Char Boshart, M.A., CCC-SLP

Char Boshart is a therapist, seminar presenter, published author, and president of Speech Dynamics. She has several CEU videos on SpeechTherapypd.com, writes a weekly idea-oriented blog called Therapy Matters, and is host of the podcast, The Speech Link. 

She graduated with her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University under the tutelage of Dr. VanRiper (the "father of articulation"). Since that time, she's worked many years in the public schools, clinical setting, private practice, and as an Assistant Professor and Department Chair at Loma Linda University. 

She has presented numerous well-received one- and two-day articulation and language seminars through Speech Dynamics, the Bureau of Education and Research (BER), as well as associations and school-districts. 

                                       A Few Fun Facts About Char

My first therapy experience (back in the day) was at a school for severely impaired children. Dr. Hartley drove up to the curb and said, “They’re expecting you, go figure it out.” So, I got out, and figured it out. I met the kids and figured out they were bored to death. The second day, I had my guitar in tow. We addressed the boredom and got some great interaction, using music. I’ll always remember those sweet smiling faces. 

Before I speak to a group of SLPs, I “anchor.” What's that?  Catch yourself at an emotional high then do a physical trigger to anchor the feeling. I first anchored walking across Zimmerman Elementary after an incredible co-teaching experience with a first-grade teacher. I bent both index fingers and interlocked them. You may see me do this prior to getting up to speak. It still works! 

I spent from 1978 researching and talking with professionals prior to putting together my first seminar in 1993. In my more gutsy days, I walked into the School of Physiology and Pharmacology at Loma Linda University and asked to speak with a professor about muscles. I met Dr. Hall--nicest man in the world, and wow, did he know his stuff.  He was an expert on tongue muscles and function.  That first encounter turned into two-years. He guided me toward articles and books. That’s where I first learned about the “muscular hydrostat” and mid-tongue contraction. Thanks so much, Dr. Hall, I miss you.