Therapy Staff
Meet Kirsten
Kirsten Gottschalk
Clinical Director, Partner & Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.Cl.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, Western University
B.A., Cognitive Science of Language, McMaster University
On Leave - Available for Limited Virtual Services Only
Languages Spoken: English, American Sign Language
Kirsten is a speech-language pathologist with extensive experience with working with various populations, including those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and Rett syndrome.
Before Kirsten became a speech-language pathologist, she worked in related fields as a respite/support worker, a behaviour therapist, and as an early childhood teacher.
Kirsten is trained in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk, Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol (K-SLP), Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and PROMPT level 1.
In Kirsten’s spare time, she loves to travel, is a dog enthusiast, and enjoys coaching sports, including basketball & soccer.
Meet Giulia
Giulia Quance (Vintila)
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.H.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto
B.Sc., University of Waterloo
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Limited in-home availability in Burlington and Oakville
Languages Spoken: English, Romanian
Giulia’s various experiences in the school board, private practice, community and hospital settings have provided her with exposure to a wide range of diagnoses, delays and disorders that speech-language pathologists encounter. Giulia has experience working with children with speech, language, and literacy delays, fluency and voice disorders, children with alternative or augmentative communication needs as well as with children with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Global Developmental Delay and Down Syndrome. She is formally trained in Hanen’s It Takes Two to Talk, the Lidcombe Program, and is PROMPT-trained.
Over the course of her career, Giulia has become very passionate about working with children and their families, and has become an advocate for the importance of parent training. She always strives to provide a family-centred approach to intervention in order to maximize each child’s success in therapy.
When she is not in her therapy room, Giulia enjoys travelling, hiking with her dog and learning to paint.
Meet Aimee
Aimee Cayuga
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, McMaster University
B.A., Applied Linguistics, Brock University
Available at the Dundas Clinic and for Virtual Services
Limited in-home availability in Hamilton
Languages Spoken: English
Aimee is a Speech-Language Pathologist who will be starting with us in January 2025. Aimee has a true passion for working with the pediatric population. She has worked with children for 10 years in various jobs before her career as a speech-language pathologist. She has experience with helping children build their communication skills in expressive language, receptive language, motor speech, articulation and more. Her approach to therapy is centred on creating engaging and individualized therapy plans that empower children to reach their full potential.
In her free time, Aimee loves exploring new therapy ideas to bring creativity into sessions, baking delicious treats, and spending time with friends and family.
Meet Ayesha
Ayesha Raza
Occupational Therapist, Reg. COTO
M.Sc.O.T., Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto
B.Sc., Kinesiology, McMaster University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Limited in-home availability in Hamilton
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Urdu
Ayesha is an accomplished occupational therapist, with experience with a very diverse group of challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cognitive challenges, motor skills, feeding, toileting, cardiovascular-related physical challenges, stroke victims, and more.
Ayesha is trained to deliver a large number of cognitive & physical assessments. Ayesha also contributed to the Leans Curriculum, an academically researched education curriculum designed to be neurodiversity-affirming.
In Ayesha’s spare time, she is an avid painter & colourer, enjoys hiking & playing soccer, reads & writes and has volunteered as a crisis counsellor.
Meet Jade
Jade Green
Communicative Disorders Assistant, Reg. CDAAC
Diploma, CDA, Durham College
B.A., Speech & Language, Brock University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Limited in-home availability in Halton Hills and Milton
Languages Spoken: English
Jade is a Communicative Disorders Assistant, who fell in love with linguistics during her undergraduate program, and was inspired to become a CDA.
Jade has significant experience with literacy and articulation concerns, and has experience working with individuals with behavioural challenges.
In Jade’s spare time, she loves playing sports, travelling, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Meet Sana
Sana Mumtaz
Speech-Language Pathologist, Reg. CASLPO
M.H.Sc., Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto
B.A. & B.Sc., McMaster University
Available at the Dundas Clinic
Limited in-home availability in Hamilton
Languages Spoken: English, Urdu
Sana is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with extensive experience spanning the communicative disorder spectrum, who has spent a significant part of her career in neurological & children’s care units at major hospitals in Toronto & Hamilton. Her credentials include It Takes Two to Talk, Gentle Persuasiveness Approach, Modified Barium Swallow Profile, Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA) and the Lidcombe Treatment Program.
In Sana’s spare time, she is a skilled photographer and loves the outdoors.
Meet Sankavi
Sankavi Ragu
Communicative Disorders Assistant, Reg. CDAAC
Diploma, CDA, Durham College
B.Sc., Biomedical Sciences, Toronto Metropolitan University
Available for Virtual Services
Languages Spoken: English, Tamil
Sankavi is a Communicative Disorders Assistant, whose passion for speech-language therapy began with her work with the Toronto Catholic District School Board as an Educational Assistant for children with special needs.
Sankavi has experience in several areas of speech-language therapy, including alternative & augmentative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and more.
In Sankavi’s spare time, she loves nature walks, drawing & gardening. She is passionate about trying different cuisines, and says “food is definitely the way to my heart!”
Support Staff
Meet Brendon
Brendon Carson
Managing Partner
Languages Spoken: English, French
Brendon is the office-end partner of Zebra Therapy, providing the business support for our practice.
Brendon works in automotive software, and in his spare time, he is a soccer coach & club president, real & fantasy hockey enthusiast, and a dog lover.
Meet Jessica
Jessica Woodworth
Clinic Coordinator
Languages Spoken: English
Jessica is our clinic coordinator, working part-time at the office helping clients with billing & scheduling. Jessica is in the middle of pursuing her own education & career in speech therapy.
Meet Oatmeal
Oatmeal
Chief Health Officer
Languages Spoken: Dog, English (when convenient), Sound of the Fridge Opening (fluent)
Oatmeal is a 5 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He is extremely energetic, loves food, loves belly scratches, swimming and rolling around in the snow. His favourite tricks are “bang” and “wave”.
Meet Lana
Lana
Chief Security Officer
Languages Spoken: Dog, English (very little), Ghost (we think)
Lana is a 9 year old Miniature Daschund. She is cuddly, loves napping, eating cheese and barking at weird noises. Her favourite tricks are “prairie dog” and “get out of the kitchen”.
Improving quality of life is our passion.
We treat our clients with the utmost care.
Transparency
We pride ourselves on transparent assessments, reporting & billing; our care for our clients is thoroughly honest and details will not be missed.
Professionalism
We are incredibly thorough with our record-keeping and your privacy is assured; and we will always treat our clients with patience, respect and understanding.
Engagement
It’s important to us that our clients enjoy therapy with us; we make every effort to make our sessions fun, engaging and stimulating.