Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy – Preschool
Speech and Language services are provided to children who are having difficulty with: clear speech, using words, expressing thoughts, understanding language, following directions, interacting with others, stuttering, voice, and/or early literacy. Speech and Language therapy uses a variety of techniques to help improve a child’s ability to communicate.
Who We Are:
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are regulated healthcare professionals who work with Communicative Disorders Assistants (CDA) to help children develop communication, literacy, and feeding/ eating skills.
SLPs have a master’s degree and must be registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario.
CDAs have a post-secondary diploma and provide therapy under the supervision of an SLP.
What We Provide:
Speech and Language Pathologists and Communicate Disorders Assistants may provide:
- Assessments which may include a review of your child’s history, a clinical observation of your child’s skills, a standardized test, and caregiver observations/ interviews.
- SLPs work with the family to identify goals that are important to the child and their caregivers
- Goals may include:
- Feeding and swallowing
- How your child is communicating with others
- How your child expresses themselves
- How your child understands what others say to them
- How your child moves their mouths to make sounds
- How clearly your child’s speech is to others
- Development of early literacy skills
- How fluently your child speaks
- Goals may include:
- Individual and/or group therapy sessions
- Consultation and home programming for the family
- Consultation and recommendations to community partners
Learn More About:
Early Words
Early Words is the CTC-CK’s Preschool Speech and Language Program, and provides speech and language services for babies and children up to school entry. Through Early Words, the speech and language team help parents, caregivers and professionals learn what they can do to help children learn to talk, understand, and use language.
Families may receive:
- Assessment of speech and language skills
- Consultations in childcare centres, kindergartens, and Ontario EarlyONCentres
- Education opportunities for parents, caregivers, and service providers
- Speech and language therapy
Children can be referred by their doctor, specialist, or the family can self-refer.
On Track
On Track is an accelerated service provided to families with children who display possible signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Your child’s On Track team will be based on your child’s needs and goals.
The On Track team can help with:
- Assisting with early identification and intervention
- Providing family support and resources
- Connecting families with appropriate community partners
Together with your child’s primary therapist, a referral to On Track may be determined to be the best path for your child.
On Track is only available to children who are active clients on the CTC-CK caseload. Please speak with your child’s therapist directly or contact the Centre, 519-354-0520.
How to Refer:
For children ages 0-school entry, referrals can be completed by service providers, childcares or the family can self-refer.
Speech and Language Therapy – School Age
School Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) Program
The School Based Rehabilitation Services (SBRS) program provides Speech Therapy for students from school entry through secondary school exit, with rehabilitation needs that impact their ability to safely access the curriculum and functionally participate, in the following publicly funded school boards: Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB), St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB), and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence
The consultative therapy support provided aims to build capacity within the student, family, and school staff to implement strategies and recommendations that will support the student’s learning, function, and participation at school.
Who We Are:
Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) have a master’s degree and must be registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario.
Communicative Disorders Assistants (CDA) have a post-secondary diploma/ certificate and provide therapy under the supervision of a Speech and Language Pathologist.
What We Provide:
School Based Speech-Language Pathologists assess children and youth who are experiencing difficulties with communication skills. They recommend and offer supports to help children who are having difficulty with: clear speech, stuttering, resonance, voice quality and augmentative communication.
Speech-Language Pathologists consult with parents, teachers, and other school staff on a regular basis.
School Based Rehabilitation Services Speech-Language Pathologists focus on:
- Fluency
- Moderate to severe articulation
- Motor speech difficulties
- Voice and resonance disorders
*Note: Support for language disorders is the role of the school board Speech and Language Pathologists. Please speak with your school principal if you have any questions.
How to Refer:
Connect with Your Child’s School Team
Referrals to this program are made through your child’s school. If you think your child may benefit from these services, we encourage you to speak with your child’s school team to discuss your concerns and whether a referral is appropriate. Children who are already receiving speech therapy services with our preschool team before starting school may be directly referred by Centre preschool staff to SBRS if they meet the program’s eligibility criteria. If concerns about your child’s development or participation at school arise after they have started school, your child’s teacher or school team can work with you to determine whether a referral to SBRS is appropriate.