Zashchipas Yuliia

In June 2014, I graduated with honors from the M.P. Drahomanov National Pedagogical University* with a Master’s degree in "Correctional Education. Speech Therapy (Logopedics) and Special Psychology." I obtained the qualifications of "Speech Therapist. Practical Psychologist for special educational institutions. Lecturer in Correctional Pedagogy and Special Psychology."

• I hold a certificate of participation in the 1st International Scientific and Practical Conference "Current Issues in Speech Therapy" (2011). In 2013, I was recognized as one of the Top 150 students in Kyiv.
• In 2013, I won first place in the 9th All-Ukrainian Student Olympiad in the specialty "Correctional Education. Speech Therapy."

In 2023, I was elected President of the Ukrainian Association of Speech and Language Therapists.

Experience and Scientific Activity

I participated in a spring camp for children with maxillofacial pathology (cleft lip and palate), organized by the National Specialized Children's Hospital "OHMATDYT" and the International Charity "Smile Train" (USA), together with their representatives — doctors and students from Florida (USA).

I have authored scientific papers on the following topics: "Psychophysiological and Neuropsychological Research of Stuttering" and "Neuropsychological Features of Thinking."

From October 2013 to June 2014, I worked as a Methodologist for Scientific Work at the Institute of Correctional Pedagogy and Psychology.

My primary specialization is the neurorehabilitation of adult patients dealing with the consequences of central nervous system damage. I firmly believe that brain plasticity allows for significant progress even in complex cases when evidence-based therapy methods are applied.

My clinical practice focuses on:

• Post-stroke speech recovery (Aphasia treatment): Working with all forms of speech disorders — from total loss of speech to difficulties with word retrieval or comprehension.

• Diagnosis and therapy of swallowing disorders (Dysphagia): Ensuring safe nutrition, selecting appropriate food textures, and restoring the swallowing reflex to prevent aspiration pneumonia.

• Correction of motor speech disorders: Treating dysarthria (slurred speech) and apraxia of speech (impairment in planning speech movements).

• Restoration of cognitive-communication skills: Training memory, attention, and executive functions that directly impact the quality of communication.

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Implementing special communication tools (gestures, communication boards, digital apps) for patients who currently lack verbal speech.

I continuously improve my skills by integrating modern international rehabilitation protocols into my practice.

For me, Speech and Language Therapy is not just a medical discipline; it is a bridge that reconnects a person to society, their family, and themselves.

A stroke often divides life into "before" and "after," taking away what is most precious — the ability to say "I love you," ask for help, or simply express a thought. I chose this profession because:

1. I believe in the power of communication. Speech is the foundation of human essence. Helping a patient find their voice again is both a tremendous responsibility and a privilege.

2. I am inspired by neuroplasticity. Medicine has proven that the brain is capable of learning throughout life. Seeing a patient who was silent yesterday pronounce their first word today is the best motivation for me as a clinician.

3. I aim to improve quality of life. My goal is not only to treat the impairment but to adapt the patient to daily life, teach them to swallow their favorite food safely, and help them feel like a full participant in conversations.

In my work, I follow the principle of partnership: we work as a team with the patient and their family, overcoming the path of recovery step by step.