Sharon Reisdorf, founder of COMMUNICARE Speech Therapy, contracts with local therapists to create a dynamic team of individuals dedicated to supporting the needs of every client! All SLPs are certified to practice by the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC) and are members of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC).
Our Team
Sharon Reisdorf, MSc., RSLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Sharon Reisdorf is the owner of COMMUNICARE. Sharon received her Master of Science degree from Minot State University in 1991. In 1993, Sharon opened COMMUNICARE, moving the practice to Kelowna in 1998.
Sharon has vast experience working with adults in neurorehabilitation medicine including those with acquired brain injuries, strokes, progressive neurological disorders, and dysphagia (swallowing disorders) in the U.S. and Canada. She has also worked with preschoolers to adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, apraxia, speech sound disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, and social communication disorders.
Sharon is passionate about being flexible and working with the family and care team to provide functional outcomes to attain an individual's communication potential. In the process, she has gained a reputation as a practical, engaging, and creative therapist. Sharon also provides supervision of Graduate Student Speech Language Pathologists in her work at Kelowna General Hospital.
Sharon's advanced training includes:
Sharon enjoys kickboxing, playing the piano, and book club. She is a mom to three daughters and on occasion dates her husband. Sharon's canine buddies, Maple and Mowgli, enjoy taking her for walks.
Sharon is a member of:
Sharon has vast experience working with adults in neurorehabilitation medicine including those with acquired brain injuries, strokes, progressive neurological disorders, and dysphagia (swallowing disorders) in the U.S. and Canada. She has also worked with preschoolers to adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, apraxia, speech sound disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders, and social communication disorders.
Sharon is passionate about being flexible and working with the family and care team to provide functional outcomes to attain an individual's communication potential. In the process, she has gained a reputation as a practical, engaging, and creative therapist. Sharon also provides supervision of Graduate Student Speech Language Pathologists in her work at Kelowna General Hospital.
Sharon's advanced training includes:
- "It Takes Two to Talk" - The Hanen Program
- Advanced course work in Social Thinking (Michelle Garcia Winner)
- Canadian Hemispheres Level 1-8 (Stroke Competency Series)
- Assessment & Treatment of Cognitive Communication Disorders after ABI
- MBS IMP Certification
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Adult Swallowing Disorders
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Communication and Swallowing Assessment and Management for Tracheostomy
Sharon enjoys kickboxing, playing the piano, and book club. She is a mom to three daughters and on occasion dates her husband. Sharon's canine buddies, Maple and Mowgli, enjoy taking her for walks.
Sharon is a member of:
- College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHHPBC)
- British Columbia Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (BCASLPA)
- Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC)
- Past member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
"I'm so thankful for the wonderful support, mentorship and advocacy Sharon has shown my daughter over the years. Olivia loved working with her. Sharon was able to understand her varying needs, provide appropriate methodologies, and communicate to her in a way that she was able to understand and emulate. As a result of Sharon's involvement in Olivia's therapy, she is now able to communicate with adults and her peers in a healthy, supportive, and engaging manner. It has been amazing to see her transformation. Words cannot express my gratitude for Sharon's patient and caring services and the impact they have had on my daughter." ~ Grace, mom of Olivia |
Leeann Flood, MSc., RSLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
"Communication is the essence of human life." ~ Janice Light
Leeann’s clinical areas of interest include communication and cognitive communication disorders after acquired brain injury. She is passionate about helping people achieve meaningful, functional communication goals with a focus on returning to work, school and community.
Leeann has special training in helping people receive the support they require in the legal system as a result of a communication difficulty, whether it be difficulty expressing oneself, or understanding spoken or written language - as a registered Communication Intermediary through Communication Disabilities Access Canada.
She also enjoys working with children age 5 through adolescence for articulation and speech sound disorders, social communication disorders / social skills for students with ASD, and language delays.
Leeann provides in-services to caregiver support groups, or care facility staff on topics such as communication with persons with dementia, supporting communication after a stroke, and oral care and safe swallow management for adults in residential care.
Leeann’s advanced training includes:
When Leeann is not working as a speech pathologist, she can be found exploring hiking trails in the Okanagan with her side-kick Juno, the Goldendoodle.
Leeann is a member of:
Leeann has special training in helping people receive the support they require in the legal system as a result of a communication difficulty, whether it be difficulty expressing oneself, or understanding spoken or written language - as a registered Communication Intermediary through Communication Disabilities Access Canada.
She also enjoys working with children age 5 through adolescence for articulation and speech sound disorders, social communication disorders / social skills for students with ASD, and language delays.
Leeann provides in-services to caregiver support groups, or care facility staff on topics such as communication with persons with dementia, supporting communication after a stroke, and oral care and safe swallow management for adults in residential care.
