Yvonne M. Oliveira
M.Cl.Sc., SLP(C), Aud. LSLS Cert. AVT ®
Reg. CASLPO

Owner, & Director
Speech-Language Pathologist
Audiologist
Auditory-Verbal Therapist

Yvonne is a dually certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist, registered with both designations with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Having completed her undergraduate degree in the areas of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at California State University, Chico. She then proceeded to complete both the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Masters degrees concurrently at the University of Western Ontario where she graduated in 1998 (SLP) and 1999 (Aud.). She spent a number of years working in the educational setting within a specialized hearing-impaired program which facilitated the use of Auditory-Verbal therapy.  

She has taught both college and university-level audiology courses for the Communicative Disorders Program at Durham College in Oshawa as well as being an adjunct professor at McMaster University Speech-Language Pathology graduate program. 

Yvonne has developed a niche in assessing and developing multi-disciplinary programming associated with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) as it relates to phonemic awareness and literacy, as well as its impact on speech and language development. Her research in areas of listening, literacy and language have allowed her to offer comprehensive intervention options to enhance learning in clients with dyslexia, attention deficit (ADHD/ADD) and learning disabilities. Her unique set of qualifications facilitate growth and development at all ages and stages of life based on the wide array of strategies she uses for assessment and intervention.

 During the global pandemic, Yvonne relocated the HearSay office and build out an all-encompassing rehab and wellness centre that brought a wide array of rehab professionals together under one roof.  The ability to collaborate as a full team of professionals enables the centre to develop a ‘road map’ for parents and families based on those elements needed to reach their full learning and communication potential. 

In 2023 she also opened 2 other satellite locations to offer speech services in underserviced communities – Stoney Creek and Cambridge. Her plan is to partner with other professionals to continue to offer speech, language, literacy and auditory processing services across Ontario.

Rui graduated from the Audiology Program at Western University with a Masters of Clinical Science degree and is a registered audiologist with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). He is also a certified member with Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC).

He gained valuable experience with children, adults and seniors while working in a hospital, a long-term care facility, as well as with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist in the Halton Region. Rui continues to provide audiological services such as hearing assessments, hearing aid evaluations, prescriptions, fittings, programming, and individual counselling while following best practice guidelines.

He believes in a client-focused approach when it comes to providing health care. Every client’s concerns, needs, personal preferences and budgets are different. His goal is to educate you regarding your hearing health, address your concerns, and discuss all available solutions. Technology alone doesn’t help people hear better—it is with his patience, encouragement, guidance, and use of best practices that he will achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.

In his spare time, Rui enjoys movies, and outdoor activities such as biking/cycling, hiking, and kayaking.

Rui provides hearing services in both English and Portuguese.

“I treat my patients with the kindness and care that I expect when I am a patient.

Deema Ikbarieh
M.Sc., Aud (C), Reg. CASLPO
Audiologist

Deema is an audiologist at HearSay (Milton). She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) as well as a certified member of the Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) organization. Deema graduated from Salus University in Pennsylvania with Master of science in Audiology. She has specialized training in cochlear implant and vestibular and balance assessment which allowed her to enhance her clinical skills in assessing and managing vestibular and balance problems across all ages.

Deema has experience with pediatric and adult hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting and vestibular assessment. She provides (services) to all ages.

Deema speaks both English and Arabic languages.

In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor walking and reading.

Alysia completed an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. She then graduated from the Hearing Instrument Specialist program at Conestoga College in 2014 and has been helping people improve their hearing ever since. She has worked in other clinics in Ontario but is happy to now call Milton home with her husband and son.  

She specializes in helping adults of all ages regain the sounds of life and achieve hearing success in social situations. She will make sure you feel comfortable with every part of the hearing test and help you understand your hearing loss. Her technical knowledge of hearing aids allows her to select and adjust them according to your individual needs. Her work for the day is never done until she has done everything she can to help improve the lives and hearing of her clients. 

Apart from work she enjoys board games, curling, and exploring the Niagara escarpment. 

Alysia Cutting
B.Sc., HIS, Reg. AHIP
Hearing Instrument Specialist

Stephanie Strahm
M.Sc., Aud. (C), Reg. CASLPO
Audiologist

Stephanie is an audiologist  at HearSay (Milton). She is registered with CASLPO. She graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BA and MA in Linguistics before obtaining her M.Sc. in Audiology at the University of British Columbia in 2019. Stephanie has training in providing hearing assessments and amplification including auditory processing disorders and provision of low-gain hearing aids.

