.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Shannon received her Master of Science in Speech‑Language Pathology from the University of Alberta in 2007. She is a registered SLP with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and is a member of Speech and Audiology Canada. She has experience in many settings, including public health with the 0–5 population, inpatient and outpatient services, and community rehabilitation for adults with acquired brain injuries, as well as acute care.
Shannon values client‑ and family‑centered care and prioritizes functional goals that lead to meaningful changes in day‑to‑day communication. She is committed to neurodiversity‑affirming practice and regularly pursues continuing education to stay current with evidence‑based approaches.
As a mother of two, Shannon understands how busy family life can be. She designs carryover activities that are realistic within the home environment and support positive parent‑child interactions. Her areas of particular interest include acquired communication disorders (e.g., aphasia, dysarthria), voice, and developmental language and speech disorders or delays.
When she isn’t working, you might find Shannon at her children’s activities, reading, playing tennis, or singing in Mom Choir!

SOPHIA VALSAMIS, SLPA – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Sophia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Sciences from UBC. She has over seven years of experience working with children and vulnerable populations in a variety of settings. Her journey began as a program coordinator at an after‑school care program, and she is currently working as a behavioural interventionist. Sophia also brings valuable volunteer experience supporting individuals with aphasia.
She has a particular interest in social communication and is passionate about helping individuals build meaningful, functional connections through communication. Sophia values the profound impact that intervention can have, not only on a child’s development, but on the lives of their families as well. This belief is at the heart of her work, where she strives to create supportive, empowering environments for every child and family she works with.
In her free time, Sophia loves exploring new restaurants around the city and enjoying good ski sessions during the winter months!

TeNLI PettY, ​B.Sc., RSLP – SPEECH‑LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Tenli earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pacific University in Oregon. She is a registered member of the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC) and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC‑SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Tenli has worked in educational, medical, and clinical settings across Oregon and British Columbia, supporting individuals with a broad range of communication needs. Her experience includes working with individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She also has expertise in supporting motor speech, fluency, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) needs. In addition, Tenli is a supervised provider on British Columbia’s Registry of Autism Service Providers (RASP).
Tenli is passionate about providing client‑centered, neurodiversity‑affirming care and values evidence‑based practice. She is committed to staying current with emerging research and continually advancing her skills to best serve her clients. Her clinical interests include early language development, articulation and phonology, narrative language, and fluency. She values collaboration and connection, creating therapy sessions that are playful, engaging, and tailored to each child’s unique strengths and interests.
Outside the clinic, Tenli enjoys hiking with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Henry, as well as running, biking, and spending time in nature.