Dr. Deryk Beal is an Associate Professor in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto and a Senior Scientist at the Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where he is the Director of the CONNECT Lab and the Chair of the Research Ethics Board. He entered academia after several years of practice as a paediatric speech-language pathologist at SickKids Hospital. His research focuses on understanding speech and language development in children and youth, inclusive best practices for care, and treatment innovation. Dr. Beal is the Vice-Chair of the Awards Selection Committee of the national ENRICH (Empowering Next generation Researchers in Child and perinatal Health) training platform.
Dr. Beal’s research examines how brain development shapes speech and language learning in children and youth and best practices for inclusive care. The long-term goal of his research is to create sensitive, strength-based assessment approaches and personalized educational and rehabilitation programs to support speech and language learning in children and youth. His research has impacted care for children with speech-motor control and language learning challenges in the contexts of stuttering, apraxia, brain injury, cerebral palsy and autism. Methodologies used include neuromodulation (tDCS, TMS), neuroimaging (MRI, fMRI, DWI, EEG, MEG), speech adaptation, and qualitative approaches. Dr. Beal’s research has been funded by CIHR, NSERC, CFI, and the Holland Bloorview Foundation.
Dr. Beal serves as a primary and co-supervisor for graduate students in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Program in Neuroscience, and Institute for Biomedical Engineering. He teaches SLP1509 Integrating Client, Practitioner, and Research Knowledge in Practice.
Active Research Funding:
Beal (PI), Advancing neuromodulation for paediatric rehabilitation. Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). 2024-2027
Beal (PI). Causal mapping of the speech-motor learning neural network using robotic transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging. Holland Bloorview Foundation Catalyst Grant. 2025-2026
Beal (Co-I). Empowering Next generation Researchers in perinatal and Child Health (ENRICH). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health Research Training Platform in Human Development, Child and Youth Health. PI: Susan Samual. 2022-2027
Beal (Co-I). Neuroimaging reveals treatment related changes – A focus on late talking. National Institutes of Health (NIH). National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. PI: Karla Washington. 2023-2026
Beal (Consultant). Neuroimaging reveals treatment related changes in DLD: A randomized controlled trial. National Institutes of Health (NIH). National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. PI: Karla Washington. 2021-2027
Awards:
2021 | Early Career Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentorship Award, Graduate Faculty Teaching Awards, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2020 | Dr. Patty Rigby Award for Career Excellence in Supervision and Mentorship, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2017 | Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2016 | Trailblazer Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA. Research Award. Speech-Language Pathology
