Speech-language Connections is a group of SLPs and SLP assistants who, quite simply, care. We represent more than 100 years of combined experience working with children, and we love what we do.
Lisa Durstin, Founder and Director
I chose speech-language pathology as a second career when life threw me a huge curve and I have never looked back.
“I’ve worked with kids and adults in speech-language pathology since 2003. I am passionate about the ability to read - it’s the key that unlocks everything and it’s intricately linked to language. Shoring up oral language skills is a primary goal for me, whether it be with evaluation or treatment. It makes reading and so much more possible.”
“My perfect day off will always include tennis, good coffee, time with my hubby, and end with a good meal.”
Stephanie Westendorf, SLP
Stephanie’s worked with kids for 8 years and sees students in telepractice.
Stephanie’s speech-language passion is “working with students with complex communication needs and AAC users. I love incorporating virtual building and art games into speech where students get to create something during their sessions while practicing their speech and language skills.”
At home in Florida, the thing Stephanie would like to do most on her perfect day off would be hanging out with her dog Sadie, her friends, and her family.
Ashley Brummer, SLP
Ashley’s worked with kids for 14 years and sees kids in telepractice.
Ashley’s favorite area to work on with students is language, “probably because I love to read and it is really rewarding to help students be able to independently access and understand their school work (and then get to read for their own enjoyment, hopefully!) I also love articulation because seeing their eyes light up when someone can understand something they previously could not is the best! The gift of communication is a blessing! “
Ashley’s perfect day off would be “either helping my husband do some farm project (we have a small homestead with pigs, cows, and chickens) or sitting on the beach reading a book!”
Nichole Ruggles, SLP Assistant
Nichole has worked with kids for over 30 years and sees kids in person. Nichole is currently pursuing ASHA’s new SLPA certification designation.
Nichole is happiest“working with young children with language delays. Activities to expand vocabulary, increase sentence length and complexity and improve comprehension are my favorites. I especially love to use great children's literature to achieve these goals.”
Nichole is an animal lover of the highest order: “The thing I'd like to do most on my perfect day off would be a long trail ride at the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm in Fayston!”
Lisa Ball, SLP Assistant
Lisa has worked with kids for over 19 years and sees kids in person. Lisa is preparing to take the ASHA SLPA certification exam.
Where Lisa finds her passion in speech-language pathology is“working with AAC devices because it gives a voice to those unable to speak and provides them with a way for them to interact socially with their peers. It also provides a way for them to express their wants and needs. These things are very important for everyone to be able to do. They also give students a better overall a quality of life.
One of favorite activities to do with the littles I work with is to play with the farm and animals. You can work on articulation and language skills. Especially if you are working on improving utterances for language. It’s a good way to have fun with them and get them to talk more. Even if they just start by repeating you. Then before you know it, it turns it complete sentences.”
“The thing I like to do on my most perfect day off is to sit at the ocean and enjoy the sunshine.”