Rhonda MacKinnon
M.Sc., S-LP(C),
Reg. CASLPO

Meet Rhonda – Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist

Rhonda (she/her) is a dedicated licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and the proud owner of Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, in north Waterloo, Ontario. She has been helping individuals develop their communication skills since 2002 and brings over 23 years of experience to her practice. Rhonda’s vision for the clinic is to foster a collaborative and inclusive space where individuals and families receive compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to their unique needs.

Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Approved Provider

Rhonda is an approved provider on the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) Provider List. This means she has met the program’s rigorous standards for professional experience, qualifications, and safety. This includes a comprehensive Vulnerable Sector Check, which is a police background check specifically for individuals working with children and other vulnerable groups.

• Payment and Reimbursement: For families with OAP funding, you will pay Rhonda directly for services. You can then submit your receipts to the OAP for reimbursement.
• Peace of Mind: Knowing that Rhonda is an approved provider can give you extra peace of mind and confidence when choosing her services for your child.

A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach

Rhonda is passionate about providing neurodiversity-affirming care, which means she values and respects the unique ways individuals think, learn, and communicate. Rather than focusing on “fixing” differences, she supports clients in building skills that help them thrive in their own way. Explore practical ways to support authentic communication in Rhonda’s blog post and video, What is Neurodiversity-Affirming Speech Therapy? | Speech Therapist Explains.

Strengths-Based Speech Therapy

She tailors her approach to each client’s strengths and needs, ensuring they feel heard, valued, and empowered. Learn more in Rhonda’s blog post and video, Strengths-Based Speech Therapy for Kids: Why It Works

Experience

Rhonda has worked with clients across all age groups, from infants to older adults. She began her career in a small-town hospital, where she gained experience working with preschoolers, adults with complex medical needs, palliative care patients, and outreach programs in group homes. In 2005, she joined KidsAbility, in Waterloo, a publicly funded regional children’s treatment centre, where she worked full-time for nearly two decades before opening Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates in 2024.

Rhonda has a wealth of clinical experience in areas such as:

• Neurodiversity (e.g., Autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other developmental or chromosomal conditions) – Learn about how helping children understand how their brains work can boost their confidence and communication in a blog post Rhonda wrote, which includes a short video:
  • The Power of Explaining “How Your Brain Works” to Kids
• Speech sound development
• Motor speech needs (e.g., Childhood Apraxia of Speech – CAS) (PROMPT Certified)
• Language development and differences (e.g., Developmental Language Disorder – DLD) – Learn about two main language-learning styles (Analytic vs. Gestalt) and how a speech therapist can support your child’s communication journey in a blog post and video by Rhonda:
  • Gestalt Language Processing in Kids: Understanding How Your Child Learns Language
• Selective mutism & reluctant talking – Learn practical strategies and insights in a blog post Rhonda created, which includes a helpful video:
  • Selective Mutism in Kids: What It Is and How Speech Therapy Can Help
• Social communication skills
• Stuttering (Lidcombe Trained) – Explore blog posts with embedded videos, created by Rhonda to help families better understand and support children who stutter:
  • Talking About Stuttering with Your Child: Embracing Openness and Support
  • The Hidden Side of Stuttering – Why It Matters
  • Helping Your Child with Hidden Stuttering: What Parents Should Know
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) – Learn more in a blog post Rhonda wrote, which includes a short video:
  • Not Bad, Just Misunderstood: How We Can Reframe Behaviour as a Form of Communication
• Literacy development
• Cognitive-Communication development

Family-Centred Therapy

Rhonda believes that families play a vital role in a child’s communication journey. She works closely with caregivers, providing them with the tools and strategies to support their child’s progress in everyday life. By working together, families can help their child build confidence and communication skills in meaningful ways. Learn more about the importance of family involvement in therapy in a blog post Rhonda wrote, which includes a helpful video: Your Role in Speech Therapy Is More Powerful Than You May Think

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA)

Rhonda is deeply committed to EDIA in her practice and strives to create an inclusive and affirming environment for all individuals and families. As a founding member of KidsAbility’s EDIA group, in 2012, she played a key role in advocating for meaningful change. She understands that continued learning in the area of EDIA is essential, as society continues to evolve, and she remains dedicated to growing her knowledge to better serve her community.

A Team Effort

Starting Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates was truly a family and community effort. With the love and support of her husband, two young sons, extended family, and friends, Rhonda’s vision came to life. From making therapy materials to refinishing chairs and building engaging therapy tools, everyone played a part in making the clinic a warm and welcoming space.

Education & Professional Memberships

• Honours Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons.) in Psychology with Distinction, University of Western Ontario (1999)
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology), University of Western Ontario (2002)
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO) since 2002
• Member of Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) since 2002
• Hanen Member, certified in the following Hanen Programs:
  • It Takes Two to Talk® (for Parents of Children with Language Delays)
  • More Than Words® (for Parents of Autistic Children or Children Who May Benefit from Social Communication Support)
  • Target Word™
  • Beyond ABC™
• Completed training in The SCERTS® Model (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support for Autistic Children), presented by Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D., through Thames Valley Children’s Centre in partnership with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
• Completed training in evidence-based motor speech approaches, including:
  • PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) Intervention – a hands-on approach that helps children make the mouth movements needed for clearer speech
  • The Provincial Motor Speech Service Delivery Pathway for Children Over 36 Months – Assessment & Identification of Children for the Pathway – for identifying and supporting children who may benefit from motor speech therapy
• Completed training in evidence-based stuttering interventions, including:
  • Preschool Fluency Pathway – Indirect Treatment Protocol (The Speech and Stuttering Institute), designed for young children in the early stages of stuttering
  • Lidcombe Program, a structured treatment approach for children who stutter (typically up to age 6)
• Certified as an Individual Authorizer (for prescription of low-tech communication aids) via the Assistive Devices Program (ADP), Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training via Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space:
  • Rainbow Diversity Training 101 (May 2023)
  • Rainbow Diversity Training 201 (January 2024)

Moving Forward Together

Rhonda is excited to meet you and looks forward to working collaboratively with you and your child to support their communication journey. She is committed to providing a safe and encouraging space where every individual feels valued and supported in reaching their goals. Contact us to start the conversation.

At Communicating Together Therapy & Wellness Associates, we believe that Care Meets Possibilities!