Stephanie has experience working in pediatric centres in Manitoba and Ontario as well as previous work in First Nations communities. She is experienced in assessing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Stephanie provides audiology services to all ages with an interest in pediatric populations.

Stephanie speaks English.

In her spare time Stephanie enjoys hiking around the escarpment.

Tina graduated from the University of Western Ontario alongside Yvonne in 1998. She is registered and certified through the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) and is a member in good standing of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Tina spent over 23 years in the provincial preschool speech and language system, working with children with a wide variety of developmental and communication difficulties in clinical and childcare settings. Tina also spent several years working in group homes and day programs for adults, providing consultation to families and staff around communication, learning and using AAC, and supporting interactions between family members, staff, and residents.  

Tina has learned much about neurodiversity in the past few years, and endeavors to provide neurodiversity-affirming therapy for her clients. Tina values and is guided by the lived experience and expertise of the neurodivergent community. 

Tina has training in Auditory Verbal Practice, DIR/Floortime®, and all Hanen Parent Programs and Programs for Early Childhood Educators including It Takes Two To Talk®, More than Words®, Learning Language and Loving It^TM, Target Word^TM, ABC and Beyond^TM, TalkAbility^TM, and I’m Ready^TM.   

From 2007 to 2017, Tina worked with a team to coordinate an annual literacy conference for early childhood educators. She is passionate about emergent literacy and spearheaded a program to provide books and information about emergent literacy to parents of newborns at a rural hospital.  

Tina enjoys canoeing and camping with her husband and two sons. She dabbles in pottery and sewing and can often be found with her nose in an enjoyable book. 

Tina Gute Bowering
B.Sc. (Hons.), M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist

Leen Al-Fayez
B.A. (H), M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist

Leen Al-Fayez is a Speech-Language Pathologist at HearSay (Milton). She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Leen graduated from the University of Toronto with a Masters of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

She is PROMPT trained to support client with motor speech concerns. As well, she was trained at ISTAR (Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research) in Edmonton with the University of Alberta to support fluency management in children who stutter aged 12-18. She also has experience working with AAC communicators, Gestalt Language Processors, and children with expressive and receptive language difficulties. Leen provides speech and language assessments and therapy to children of all ages.

Leen speaks English, and Arabic.

In her spare time, she enjoys Dragon Boat Paddling and Calligraphy.

Ramya Thangavel is a Speech-Language Pathologist at HearSay (Milton). She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Ramya graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. 

She has training with articulation, motor speech, and fluency disorders. She also has experience working with expressive and receptive language difficulties. Ramya provides speech and language assessments and therapy to children of all ages. 

Ramya speaks Tamil, English and French.  

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and classical dancing. 

Ramya Thangavel
B.A. (H), M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist

Hiba Guddusi
M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist

Hiba is a Speech-Language Pathologist at HearSay (Milton). She is registered with CASLPO and graduated from McMaster University with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

Hiba has experience working with fluency, motor speech difficulties, articulation, expressive and receptive language disorders, literacy, and autistic children. She provides services mostly to pediatric populations.

Hiba speaks both English and Urdu fluently.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, painting, and digital art.

Tammy is a dynamic speech-language pathologist who is dedicated to providing fun and functional intervention to her clients and their families. She believes strongly in a team approach to intervention. She has been practicing for over 24 years in pediatric speech-language pathology. She has a special interest in working with school-aged children, although she enjoys working with children of all ages. Tammy has a range of work experiences, and has worked in a pediatric hospital setting, a preschool speech and language program, school board speech and language services, and in private practices.

Tammy has a special interest in working in peer mediated intervention. She has trained school board SLPs across Ontario, along with researchers, in the principles of a special classroom-based program, Stay Play and Talk. This is a program that teaches teachers how to prompt peers to more effectively engage with students who have social communication challenges.

Tammy obtained a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Child Studies from the University of Guelph and a Masters in Communicative Disorders and Sciences from the University of Western Ontario. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).

Tammy VanReenen
B.A.Sc. (Honours), M.Cl. Sc., reg. CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist

Melissa Trueman
B.HSc. (Specialization in Rehabilitation Sciences), M.Sc.(A). (Communication Disorders)., Reg. CALSPO
Speech Language Pathologist

Melissa is a Speech-Language Pathologist at HearSay at both the Milton and Stoney Creek locations. She is registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CALSPO) and a member of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Melissa first graduated from her Bachelor of Health Sciences from the university of Western Ontario and completed her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology at McGill in Montreal.

