Owner/Speech Language Pathologist

Renée Bruder is the proud owner of Heyday Speech & Language Therapy! Her special interest in and extensive knowledge of neurodiversity-affirming care has allowed her to grow Heyday as the go-to for autistic children in Northern Utah. As a neurodivergent SLP (hello fellow ADHDers!), she understand the importance of valuing individual strengths and honoring differences while supporting communication skills. You won’t find her using compliance-based approaches- authentic and meaningful communication is always the goal.

For 4 years, while earning her Bachelor’s degree at Portland State University, Renée was the caretaker at the Mazama Lodge, a mountainside lodge for skiers and mountain climbers, on Mount Hood. Her love of the outdoors brought her to Utah where she completed her Master’s at the University of Utah.

When Renée is not working with kids or learning all she can about neurodiversity-affirming care, you’ll find her camping, hiking, knitting, cuddling with her two cats, and sharing life with her wonderful husband in beautiful Cottonwood Heights, Utah.

Renée also offers consultations and parent and professional trainings on neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Special Certifications/Training:

• Certified Gestalt Language Processing provider (Meaningful Speech)

• Certified Advanced Training for Childhood Apraxia of Speech using the DTTC approach.

• Training in Strengths-Based Approaches to Autism

• Training in Sensory Supports

Speech Language Pathologist

Nicole has been a certified and licensed speech language pathologist for the past 17 years! She has worked in the school districts, private practice, and in early intervention. She knew early in life that she wanted to work with children and become a speech therapist.

Nicole grew up in Utah and returned home after attending graduate school and working in Southern California for a few years.

Nicole’s work is driven by her passion for working with families and their children to help them reach their full potential.

Nicole considers herself a student for life and loves learning. She is a big believer in continuing to grow through continuing education to further develop her skills and adapt with the profession.

Nicole’s favorite role in her life is being a mother to her special needs son. Nicole says, “He has taught me more in the last 6 years than I could have ever imagined and has forever changed me as a therapist. It has allowed me to develop more skills in patience, communication, and empathetic emotional support. My personal experience over the last 6 years has given me renewed enthusiasm about giving back to clients and families as a speech language pathologist.” 

When Nicole is not working, you can find her baking, spending time with her family and caring for and perfecting her sourdough starter.

Special Certifications:

• Hanen It Takes Two To Talk- a parent-implemented early language intervention program for young children (birth-5).