FAQ - Speech Specialists

What is a Speech Language Pathologist?

Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) or Speech Therapists assess, diagnose, and provide treatment for communication and swallowing disorders in children, adults, and seniors. Our speech therapists believe in a multidisciplinary approach and closely work with other professionals to provide effective treatment to our clients.

What is a Communicative Disorders Assistant?

A Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA) provides treatment for communication and swallowing disorders in children, adults, and seniors under the supervision of a Speech Language Pathologist.

I’m worried that my child may have a speech or language problem but I’m not sure. What do I do?

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, you should consider getting an initial assessment by a Speech Language Pathologist.
Speech and language development has certain milestones that should be met as the child grows. While every child is different, a general guideline for speech and communication skills can be looked at to see what is expected from a child of a certain age. The guideline is available here for your convenience.

My child is only 18 months old. Is she too young for speech therapy?

No. A child can be referred to a speech language pathologist as early as 12 months. At earlier stages of development, a therapist will do an assessment of skills, provide caregiver training, and monitor development of skills over time. Remember, early intervention is always better for speech development!

How long will my child need therapy? How many sessions will we do every week?

The # of sessions required will depend on a variety of factors. For instance, a child with an articulation disorder may require 10-15 sessions depending on the severity of the issue. The # of sessions/week will be decided upon by the Speech Language Pathologist once an assessment has been completed. The SLP will also be able to answer more questions once the child has been assessed.

Can parents participate in therapy? I want to help support my child at home.

Absolutely! The Speech Specialists strongly believe in a family centered approach to therapy which means that we try to involve caregivers and family members in the therapy sessions as much as possible. In addition, our therapists provide resources and a home program which will help complement therapy. The purpose of the home program is to help encourage the use of skills learnt in therapy in the home environment.

Is speech therapy covered by OHIP?

No. Private speech therapy services provided by the Speech Specialists are not covered by OHIP. However, many private health insurance companies cover speech therapy services in their plan. In addition, there are a variety of charitable organizations that offer financial support to families that require speech therapy services. Contact us today for more information about financing.

Do I need a referral from a doctor?

No, a referral from a doctor is not required. If you are concerned about your loved one’s communication, you can self – refer.

Why should I choose Speech Specialists for my child’s therapy needs?

It is very important to choose a therapist that is going to fit the needs of your child and your family. Here are some things to consider:

1. Knowledge and Experience
   The Speech Language Pathologists and therapists at Speech Specialists are all highly experienced in the areas of language and communication disorders. They have been working with speech and language delay, articulation, autism, fluency, and motor speech disorders for many years. Therefore, you can be sure that they will know the best treatment for your child and will provide therapy that is current and research-based.
2. Child-Friendly
   Another very important aspect of therapy is whether your child is comfortable with the therapist. Our therapists are wonderful at building rapport with children and their parents. We do this by:
   • We will get down on the floor to play with your child in order to engage them in the therapy process
   • Our therapists will work on finding out your child’s interests ahead of therapy sessions so we can make the therapy experience fun and effective at the same time.
   • When your child enjoys the therapy process, learning will be fun and easy!
3. Parents as Intervention Partners
   As a company, Speech Specialists approach towards therapy is extremely family centered. We strongly believe that parents need to be involved with the therapy process. To truly make a difference in your child’s life, our therapists will train you to help your child so you can be confident in helping your child on a day to day basis.