About

The Speech, Language & Literacy Centre was created to provide evidence-based interventions to children with speech, language and reading delays/disorders while increasing their family’s knowledge and skill in supporting their children.

Our Philosophy

Welcome!

The Speech, Language & Literacy Centre is owned and operated by Lyndsay Bourdeau, R.SLP (C) and Ashley Coote, R.SLP, CCC-SLP.

We provide services to children ranging from infant to school age. At the Speech, Language & Literacy Centre, a child’s overall circle of learning is the focus, from spoken language to learning to read and write.

The Speech, Language & Literacy Centre is located at #102, 200 Carnegie Drive in St Albert, Alberta, Canada.

Our Philosophy

Our aim is to empower every child to fulfill their potential by leveraging their strengths to address areas of difficulty and enhancing family and community involvement. We concentrate on a child's complete learning journey, encompassing speech, language, and the development of reading and writing skills.

Meet the Team

We're a passionate crew of creative thinkers and problem solvers, dedicated to bringing big ideas to life and delivering results that matter.

Lyndsay Bourdeau

Lyndsay has been a speech-language pathologist for 17 years supporting children and families in a variety of settings. Lyndsay believes in a client centered practice developing connection with children and their families to then support their language and learning needs. Lyndsay has advanced practice training in the area of Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has particular interest in children with speech disorders and the connection between speech, language and literacy development. In her free time, Lyndsay enjoys spending time with her family, especially doing things outdoors like camping, biking, and playing kickball.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Owner/Director

Ashley Coote

I have over 15 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, specializing in Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), motor speech disorders, and early language development. I hold a Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Washington State University and am certified by ASHA, SLPAB, and SAC. Living in St. Albert with my family, I enjoy time outdoors, supporting the Oilers, and celebrating life's moments—just like snowflakes, each of us is unique, and together we create strength and beauty.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Owner/Director

Nicole Salvador-McKellar

Nicole Salvador is a Tagalog-English bilingual SLP in Treaty 6 Territory (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). She lives and breathes the work on speech and language skills as it relates to reading and writing development. Nicole also has taken a keen interest in supporting communication and literacy access of children with complex communication needs through the use of Augmentative, Alternative forms of Communication (AAC). She is always mindful of the intersectionality when providing speech-language services to children and families coming from diverse and multilingual backgrounds. Outside this role, Nicole is a mom to a furry friend, Chabi. She also loves to go on long nature walks, lift weights and cozy up to movies from way back.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Literacy Coordinator

Janet Gallagher

Hi my name is Janet Gallagher. I have been an SLP for 22 years and have worked with children 0-18 in both health and education. I have my Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta, graduating in 2002, and am a registered member of ACSLPA and SAC. I grew up in rural New Brunswick on a dairy farm (yes I can milk a cow) and am proud of my Maritime roots. I've lived in Alberta for 27 years and it has been good to me. I share my life with my husband, two daughters, and some furry friends. We lived in Grande Prairie for many years, and have called St. Albert home for the past 15 years. When I’m not working, I enjoy walking, nature, cooking, traveling, and going skiing in the mountains with my family. I feel blessed to have chosen the career that I did and to be able to play a part in helping others achieve their communication goals.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Autism Assesment Coordinator

Genevieve Roberts

Genevieve is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, and received her Master's in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Alberta. She is passionate about all things related to language, with special interests in literacy development, Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), and Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Genevieve also has experience working with clients in a wide variety of settings, including schools, family homes, clinics, as well as remotely through telehealth. She enjoys creative problem-solving and supporting clients no matter what challenges they are currently facing, in both their speech/language development and their lives. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (especially outdoors), and likes horseback riding, camping, and hiking.

Speech-Language Pathologist

FSCD Coordinator

Donna Poirier

Registered Psychologist

Autism Assessment

Donna is a registered psychologist and certified teacher, holding a Master’s of Educational Psychology degree, as well as a Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in Special Education, from the University of Alberta. Her 35-plus years of practical experience working with and supporting individuals of all ages and abilities in her roles as a teacher, behaviour consultant, and psychologist, affords Donna the ability to translate individual and family priorities and diagnostic information into pragmatic and functional social/communication, educational, emotional/behavioural, and life skills goals and interventions to effectively support children and their families, and maximize the child’s potential. Donna has a wide range of experience working with children across a variety of settings, and specializes in working with young children as well as children on the Autism spectrum. She has completed specialized training in Autism assessment and diagnosis with the assessments AAPLES, as well as in the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
Donna believes that information gleaned from assessment can be the springboard to better understanding each child as a whole; to help elevate the individual through the development of personalized goals and strategies, which builds upon the child’s strengths in order to support and enhance their areas of identified need. Early diagnosis permits earlier access to supports and therapies that can improve a child's communication and social skills, which has positive future implications and may improve the child's quality of life. When Donna has free time, she enjoys travelling, camping, and spending time in the mountains.

