Insights on Effective Communication Strategies

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A person stands indoors with their back to the camera, holding a paper behind their back, in a spacious Toronto corridor with other adults walking and sitting in the background.

Why Do You Blank When Asked a Question?

Have you ever been in a situation when you were asked a question and you felt your mind went completely blank? You know you know the answer, but the words don’t seem to come out. Often, you may come up with a good answer after the fact, when it is already too late. Maybe this happened during a meeting when someone randomly asked you a question or for your opinion, or when someone asked you a question out of the blue during your presentation, and maybe you said something, but not as clearly and concisely as you would have liked. Sometimes, even the simplest questions can make us blank.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Two professional microphones and a pop filter set up in a recording studio, shown in black and white, with a blurred background—an inviting space for voices and stories from Ontario’s ASD and ADHD communities.

Do You Have a Lisp?

There are several ways to produce an S, and small differences in tongue position or airflow can change the way it sounds. For adults, the more useful question is often not “Do I have a lisp?” but “Do I like the way my S sounds?” If the answer is no, speech therapy can help.

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How Breath Shapes Communication

You breathe on average 21,600 times a day. That’s around 15 times a minute and 900 times an hour (McCoy, 2011). Because breathing is automatic, it is easy to assume that it must also be simple. However, that is not the case. The vast majority of clients I’ve worked with don’t breathe effectively while speaking. Breathing for speech is different from breathing at rest. Speaking requires us to coordinate breathing with voice, phrasing, pauses, pitch, volume, and articulation.

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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.

Is It Clear Speech or Is It Accent Expansion?

For many adults seeking speech therapy, the goal is to communicate more clearly. I will often hear a new client tell me something along the lines of: “People keep asking me to repeat myself at work” or “People say they have difficulty understanding me.” Very often, these clients may speak English as a second or third (or even fourth or fifth) language. Some of them are quick to claim that their accent when speaking English is what is causing the breakdown. Sometimes this may be true. But is that always the case?

Is It Clear Speech or Is It Accent Expansion? Read Post »

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.

Tips to help with word finding

We all have been in the middle of a conversation where we have forgotten a word. Often in this situation you can picture what you are talking about, you know exactly what you want to say, but for some reason, the word just will not come out. You might start saying, “You know, the thing…” , or “I can’t think of the word”. Sometimes the word comes back a few seconds later, and other times it suddenly pops into your head after the conversation has already ended or even later in the day. 

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. Two people in business attire sit at an outdoor table with a laptop and smartphones, having a conversation in sunlight. The woman, facing the camera, discusses ASD support for adults in Ontario while the man remains mostly out of focus.

How an Adult Can Benefit from Speech Therapy (You May Not Know You Need It)

Many people assume that because they don’t have a communication disorder, a Speech-Language Pathologist can’t help them. This is where one of the biggest misconceptions lies. Yes, speech therapists work with individuals who have communication delays and disorders, but we also work with adults who simply want to improve or enhance specific aspects of their communication for work, leadership roles, public speaking, or personal confidence.

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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.

Clear Thoughts, Foggy Speech

Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That sounded way better in my head”? Well, you’re not alone. Knowing what you want to say, and saying it well are two very different skills. An often-overlooked aspect of effective communication is verbal planning

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman and a man sit at a table in a Toronto classroom, focused on paperwork. The woman holds a pen while the man points at the page, possibly discussing ADHD or speech-language pathology. Other people are in the background, with papers and a phone on the table.

Why Practice Matters in Speech Therapy

When people begin speech therapy, they often assume that most of the progress will happen during the actual appointments. On the surface, this makes sense. Therapy sessions are where new strategies are introduced and practiced and skills are demonstrated. Yet one of the most important truths about speech therapy is that meaningful change rarely happens because of the hour spent in the session. Instead, lasting improvement and change is built through the moments of practice that happen between sessions.

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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.

Progress in Speech Therapy

Many people believe that they have a speech issue and that within a few sessions it will disappear, allowing them to speak perfectly. In reality, this is not the case. Progress in speech therapy is usually very gradual. The changes are often subtle at first, but even small changes that may not be noticeable to everyone can begin having a positive impact on a client’s overall quality of life and communication confidence.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A smiling couple holding hands walks along a leaf-covered trail in an autumn Toronto landscape, surrounded by trees and dried grass in warm orange and brown tones.

Accent Modification: Why Sounding Native Shouldn’t Be the Main Target

I have a lot of clients coming to me to work on accent modification in order to be understood more clearly overall. Some even have the goal of wanting to sound like they are from Canada and have their accent sound more like a native speaker. Most often, after discussions with the client during the initial consultation, they usually mean that they want to sound more clear, confident, and be easier understood by others.

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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.

Factors Affecting Speech Clarity And Comprehension In Communication

Speech is one of the most fundamental tools of human interaction. It is not merely a mechanical act of producing sounds but is a complex coordination of cognitive, physical and social processes. Speech allows thoughts to move beyond the mind and into the shared space between individuals. Many individuals experience situations where their words fail to reach others clearly or are misunderstood entirely. This gap between intention and perception can lead to frustration, miscommunication and even social withdrawal. 

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman sits at a table facing two other women, appearing to listen attentively during a conversation or interview in a professional setting focused on speech-language pathology for adults.

You Know Your Stuff – So Why Doesn’t It Sound Like It?

Your boss asks you a question on the spot and, despite knowing the answer, you stumble over your words. You talk about something you know well, but end up over-explaining, repeating your point, or sounding less certain than you feel. You go to share an opinion, then your mind goes blank and the words disappear. Sound familiar? This article outlines why this gap happens, and how specific communication patterns can either support or undermine how your knowledge is perceived.

You Know Your Stuff – So Why Doesn’t It Sound Like It? Read Post »

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.