Leeann’s advanced training includes:
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Adult Swallowing Disorders
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Communication and Swallowing Assessment and Management for Tracheostomy
- Registered Communication Intermediary through Communication Disabilities Access Canada
- MBS Imp certification
- LSVT LOUD certification (2011)
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing workshop and training
- Camperdown workshop for Adolescents- fluency disorders
- Assessment and Treatment of Cognitive Communication Disorders after ABI
- Passy-Muir speaking valve management in swallowing and speaking courses
When Leeann is not working as a speech pathologist, she can be found exploring hiking trails in the Okanagan with her side-kick Juno, the Goldendoodle.
Leeann is a member of:
- College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHHPBC)
- Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC)
My 54 year old son is in a care centre and his health issues are now affecting his walking and speech. I was very impressed with the assessment report and care plan prepared for my son's caregivers by Leeann. I am very grateful for the excellent support we have received. ~ Marion S. |
Lisa Reece, MSc., RSLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Lisa grew up in Kelowna, BC, but found herself moving across the country to complete her Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. During her program, she gained experience working with children with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and a variety of expressive, receptive, and social communication disorders; adults with dysphagia (swallowing disorders) and language disorders in the acute (hospital) and rehabilitative setting; and learned to implement devices for adolescents and adults in need of augmentative and alternative forms of communication.
Most recently, Lisa worked at Vancouver General Hospital. Her caseload included adults with dysphagia and language disorders following stroke, transplant, dementia, and brain injury. She is intrigued by the medical side of Speech-Language Pathology and has learned the importance of collaboration with the medical team and family members. Educating and including family members in the therapy process is essential: they are able to affect great change.
Back in the Okanagan, Lisa is excited to be part of the Communicare team and return to her first love: working with children.
Lisa's advanced training includes:
Lisa's other interests include swimming, playing the piano, watching movies, cooking, and chasing after her toddler.
Lisa is a member of:
Most recently, Lisa worked at Vancouver General Hospital. Her caseload included adults with dysphagia and language disorders following stroke, transplant, dementia, and brain injury. She is intrigued by the medical side of Speech-Language Pathology and has learned the importance of collaboration with the medical team and family members. Educating and including family members in the therapy process is essential: they are able to affect great change.
Back in the Okanagan, Lisa is excited to be part of the Communicare team and return to her first love: working with children.
Lisa's advanced training includes:
- "It Takes Two to Talk" - The Hanen Program
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Adult Swallowing Disorders
Lisa's other interests include swimming, playing the piano, watching movies, cooking, and chasing after her toddler.
Lisa is a member of:
- College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHHPBC)
- Speech and Hearing BC
- Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC)
Kelsea Ross, MSc., RSLP
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Registered Speech Language Pathologist
Kelsea is passionate about helping her clients use functional communication skills to participate fully in their lives. She uses a holistic, evidence-based, and client-centred approach to guide communication goals toward functional outcomes. Kelsea's services include direct therapy, family education and coaching, and environmental modification.
In her graduate studies, she discovered her passion for working with adults with acquired brain injury such as stroke (and aphasia) in the community. She fused this with her passion for yoga, completing a published research thesis on barriers and facilitators to participation in a group yoga class for adults with aphasia post-stroke.
Kelsea is now gaining experience working with a wide variety of clientele. She enjoys working with children from kindergarten to adolescence who need help with articulation, phonology, language development, and social skills. In addition, she enjoys working with adults with swallowing disorders, aphasia, dysarthria, dementia, and cognitive communication impairment.
Kelsea is working towards her advanced training in:
When she isn't at work, you can find Kelsea skiing up at Big White in the winter, on the beach in the summer, and sweating it out in hot yoga all the time!
Kelsea is a member of:
In her graduate studies, she discovered her passion for working with adults with acquired brain injury such as stroke (and aphasia) in the community. She fused this with her passion for yoga, completing a published research thesis on barriers and facilitators to participation in a group yoga class for adults with aphasia post-stroke.
Kelsea is now gaining experience working with a wide variety of clientele. She enjoys working with children from kindergarten to adolescence who need help with articulation, phonology, language development, and social skills. In addition, she enjoys working with adults with swallowing disorders, aphasia, dysarthria, dementia, and cognitive communication impairment.
Kelsea is working towards her advanced training in:
- Certificate of Advanced Competency in Videofluoroscopic Assessment of Adult Swallowing Disorders
When she isn't at work, you can find Kelsea skiing up at Big White in the winter, on the beach in the summer, and sweating it out in hot yoga all the time!
Kelsea is a member of:
- College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHHPBC)
- Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC)
"My 7-year-old son has been seeing Kelsea for about 4 months now. His speech and his patience when communicating has improved greatly. Kelsea is warm, caring, and patient; I would highly recommend her services with Communicare." |