Meet your speech pathologist

We have exciting news over at Grow! Two new clinicians have come on board this month and are ready to bring the fun in speech and language learning. Currently they're only on Fridays, but they'll be expanding in the future. So if you're looking for an SLP, now is the time! For the first time in awhile, Grow doesn't have a waitlist.

​So, without further ado, let's meet our first new SLP on the staff, Ashley Debrouwere!

Where did you go to school and how long have you been practicing?
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in linguistics and psychology.  From there, I went on to complete my Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead.  I have been practicing for about four years now, and have been enjoying every minute of it! After graduating, I worked for a private practice in North Dakota, and then moved back home to Winnipeg to work in the public sector at a hospital, serving mostly preschool aged clients.  Now that I have moved to Vancouver, I am working both in a school, and part-time with Grow. 

What made you decide to become an SLP?
I always knew I wanted a career where I would be able to help people, and also allow me to pursue my passion of language, and communication.  I have always been fascinated with how language allows us to connect with each other in such a meaningful, and profound way. Both my parents worked in the medical field, and knowing me as well as they do, encouraged me to spend time shadowing some of the SLPs at the hospital where they worked.  I quickly discovered speech-language pathology was the perfect fit for me. 
 
What is your favorite thing to work on in therapy?
I really enjoy working with preschool aged children, targeting social emotional development, and early language skills.  I love seeing how a child’s mind works, and exploring new skills with them as they learn, and we practice together. I find working with families very rewarding, so providing parent education and counseling is another part of working with this population I really enjoy. 
 
What is your fovorite thing about being an SLP?
The best thing about my job is that I get to help children be their best selves!  I find it extremely rewarding to be able to work with a child and his/her family, build strong relationships with them, and help them reach their goals.  There is nothing better than watching a child make positive steps towards his/her goals, and feeling so proud of them for everything they have accomplished. 
 
What is an area you'd like to learn more about?
I would love to learn more about literacy, and reading therapy for children.  This is a skill that many children struggle with, and one that I am only just starting to gain experience in.
 
What do you like to do when you aren't helping kids improve their communication skills?
I just recently moved to Vancouver from the prairies, and I am having so much fun exploring all that the city has to offer.  New hiking trails, restaurants, festivals - I even went downhill skiing for the first time recently, and had a blast! Other activities I enjoy include learning new languages, and exercising my “creativity muscles”.  I have been studying both Spanish, and ASL for the last few years back home in Winnipeg, and would really like to get back into that here in Vancouver. I enjoy expressing myself through creative outlets, so I spend my free downtime journaling, knitting, or trying new recipes from cookbooks.