Assessments
This is typically the first step with any Speech Pathologist. The purpose of an assessment is to identify any areas of a child's speech and language skills that are less developed than we would expect for his or her age and developmental level. (See the section Speech & Language Skills for an in-depth discussion of various aspects of communication skills). An assessment includes:
Assessments for all children are enjoyable. Young children play with toys while older children will often play games as part of the assessment. Recommendations for further treatment and suggestions of activities to do at home are discussed. This first session is usually one hour in length.
Reports may be requested following an assessment. Parents often share these with daycare or school staff, their family doctors and/or paediatrician, and other professionals who may be involved in the care of a child. There is an additional charge for reports.
- hearing from parents about their concerns
- observing the child play, listen and use language spontaneously
- completing formal, standardized tests as appropriate in order to determine specific profiles of skills and weaknesses
- discussing results with parents
- making recommendations about how to communicate most effectively and how to model speech-language skills that the child can learn from us
- discussing whether SLP treatment would be appropriate at this time
Assessments for all children are enjoyable. Young children play with toys while older children will often play games as part of the assessment. Recommendations for further treatment and suggestions of activities to do at home are discussed. This first session is usually one hour in length.
Reports may be requested following an assessment. Parents often share these with daycare or school staff, their family doctors and/or paediatrician, and other professionals who may be involved in the care of a child. There is an additional charge for reports.
Speech-Language Therapy
It may appear that children in speech/language therapy are just playing, but they are really hard at work... concentrating, attempting to use new sounds or words, and gaining knowledge they can access in the future. Therapy sessions are organized to work on specific speech and/or language goals within engaging activities. Children enjoy the sessions and are usually excited to return for more. Parents typically watch and participate in sessions; in doing so, they learn skills for additional practice of their child's goals during the week.
Therapy schedules are different for each child and family. Sessions are typically one hour or 45 minutes in length. Half-hour appointments are sometimes appropriate. Sessions are generally scheduled weekly but may be also conducted twice-weekly, every second week, or monthly.
The length of treatment also varies from one child to another. Sometimes only a few therapy sessions are required. Most often children require additional time to acquire new speech and language patterns. For children who are well behind the expectations for their age and who learn slowly, therapy can continue for months or sometimes years.
I usually conduct assessments and treatment at my home in Peterborough.
Therapy schedules are different for each child and family. Sessions are typically one hour or 45 minutes in length. Half-hour appointments are sometimes appropriate. Sessions are generally scheduled weekly but may be also conducted twice-weekly, every second week, or monthly.
The length of treatment also varies from one child to another. Sometimes only a few therapy sessions are required. Most often children require additional time to acquire new speech and language patterns. For children who are well behind the expectations for their age and who learn slowly, therapy can continue for months or sometimes years.
I usually conduct assessments and treatment at my home in Peterborough.