iTAWC (pronounced “I-talk”) is the first and only intensive aphasia program available in all of Western Canada, and has been running continuously since 2011. Located in beautiful Vancouver, we provide evidence-based, personalized, intensive aphasia therapy. Although our aphasia program location in Vancouver, British Columbia may provide especially convenient access to those in western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and the western United States (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah), we welcome clients from all corners of Canada, the United States, and beyond. We also offer M-iTAWC pronounced “My-Talk”, which stands for Modified Intensive Treatment for aphasia in Western Canada. This is for people who wish to take intensive aphasia treatment on an individual basis. Our program is an “ICAP” (standing for Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program) and is one of only a handful of such programs world-wide. Within iTAWC, we provide treatment that is recovery-based alongside treatment that is focused on increasing social participation. Technology is used as appropriate for our clients for reaching both of these goals. Please take A Closer Look at our program to learn more about the structure and approaches used. Upcoming Programs Our spring 2025 program, scheduled for June 16th – July 11th, is open for registration on a first-come-first-served basis. It will take place at our offices, conveniently located on West Broadway and serviced by rapid transit in Vancouver. For further registration details or information please check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us at itawc@columbiaspeech.com or 604-875-9100 to request an application package. Mission Statement At iTAWC, our mission is to provide evidenced-based therapy and treatment for people with aphasia, focused on both recovery of function and increased life participation; to build capacity for aphasia treatment by providing clinical training for future clinicians; and to provide a foundation upon which future research into aphasia treatment can be conducted. Core Values and Beliefs The ability to communicate is an essential component of an individual’s quality of life Each person with aphasia is an individual who must be respected as an expert in their own aphasia and their own aphasia symptoms; their treatment must be personalized to their goals and needs People with chronic aphasia can improve their communication regardless of time post onset, with appropriately focused and intense aphasia treatment The social network of people with aphasia is an essential part of their lives and their recovery in and out of therapy Future service delivery to people with aphasia will be enhanced by future clinicians receiving increased exposure both to people with aphasia and to current evidence-based treatment methods as part of their clinical training Future research into the efficacy of various aphasia treatment methods is necessary We are now accepting registrations for our Spring 2025 program on a first come first served basis....
Alisa Ferdinandi, Consultant Speech-Language Pathologist & iTAWC Lead ClinicianAlisa is the lead clinician and driving force behind iTAWC, rallying our entire team with her boundless energy and gentle nature! She loves interacting with people and believes that communication is what connects us with others and enhances our quality of life. Alisa is a 15-year veteran of the field and has spent most of her career providing community-based rehabilitation for adults who have communication difficulties as a result of stroke or brain injury.
Working with people with aphasia is Alisa’s particular passion and she has carved a specialty in this area, running not only iTAWC but also two “social participation” group programs for people with chronic aphasia. Alisa is also an active and popular clinical instructor, training as many as eight speech pathology student interns each year.
Wendy Duke, Speech-Language Pathologist, Director & Administrative Lead for iTAWCWendy Duke, the founder and Director of Columbia Speech and Language Services Inc, has assisted Alisa Ferdinandi in the development of iTAWC from the outset and shares Alisa’s passion for this work. Wendy is a 34-year veteran of speech-language pathology and has worked with people with aphasia in acute care, rehabilitation, extended care and in the community. In addition, she has been active in clinical teaching for 30 years, holding the rank of Clinical Assistant Professor in the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences where she is also a sessional instructor, teaching students about acquired language disorders including aphasia. She is not only committed to her clients but also to her students; she feels strongly that new graduates entering speech-language pathology need more practical experience getting to know people with aphasia and is pleased to be able to provide experiences that are as rewarding to her students as they are to her clients.
iTAWC is the second of three aphasia treatment projects developed collaboratively by Alisa and Wendy at Columbia Speech and Language Services Inc. They also developed a long running group program for people with chronic aphasia which is funded by the Fraser Health Authority Acquired Brain Injury Program and is free to eligible residents of the Fraser Health Region of British Columbia, as well as a new group program that is run in partnership with the Semiahmoo House Society Brain Injury Program.
Michelle Harris, Consultant Speech-Language PathologistMichelle is passionate about building meaningful relationships with her clients and their family, providing treatment that focuses on increasing life participation, and continually growing in a profession that is so broad and diverse! She has experience working with a wide range of adults with aphasia, as she previously led our Aphasia conversation group here at Columbia. Michelle works part-time and she is truly an amazing asset to our team.
ren Salamon, Consultant Speech-Language PathologistKaren brings an amazing breadth and depth of experience to iTAWC, having worked with adults with aphasia at Columbia Speech and Language Services Inc. for over ten years after previous clinical work as an SLP in the US, Israel and Europe. We are very grateful for the broad perspective and experience she brings to the iTAWC team! She loves her hands-on work with clients and their families as well as her clinical teaching with UBC speech and language interns. Karen always maintains a “focus on function” in her approach to aphasia treatment and her clients benefit from both her practical nature and her passion. She is happy to be returning to iTAWC this year and we are happy to have her back.
Jeness Cossette, Consultant Speech-Language PathologistJeness believes that speech-language therapy should be functional and collaborative, in order to help individuals meet their goals and succeed in communicating in all contexts that are important to them. According to Jeness, speech-Language pathology is the ideal area where her “interest in language and passion for helping others intersect.” As is the case with our entire team, she joined iTAWC because she loves the opportunity it provides her to work intensively and closely with clients during their recovery.
Jessica Barclay, Consultant Speech-Language PathologistJessica was inspired to focus her studies on speech-language pathology after volunteering with a person with aphasia in an outpatient rehabilitation program. She enjoys connecting with her clients and their family members through her positive and patient demeanor. She believes that we all have individual strengths that can be harnessed to support areas of need. She uses this philosophy while she works with clients across the lifespan with a unique range of communication needs. The positive impact of speech and language therapy on overall life participation and satisfaction, for people of all ages and ability levels, continues to motivate her.
Combined, our team has close to a century of experience providing aphasia therapy and an unparalleled passion for our work. We look forward to working with you!