Melissa has always been passionate about serving the hard of hearing community. Melissa previously worked at a rehabilitation centre in the heart of Montreal working in Aural Rehabilitation with the pediatric population. During her time there, she provided Intensive Functional Rehabilitation (IFR) post Cochlear Implant surgery to children 0-7 years old as well as language stimulation programs for infants recently diagnosed with a hearing loss. Melissa also has experience working with receptive and expressive language disorders, articulation, and motor speech disorders in the context of a hearing loss. Melissa is specialized to provide services to children of all ages with hearing loss but is well equipped to work with typically hearing children as well.

Melissa is fluent in both English and French and can provide assessment and therapy in both those languages. Melissa also has training in the It Takes Two To Talk® Hanen Parent Program. Melissa is dedicated to client centered care and is extremely passionate about parent coaching as a major part of a child’s therapy journey. In her free time Melissa enjoys training at the gym, spending time with friends and family and finding a new reality show to binge watch.

Rejoice is a new Master’s Graduate at HearSay (Milton). She is pursuing regis-tration with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Rejoice completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics with a minor in Classical Voice Performance at York University. She then completed her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology
at McMaster University.

Rejoice has experience with paediatric clients who have challenges in articulation, motor speech, literacy, and/or expressive and receptive language.

She has provided assessments, therapies and other professional services for infants, toddlers and children.

Rejoice speaks English and understands Tagalog and French.

In her spare time, she enjoys singing in choirs, baking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Rejoice Laboriante
M.Sc.
Speech and Language Services

Michelle Baum
B.A., CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Michelle is a Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) graduate from St. Lawrence College, with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph. She has also pursued additional training in both literacy instruction and cognitive development intervention.

Michelle completed her training in literacy through the Orton Gillingham Academy having completed her study at the Applied Level. With this specialized training, she addresses literacy concerns in a multisensory and prescriptive manner, through practices based on the best evidence in the field. Michelle has had many years experience with literacy instruction, and now further supports clients of all ages and ability using the most recognized methodology, worldwide. With her additional training in Processing and Cognitive Enhancement [PACE] Michelle helps clients improve their attention, working memory, processing speed, auditory processing, visual processing, logic and reasoning, and long- term memory. The PACE program targets and trains
the various processing skills required in learning, addressing the underlying factors impeding a child’s progress by building those necessary fundamental learning skills.

As a CDA, Michelle is dedicated to helping clients overcome barriers in communication and learning. She has experience working on a variety of communication needs, including Autism, Dyslexia, social communication, language skills, articulation, and specializes in literacy and PACE. In addition, Michelle is also experienced in teaching Augmentative Communication through apps like Speak for Yourself AAC. She enjoys working with clients of all ages to help them meet their communication and literacy goals.

Michelle speaks both English and French and can offer services in both languages.

Riem is a Communicative Disorders Assistant at Hearsay Milton. She is registered with Speech Language and Audiology Canada (SAC). Riem has a B.Sc in speech language pathology, and post-graduate degree from Durham College with an honour. 

She has experience with articulation disorders, oral motor, social communication, individuals with expressive and receptive language disorders. Riem carries a special interest in the area of fluency disorders. Provides services to both adults and pediatric clients.

Riem speaks Arabic and English and can conduct therapy in both languages.

In her spare time, Riem enjoys cooking and working out.

Riem Albash
CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Julia Rusin
B.A., CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Julia is a Communicative Disorders Assistant at HearSay in Milton. She is registered with the Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada (CDAAC).

She graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Cognitive Science of Language and completed the CDA graduate certificate program at Durham College. 

Julia has training in Gestalt Language Development with Meaningful Speech providing therapy for Gestalt Language Processors/Natural Language Acquisition. She also has experience with Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) systems. She provides services to children with articulation difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and speech and language delays. 

Julia speaks English, Polish and is a beginner in ASL.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing the ukelele and walking her dog. 

Magda completed her graduate degree from Georgian College as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. 

She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with honours) and a minor in music. She continued her education at Centennial College graduating with a certificate in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion.  She previously worked for a non profit agency helping adults and seniors receive community services. 

Magda was inspired to pursue communicative disorders as it combines her passion for helping others with listening skills developed through her interest in music and linguistics. She has clinical experience as a Communicative Disorders Assistant under the supervision of SLPs working with children who came to the clinics to get help with articulation, language development and AAC, and with adults with aphasia and apraxia. 