Why You Sound Clearer When You Write Than When You Speak

I have many professionals, and especially English as a second language speakers, say that they find it easy to form their thoughts in writing, but have a difficult time transferring this to spoken language, especially when they are put on the spot without any structure. Though this is something many people experience, the good news is that there are clear reasons for it, and it can definitely be worked on, practiced, and improved over time.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman smiling across a table at a café, with a cup of coffee and a small bouquet of flowers in front of her. The scene is viewed through a window, creating reflections and a warm, cozy atmosphere.

What I’ve Learned About Stuttering From My Clients

When people come to speech therapy for stuttering, they often expect that I will teach them something entirely new about speaking. They imagine techniques or exercises that will finally fix what feels broken. And yes, absolutely therapy involves learning new skills (like gentle onset, or reduced articulatory pressure, etc.). But after years of working with adults who stutter, I have come to realize something important. I am also learning from my clients as much as they may be from me.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A man in a suit stands and speaks to three colleagues seated around a conference table in a modern office, discussing strategies and challenges for adults with ADHD; documents, a keyboard, and notebooks are visible on the table.

Why the Best Speakers Pause

Pausing is a nonverbal communication skill many of us fear and avoid. But what if we’ve been looking at silence all wrong. What if it could be a skill that separates us from the rest. A tool used to capture attention, convey thoughtfulness and showcase well-planned speech. What if instead of shying away from pauses in communication, you learned to embrace and leverage them to command every room you enter.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman sits at a table facing two other women, appearing to listen attentively during a conversation or interview in a professional setting focused on speech-language pathology for adults.

Stuttering: Workplace Issues and Management

Although stuttering does not affect intelligence, competence or professional capability, people who stutter are sometimes misunderstood or unfairly judged. This misunderstanding may influence hiring decisions, workplace participation and career advancement. Understanding the nature of stuttering and the challenges faced by people who stutter is important for creating inclusive and supportive work environments.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A group of people sit at a long table in a cozy Toronto restaurant, talking and laughing. Warm lighting from ceiling lamps creates an inviting atmosphere, with large windows on one side.

Making and Maintaining Social Conversations: A Guide for Adults

Social conversations are more than exchanging information or asking questions. Conversations are about connecting with another human being, sharing experiences, and creating moments of mutual enjoyment. Understanding the purpose and flow of social conversations can help anyone feel more confident, comfortable and engaged with those around them.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A person in a suit sits on a bench using a laptop, with a tan leather briefcase beside them. The indoor setting, decorated with a small plant, could be an Ontario workspace designed for adults with ADHD seeking focus and productivity.

Using AI vs Working with a Speech-Language Pathologist

Artificial intelligence (AI) in more recent years has become a very common part of people’s daily lives in various ways, but this also includes communication and learning. They are so many different communication tools out there, such as generating exercises, practicing pronunciation, and even simulating conversations. AI can appear to be a very confident cost-effective option for practice for many people working on goals such as speech clarity or professional communication.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A man in a sunhat and sunglasses smiles at a woman with wavy hair and glasses at the beach near Toronto. They are facing each other, both in orange clothing, with the ocean in the background.

Understanding Vocal strain

Vocal strain affects a significant portion of the population particularly those in professions with high vocal demands. Research indicates that nearly 1/3 of workers depend on their voices as essential tools for their jobs. Teachers, call center operators, salespeople, performers and legal professionals face elevated risks for developing vocal strain. Among the various causes, vocal abuse stands out as one of the most common and preventable cause.

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Silent Reflux and Voice issues

In speech therapy when we do voice work, we spend a lot of time talking about technique. Breath support, resonance, enunciation, and intonation. But sometimes, even though it feels you are doing everything right, the voice still feels unreliable. It may crack more easily, get tired faster, and just doesn’t sound the way it used too. When this happens, many people assume they need to practice more or push through it. Though, the issue may have  little to do with vocal technique, and more to do with what’s happening in the digestive system.

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Is Mark Carney a Good Speaker? Examining his Speech at Davos

Many people think strong public speaking is about sounding confident, using big words, or having impressive ideas. Those things can help, but they are not the full story. Truly effective speakers combine what they say with how they say it. Their delivery supports their message, making their ideas easier to understand and more memorable. A great real-world example is Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A woman sits at a table facing two other women, appearing to listen attentively during a conversation or interview in a professional setting focused on speech-language pathology for adults.

A Guide to Preparing for a Job Interview with an SLP

Whether you’re applying for your first role after graduation, returning to work after a break, or pursuing an upgraded position to match your skills better, job interviews can be daunting. Yet with the right preparation — especially focused on communication, confidence, and clarity — you can improve your chances of success. In fact, some research suggests that structured interview skills training improves both verbal and non-verbal communication behaviours during interviews, especially for individuals with speech, language and communication needs.

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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.

The Brain vs. The Search Bar Are we Losing the Ability to Think?

Have you noticed that it is harder to think critically, solve problems, find the right words, or remember things? How is your attention span holding up? Have your expectations for how quickly you want information shifted? There are many reasons you might be experiencing these challenges. One of them is our increasing reliance on technology.

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WELL SAID: TORONTO SPEECH THERAPY. A man in a light-colored t-shirt stands outdoors against a dramatic sky with orange and white clouds in Toronto, looking slightly to the side with a neutral expression.

What’s with RFK Jr’s Voice? A Look at Spasmodic Dysphonia

When a public figure exhibits a distinct manner of speaking, it often brings a rare moment of public awareness to voice disorders. In RFK Jr’s case, he has publicly stated that his voice issues are due to a condition called spasmodic dysphonia (SD). I thought it might be helpful to use this post to explain what that is and what we know about managing this complex neurological condition.

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