“Find your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life…”. Well… I can’t say I quite achieved that but if you mention “communication disorders” I’m in!!! I’ve always loved the challenge. I worked in the acute care, rehab and long term settings. I worked in education, preschool, private practice and had the opportunity to supervise practicums and lecture at the university level. My life has been a path of learning and changes. I’ve had the privilege to work with all ages; with long days filled with challenges and fun but also, at times, tragedy and sadness. I’ve shared successes and frustrations with my colleagues. I’ve touched lives and had mine filled with friends and cherished memories. I’ve spent hours in the imaging department with my leaded thyroid guard, gloves and gown and my barium coated marshmallows, sat cross-legged on the floor with my Lambchop puppet and sat at my laptop poring over CELF results. I’m a staunch advocate for the thermal stimulation technique for swallowing stimulation, Fast Forword for language learning, Expanded Expressions Tool for vocabulary, differential diagnosis for reading and Lingraphica for AAC! Podcasting and Blogging… What fun!!! What more could a person dream of who got an “N” for Not Satisfactory for “Does not disturb others” on most of my report cards!!

Cheryl graduated with a master's degree from Minot State University way back in 1982. She worked as an SLP until her retirement in 2022. Almost all of her experience has been with preschool and school age children though she also spent 3 years working at an adult vocational workshop and group homes as well as three years as a clinical supervisor at Minot State University. Most of Cheryl's work experience has been on the prairies in North Dakota and Saskatchewan, with the exception of three years spent working on a reserve in remote Northern Ontario. She has worked in schools, public health, a large facility for the profoundly cognitively challenged (before it closed), several nursing homes and private practice. Cheryl has a special affinity for children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders, who are deaf or hard of hearing, and anyone who needs augmentative and alternative means of communication.