During her free time she enjoys singing, and taking walks with her dog.

Magdalena Rusiniak
B.A., CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Danika Marquez
B.A., CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Danika graduated from McMaster University with a bachelor’s in Cognitive Sciences of Language in 2021 and has completed her graduate degree through Georgian College under the Communicative Assistant Disorder Program. She has previous experience as an ESL teacher and tutor of all ages, instructing in both English and French. She paints and creates music with local musicians in her free time. 

Thea has a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University and most recently completed the Communicative Disorders Assistant graduate program at Georgian College. Thea has experience working with the pediatric population as well as neurodivergent individuals in areas such as: articulation, social communication, literacy and early language to name a few. Thea is excited to share her passion of speech and language with those she is fortunate enough to work with.

Apart from work she loves reading, golf, and trying new foods. 

Thea Worona
B.A., CDA
Communicative Disorders Assistant

Jasmi Ravendran
Speech & Language Services
Literacy Services

Jasmi is a 4^th year student at the University of Waterloo in the Health Science program. She is working towards pursuing her Masters in Speech Language Pathology. She has previous experience working and volunteering with children in articulation, fluency, reading, auditory processing disorder, and literacy. Jasmi has been a part of various social groups for children on the spectrum as well as literacy groups. She is passionate and dedicated towards aiding clients and their families reach their goals.

During her free time, she loves to paint, read, or do mini pottery!

Lisa has the goal of seeing the end of learning disabilities in her lifetime.  Learning disabilities (including Dyslexia and ADHD) and learning challenges do not need to exist because the lacking cognitive skills can be trained.

For children it results in a lack of self esteem and the inability to gain the knowledge that is the primary purpose of going to school. It frequently causes friction within the family when the child does not complete homework and fights about going to school. Children usually either withdraw or rebel in response to the constant pressure placed upon them, both at home and in school.

As an adult, it means an inability to succeed in occupational training programs resulting in a life of dead-end jobs. For many adults learning challenges result in an inability to learn new skills in college or on-the-job. They are more challenged when responding to an ever-changing job market and so are frequently under-employed.

Lisa is dedicated to helping others succeed. She achieves this by keeping informed of the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field of neuroplasticity (brain changing methods) as used in autism, cognitive deficits and disabilities. Lisa believes in keeping abreast of the best methods available in order to provide clientele with the highest standards in programming and goal setting. Lisa is highly trained in the Fast ForWord program that helps building auditory processing skills, phonemic awareness, memory, and literacy skills.

James is an Ontario Certified Teacher qualified in elementary and primary grade levels. He is a dedicated professional educator with a solid commitment to the academic, physical and social development of students and clients at HearSay. He works collaboratively with his colleagues, the HearSay team, clients and the families and parents he supports. James develops individual hands-on lessons that capture his clients’ imagination and breed success. He ensures that every client’s learning styles and abilities are addressed in an interactive and informative manner.

James demonstrates a strong dedication to teaching coupled with a keen interest in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle within the teaching environment. He is committed to improving children’s educational experiences and continuously strives to lead by example. James has a passion for teaching paired with high expectations for both student learning and success. 

With the goal of advancing the literacy programming that HearSay has been offering for the past 20 years, James brings with him new approaches and a fresh set of eyes to incorporate strategies for overall language and literacy development that the HearSay clientele have come to expect.

Dana Cohen joins HearSay as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (Cert. AVT), specializing in supporting the listening, speech and language needs of infants and children who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Dana completed a joint undergraduate degree in Psychology and Education (BA/BEd). She subsequently completed a post-graduate diploma in Deaf Education through the Ministry of Education (Dipl. Deaf Ed), and a Master’s of Education in Language and Learning Disabilities, with a specialization in Deafness (MEd). She is registered with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and holds additional certification from the AG Bell Academy of Listening and Spoken Language, as a Listening and Language Specialist, Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist (LSLS Cert. AVT).

Over the past 37 years, Dana has worked as an educator, consultant, therapist and mentor supporting infants, children, teens and adults who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and their families. She has worked in the public and private school systems, as well as in clinical and home visiting settings. She has volunteered with several organizations contributing through advocacy, parent guidance, early intervention services, publications, mentorship and guest lectures.

Dana supports the belief that all children can learn, provided they have access to high quality early intervention services. Her approach is nurturing, collaborative and family centered. Dana uses an evidence-based coaching and guidance model (LSLS-AVT) to empower parents to support their child’s development of spoken language through listening. Her sessions also support the development of literacy, school readiness, and curriculum support.

