Speech is how we shape our sounds; sound errors may be due to difference/concerns in the area of muscles (e.g. low(er) muscle tone), structure /posture (e.g. open mouth posture, narrow/higher palate), brain (e.g. messages sent from the brain are ‘incorrect’ or blurred, such as motor speech disorder/child apraxia of speech).  Language includes areas in vocabulary, sentence structures, grammar, social language.  Social language skills describe how and what we communicate during our daily interactions with others.   This may include non-verbal communication, such as eye contact, body language, words chosen, and how appropriate our chosen messages are in a context. 

An assessment usually takes from 1- to 1-hour and 30 minutes, and its purpose is to establish a child’s overall communication profile.  Depending on the age and ability to engage in interactions during the presence of our therapist, an assessment may involve structured activities, parent report/questionnaire, observation of a child’s communication and play skills, social skills and play activities.  An accurate and thorough assessment is the key to identify communication needs, form goals and treatment plans, as well as to determine whether to refer for additional services.

Each therapy visit focuses on specific speech and language goals formulated during the initial assessment. Therapy sessions usually last about an-hour.  Your therapist will use age-appropriate and motivating activities while providing parents strategies and suggestions for home practice.  We also encourage parents to participate during our visits as regular home practice is essential in continuous progress in your child’s speech and language development.  Frequency and duration of visits are determined by the needs of your child, either weekly or every other week.  Currently, we are providing visits over Zoom.

Government-funded speech ang language services are categorized into 2 age groups – before age five and school-age.  A child may qualify to receive publicly funded speech and language services from agencies such as Early Abilities (Toronto) and York Region Preschool Speech and Language Services.  Families of school-age students with speech and language are recommended to discuss with their children’s teachers to determine eligibility of services.  Private insurance benefits often cover a set amount of speech and language services.