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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A person with ADHD writes in a notebook on a wooden desk in Toronto, with a laptop, tablet, coffee cup, glasses, books, and a few instant photos scattered nearby.

Evolution Of Communication And Socialization In The Age Of Technology

Communication is fundamental to human connection, shaping social structures, cultural identity, and interpersonal relationships. Before the 1900s, interaction relied primarily on oral traditions, handwritten letters, and community gatherings. These were deeply personal modes of exchange, requiring effort, presence, and intentionality. Oral storytelling and public speeches acted as the social glue of communities, ensuring language and cultural knowledge passed across generations.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Two people sit on a rooftop, facing each other and smiling. The man gestures as he talks, while the woman listens, both appearing relaxed and engaged in conversation. A chain-link fence and trees are visible in the background.

Overall Tone: When Words Aren’t Enough

Have you ever said and truly meant the phrase, “thanks a lot, I’m fine, it’s okay” but the listener didn’t believe you? It’s likely not due to what you said, but rather how you said it. This article highlights how tone of voice plays a key role in communication and why we can’t rely solely on the words we use to fully and accurately express ourselves.

Overall Tone: When Words Aren’t Enough Read Post »

WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman and an older man sit at a table in Ontario, engaged in discussion over a notebook. The woman gestures with a pen while the man listens attentively. Other people and artworks are visible in this setting for adults.

Reframing Conflict As Collaboration

If you’re reading this, you may be trying to figure out how to approach your coworker or partner or even your parents about a disagreement. As a society we’ve pushed the unproductive narrative that conflict is a bad thing and should be avoided. This article will address why avoidance happens, the negative impact of it and how to approach conflict with assertiveness and confidence.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A group of adults have a picnic on a grassy area near the water at sunset, with Toronto’s city skyline and tall buildings in the background. The sun is low, casting a warm glow over the peaceful scene.

How To Successfully Have Small Talk

Small talk is something that many people do not always feel comfortable with. Some may feel they do not know what to say or how to carry the conversation because it feels awkward. Others may feel the conversation is pointless and forced and do not try to put much effort into it. Even though it may feel this way sometimes, whether the conversation feels important or not, it is a window to building relationships and potentially even starting longer conversations.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A busy Toronto restaurant with people sitting at wooden tables, talking and enjoying drinks. Warm lighting hangs above, creating a cozy atmosphere where friends connect, smiles are shared, and even thoughtful moments shine in the heart of Ontario.

Understanding Social Communication

It is important to have good communication skills for building and maintaining relationships, participating in social and academic settings, and navigating professional environments. In social situations, communication involves more than vocabulary and sentence structure; it encompasses how language is used in context — how individuals initiate, maintain, and end interactions, interpret verbal and nonverbal cues, and adjust their communication based on the listener and setting.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Four people sit around a table in Toronto, smiling and interacting with small photos spread out in front of them. One woman laughs while another reaches toward the center. Notebooks and a coffee mug are also on the table.

Understanding Emotions Through Facial Expressions

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I sometimes work with clients on social communication skills, including the ability to recognize and interpret emotions. One of the most powerful tools we have for understanding how others feel is their facial expressions. The face is a window into emotions, and learning to read it can improve your relationships, communication, and empathy. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the work of Dr. Paul Ekman, a pioneer in the study of emotions and facial expressions.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. People sit at long tables in a warmly lit Toronto restaurant, engaged in conversation and enjoying drinks, with large windows on one side and hanging lights above.

Navigating Holiday Work Parties: A Guide

This blog post was inspired by a recent session I had with a client who wanted to spend a session figuring out how to best navigate an upcoming holiday work party they were attending the following week. I realized that many of the tips I used for general networking were easily applicable to the annual holiday party, which in some instances may be the only chance you get to interact with colleagues in a different context and manner.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Two people sit on a rooftop, facing each other and smiling. The man gestures as he talks, while the woman listens, both appearing relaxed and engaged in conversation. A chain-link fence and trees are visible in the background.

Non-Verbal Communication

When we use non-verbal communication, we can share additional information without having to describe things using words. Without non-verbal communication we would have difficulties fully expressing ourselves and understanding each other. Let’s explore non-verbal communication on a deeper level to better understand the importance of it when we are communicating.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman in business attire sits at a table, attentively listening to two people in the foreground, suggesting a professional meeting or interview setting. The focus is on her serious expression.

Social Communication Therapy For Adults With ASD

I’ve have had a lot of experience in working with children and adults on the Autism spectrum over the past few years, which has allowed me to see a variety of services available in the GTA. An unfortunate gap in services that I have noticed is concerning the adult population with ASD, as most of the adults I’ve worked with in this context have wanted support for social communication.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A smiling couple walks hand in hand down a grassy path through a field with autumn foliage, dressed in cozy fall clothing.

Tips For Dating And Making Contact

On Sunday, October 4th, Well Said hosted an event called Dating on the Spectrum, which gathered individuals on the spectrum between ages 20-35 to allow them an opportunity to meet. Here are some tips that were shared with the participants, most of which are useful reminders for any person who are interested in speaking with a specific person.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A couple stands hand in hand in a dimly lit room, looking out large windows at a city skyline at night. The sky outside glows orange, with mysterious lights or objects among the buildings.

Whole Messages

The main purpose of communication is to understand, and to be understood. The understanding component can be done through active listening, which involves paraphrasing and clarifying. The second part— expressing yourself the way you intend—can be a trickier task. How are you to send a clear message when your needs, wants, feelings, and opinions are convoluted?

Whole Messages Read Post »

WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Two people dressed in winter coats and hats walk side by side under a large umbrella on a snowy day, with trees in the background. The image is in black and white.

Refining the Art of Small Talk

Small talk is used to fill the uncomfortable and even unbearable silence we feel amidst others. We may not delight in it but most of us tolerate engaging in small talk as a part of socializing, mostly with strangers or acquaintances. One of our Speech Language Pathologists gives advice on how to become better at small talk.

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