North Eastern Speech Language Associates

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who couldn't spell. Although she could read, she couldn't even begin to isolate the sounds in words to spell them the right way. She was frustrated. And then her family heard about Speech-Language Pathologist, Karen Hughes. The little girl was diagnosed with a phonological processing disorder and within weeks of working with Hughes, began sounding out words by learning to "feel" the sounds as she spoke the words. Soon after, she began writing words and during her last speech-language therapy session, she was able to sound out and spell one of the largest words in the English language – antidisestablishmentarianism. 

This is only one of the stories that chronicles the success of Karen Hughes' private practice. Based in Antigonish, Northeastern Speech Language Associates(NESLA)has helped over 500 children with various speech delays and difficulties. In fact, Hughes heads the only full time, private Speech-Language Pathology business east of Truro. "I've found it extremely rewarding," she says. "Working with kids is the best part of my work." The other bonus for a Speech-Language Pathologist in private practice is that Hughes can involve whole families in the therapy process.  
 
"It's not just you and the child in a room alone, hoping that you'll make some difference for this child," says Hughes. "You're actively working with the family as well and we're working on targeted goals together." Part of her job is to instruct the family how to continue the teaching at home. "This is much different and more effective than seeing the children in isolation."
 
Educated at Dalhousie University, Hughes began her career within the Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech Centres 30 years ago. She's worked in both Alberta and Nova Scotia, spending the bulk of her career in schools. But it was starting her own business that really re-ignited her passion for this field. "I just decided to take the leap and I've been so renewed in my profession. I really feel that what I'm doing makes a difference."
 
Hughes works mostly with children, although she has occasionally helped adults who have suffered strokes or neurological diseases. The pre-school and school-aged children that she sees all have difficulties communicating. "Speech-language pathology can be a bit misunderstood," says Hughes. "It isn't all related to sound production. It's also the development of language or the development of communication in general." Some of her clients have developmental delays or are autistic, while others have physical handicaps, such as a cleft palate, that prevent them from learning to speak clearly.
 
Sometimes, a family will bring a child who has absolutely no verbal communication skills. Hughes' strategy is to train the child's family on how to facilitate the development of their child's communication. "It's not a sit down drill and practice kind of thing. It's all about stimulation through play," she says. "Play is how children learn."
 
For older children whose speech cannot be understood by anyone but a family member, the speech language therapy would involve more direct work with the child to assist them in learning how to make sounds differently and how to say words more clearly. In this case, Hughes might also come up with an alternate system to help the child communicate. "When a child can't make any of their wants or needs understood, they become very frustrated," says Hughes. "I might give them a picture communication book so they can point and request things that way."
 
The added bonus is that when children point to what they need, parents repeat the word several times. The child hears the word they need to imitate more often, increasing the likelihood that they will be able to learn it. "Teaching another mode of communication really helps take the level of frustration down a notch. When children aren't feeling as upset, they can actually learn better and may experience more success trying new words."
 
No matter the type of help that is being provided, there is one constant. Hughes develops a special connection with each child and it's that connection that helps them learn and be successful.
 
"Brandon" (name has been changed) was one such child. He came to see Hughes on the recommendation of his grandmother, whom he lived with for the summers. Brandon had a very serious speech problem called apraxia. He was seeing a speech language therapist back home in Rhode Island, but the sessions didn't appear to be helping. During his first session with Hughes, the boy made quite an impression. "When I first met him he spit in my face and hit me," Hughes laughs. "His grandmother was horrified."
 
As a seasoned professional, Hughes knew that this was simply a sign that Brandon had endured some difficult moments with speech language therapists in the past. "When traditional speech language therapy doesn't work, children make very slow progress and get very frustrated." Hughes told his grandmother not to worry and got to work. They worked through Brandon's aggression in the first couple of sessions and by the end of the second or third session he was actually having fun.
 
After two summers in Hughes' care, Brandon made excellent progress. His mother couldn't believe the difference in him and today, he's a much happier child. "It was the relationship we were able to establish," says Hughes. "He trusted me and that is really key to making progress."
 
Another ongoing relationship for Hughes has been with four Mi'kmaq schools in Cape Breton. For the last nine years, Hughes and her associates have worked with the staff and students of Mi'kmawey School in Potlotek (Chapel Island), Eskasoni First Nations School, Wagmatcook First Nations School near Baddeck, and We'koqma'q Mi’kmawey School in We'kokma'q (Whycocomagh).
 
“Working with First Nations children in their own communities has been a mutually valuable experience," says Hughes who notes that she's been able to bring them a service that was previously unavailable in their communities. "The trust relationship that has developed has enabled me to provide accessible and effective speech-language intervention to families and schools outside of the regular provincial system.”
 
Not to mention that the opportunity to travel within Nova Scotia as part of her work is immensely pleasing. "Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to be driving along these wonderful windy roads and just around every corner is a beautiful view of the ocean," she says. "When I was living in Alberta, I missed our province so much and felt an instant peace settle on my soul when I returned home."
 
Hughes also enjoys one of the other perks to living in Nova Scotia – word of mouth. Over the last decade in business, Hughes hasn't had to do much other marketing. "That's the majority of my business. When you do something well in Nova Scotia, people talk."