Posts by Melissa James

Whether you lisp or someone in your life has a lisp, it's important to be aware of the challenges that can be associated.

Melissa JamesApril 2, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapyspeech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech teacher, lisp, lisps, speech impediment, communication

Lisp: Social Indexing and Identity

A sharper, more “sibilant” production of “s” has become associated with the speech of gay men. The lack of distinction between disorder vs. difference has lead many to associate any type of “s” variation in a male speaker with assumptions of that speaker’s sexuality. However, real lisps, as functional speech disorders, have no correlation with sexual orientation.

Melissa JamesApril 2, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapyspeech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech teacher, lisp, lisps, lisping, adult lisp, adult, gay, gay lisp

Adult vs. Child Lisp

What similar characteristics do Drew Barrymore, Micheal Phelps, and Barbara Walters have in common? Aside from their respective fame, they all share a functional speech impediment, otherwise known as a lisp.

Melissa JamesApril 2, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapyspeech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech teacher, dating, couples communication, relationships, couples counselling, four horseman

Life with a Lisp

Lisping does not necessarily make a person less understandable. Rather, it can be a distraction that leads the listener to focus less on the content of the message and more on the assumptions the listener makes about the speaker.

Melissa JamesApril 2, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapyspeech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech teacher, lisp, lisps, lisping, adult lisp, adult

Ten Tips for a Successful Romantic Relationship

Regardless of which phase of your relationship you are in, the information shared in this blog can be applied.

Melissa JamesApril 2, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapyspeech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech teacher, dating, small talk, first date, couple, couples communication, couples counselling, romance, romantic, romantic relationship, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, marriage

Welcome Michael

Welcoming Michael Johnson, as the newest member on our exceptional clinical team.

Melissa JamesMarch 7, 2018Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy speech-language pathologist, voice teacher, michael, communication coach, communication skills

Mar 26, 2025

Challenges In Verbal Communication In People With Congenital Hearing Loss

Congenital hearing loss means hearing loss that is present at birth. This causes difficulties in speaking and in understanding speech. If not treated adequately, children with congenital hearing loss often have inadequate speech and language skills which might persist into adulthood.

Mar 19, 2025

Understanding Emotions Through Facial Expressions

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) at Well Said, I sometimes work with clients on social communication skills, including the ability to recognize and interpret emotions. One of the most powerful tools we have for understanding how others feel is their facial expressions. The face is a window into emotions, and learning to read it can improve your relationships, communication, and empathy. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to the work of Dr. Paul Ekman, a pioneer in the study of emotions and facial expressions.

Mar 5, 2025

Apraxia Of Speech In Adults - Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Apraxia is a neurological condition, where a person is unable to do a task intentionally, even though they do not have any muscle weakness or incoordination. Apraxia is caused due to damage in the areas of the brain that are responsible for motor planning and motor execution. Because of this, people with Apraxia find it difficult to perform a task when instructed.

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