In her spare time, Dana enjoys fitness, wilderness canoeing & camping, hiking, travel and reading.

Dana Cohen
B.A./B.Ed., Dipl. Deaf Ed., M.Ed., LSLSL Cert. AVT®
Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT)
Auditory-Verbal Therapist

Julia has been a resident of Milton for many years.  Prior to joining HearSay Speech and Hearing Centre she worked for a large retail company in Customer Service and Administrative roles.  She is a friendly and knowledgeable face in the office who has established rapport with our audiology clientele. Our clients have come to know Julia for the years she has been at the frontline ensuring appointments are booked and clients receive their equipment and audiology support.

She is a proud parent of two children and 2 grandchildren.  Julia is an active member of the Halton Agricultural Society. 

Julia Snow
Clinical Administrator – Audiology

Kim Goodman
Clinical Administrator – Speech

For over 20 years, Kim has been a customer experience expert whose integrity, personability and overall professionalism is evident when speaking with her at HearSay. Kim is the main point of contact between clients and our clinicians in our Speech & Language Department. When not keeping busy at HearSay, you can find Kim spending time with her loved ones, watching the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Blue Jays or out hiking to take in the beautiful surroundings that Milton has to offer.

Kim will be on mat-leave starting September 2023.

Maya joined the HearSay team in September 2022 but has grown up in the the HearSay office all her life. As the daughter of the owners, she has been immersed in the workings of the business and has filled in at front desk even during her days of high school.

Maya is a friendly face at both the speech and audiology front desks as well as playing a huge role in backend finance, bookkeeping, and tracking of our clientele.

When she is not working she enjoys baking and has received many accolades on her phenomenal baking and cake decorating talents. She runs her own baking business on the side which she has appropriately named Wicked Good Sweets.

Maya Oliveira
Clinical Administrator & Bookkeeper

Tracy Gaetan
B.Sc., ECE
Human Resources – Speech & Audiology

Tracy provides administrative support to HearSay’s multiple locations. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Psychology, and from Sheridan College with an Early Childhood Education diploma. 

She worked in the childcare field for years, in the private, non-profit and workplace sectors. She currently works for a local non-profit agency along with providing administrative support to HearSay. She is passionate about connecting with and supporting others as they strive for success.

In her spare time, Tracy enjoys her garden, travelling and spending time with family, friends and her fur baby.

Elaine is an Administrator at HearSay (Milton). Elaine has earned her B.Sc. in Chemistry from McMaster University and dedicated 7 years to working as a chemist for 7 years. However, she then discovered a newfound passion for baking and cake decoration. This passion led her to establish her own bakery business. In 2014 Sweet Fix Bakery was established. Located within Woodbine at the Fantasy Fair.

While Elaine is fluent in English, she has a basic understanding of Kapampangan, a Filipino dialect.  Her proficiency varies, allowing her to comprehend and participate in conversations.

During her leisure time, Elaine cherishes spending quality moments with her family.

Elaine Dimaculangan 
B.Sc., Chemistry
Clinical Administrator

Julie Noordhoek
Executive Assistant

Julie is an Administrator at HearSay (Milton). She graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelors of Technology in Graphic Communications Management (GCM), with a Minor in Marketing.

As a project manager, Julie has experience in the following industries: Labour Law & Human Rights Publishing, HR Advertising, Financial Communications, Non-profit, Printing and Marketing. She currently provides administrative expertise to colleagues, organizational clients, vendors and partnering networks.

Julie speaks English.

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, biking, hiking, cooking, knitting, quilting, reading and spending time with her fur-baby cat.

Chamika is a recent business management graduate who is also certified in compliance and risk management. For over 10 years she worked as an administrative assistant and compliance officer. She is passionate about meeting the needs of people and volunteers at local high school to provide food source to their students.

Chamika loves interior design and vintage shopping. She spends most of her time with her family enjoying Milton lifestyle.

Chamika Gibson
Clinical Administrator – Speech

Maddie Robson
B.A., CDA (Student)

Maddie is currently a student Communication Disorders Assistant (CDA) at Georgian College, completing her placement at HearSay. She graduated from McMaster University with Combined Honours in Linguistics and English & Cultural Studies in 2021. For the past few years, she has been working as an Educational Assistant with the Halton District School Board. Last year she received the “Inspire Award” for her work with a student and the community.

In her spare time, she loves moving her body, spending time outside, reading books, trying new recipes, and epically failing 60% while baking.