Sheena Sanderson

I am dedicated to helping young children improve their communication skills and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of those around me. When I’m not having fun at the Speech Language & Literacy Centre you will catch me with an iced coffee at the rink watching my boys play hockey, spending time outdoors with my family or curled up on the couch with a book.

Speech-Language Assistant

Miranda Uzande

Registered Psychologist

Autism Assessment

Miranda is a Registered Psychologist with extensive experience conducting multidisciplinary assessments of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In addition to ASD and FASD, Miranda has experience assessing Learning Disorders, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Twice-Exceptional profiles, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms.
Her work includes culturally sensitive, community-informed assessments with individuals in remote Indigenous communities in Alberta and in private practice clinics. She works with individuals from preschool age through adulthood.
She takes a trauma-informed, strength-based approach, highlighting areas that may foster each person’s success within their environments. Her assessment approach is compassionate and non-judgmental, while offering meaningful recommendations that may address challenges and build on strengths. With a background as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor, Miranda brings a strong understanding of Alberta Education and the practical supports that help individuals thrive in school settings.

Sara Goad

Sara completed her Master’s of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta in 2009. Sara has special interests in Speech Sound Disorders, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Early Language Development, and Autism. She is dedicated to helping children develop strong communication skills. Sara takes a functional, play-based, family-centered, and neuroaffirming approach to therapy, partnering closely with families to support their child’s communication growth. When Sara is not working you can find her spending time with her three sons, her husband and other friends and family. Sara enjoys being creative and you can find her making things with her Cricut, painting, or exploring new hobbies in her free time.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Shannon Diachinsky

Shannon loves being a speech-language pathologist! She completed her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta in 2008 and has worked with the pediatric population (ages 0-17 years old) in acute care and community settings (including clinics, daycares, preschools/schools, homes). She has particular interest and specialty in speech sound disorders, toddler/preschooler language development, and social communication differences. She is committed to supporting generalization of speech and language skills from sessions to daily life. Shannon approaches intervention with enthusiasm and positivity, celebrating a family and child’s strengths and working step-by-step with them towards functional gains. With a dash of humour and lots of play, it is her goal for sessions to be fun and encouraging. In her free time, you can find her chasing her four children (and furry pet) around or participating in community theatre productions, either on stage or behind the scenes.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Brooklyn Frunchak

My name is Brooklyn Frunchak. I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2024 with a degree in Elementary Education. Last year, I had the opportunity to teach my own Grade 3 class and worked with a wonderful group of students who taught me the importance of patience, dedication, and a genuine passion for supporting children’s growth. I am currently working as an elementary substitute teacher. I am also working towards my Master’s degree online in Speech Language Pathology through Pennsylvania Western University.
Outside of work and school, I enjoy outdoor activities such as dirt biking, mountain biking, backcountry camping, fishing, and skiing. I also have a strong passion for music and dance. I grew up playing the tenor saxophone, guitar, and drums, and danced competitively in various styles for many years.

Certified Teacher

Melissa Stewart

Hi there! I’m Melissa Stewart, a Speech-Language Pathologist with 20 years of experience supporting children and youth ages 2–18. I have a special interest in preschool speech and language development, childhood apraxia of speech, and early literacy skills. I grew up in rural Nova Scotia, where my love for the ocean—and seafood—first began. While I’ll always be a Maritimer at heart, I’ve proudly called Alberta home for the past 12 years. I share my life with my partner and our two fur babies. When I’m not at work, you’ll likely find me painting, catching a movie, or relaxing on my deck birdwatching. I feel truly privileged to be part of a profession that not only allows me to work with children—keeping me young at heart—but also to support clients and their families through meaningful and sometimes challenging times.