Speech-Language Pathology

• Geographic Criteria: Children living in Durham Region.
• Age Criteria: Preschool children are eligible from birth until the summer before they start school.

Diagnostic Criteria: Concerns with potential delays in expressive and/or receptive communication skills. Families are able to initiate a self-referral for speech and language services. No medical referral is required.

What does a speech and language assessment look like?

During the first assessment, the Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) will talk with you about your child’s development and how he/she communicates and understands.

How does the SLP complete an assessment?

The SLP will gather information about the various components of communication through:

• Parent/caregiver reporting
• Observation/interaction through play with your child
• Formal assessment tools (if appropriate)

What follows after the SLP assessment?

At the end of the appointment (or at a subsequent appointment, if required), the SLP will explain the results of the assessment and discuss specific goals to address your child’s communication difficulties. Treatment to target these goals will also be proposed (specific types of treatments are described below).

After the initial assessment, the SLP will discuss an appropriate intervention (focused on parent/caregiver coaching) to address the child’s specific goals. This will likely include a parent workshop and/or individual or group coaching sessions. Depending on the child’s age and communication needs,  they may be eligible for a reassessment in six months.  

At Grandview Kids, the following interventions may be provided:

• Parent Workshops – provide families with the opportunity to learn how to help children achieve the specific communication goals identified during the assessment. Workshops are led by an SLP or Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA), and involve a combination of discussions, videos, hands-on practice, and home activities.

• Hanen-based Workshops – We offer adapted versions of the It Takes Two to Talk and More Than Words Programs. Hanen workshops are highly interactive, virtual trainings that offer evidence-based strategies for coaching parents in developing their child’s social interaction and language skills. Parents will learn through 2.5 to 3-hour adult only virtual workshops, personalized home plans, and individual coaching sessions. For more information on these programs please visit Hanen.org. 

• Parent-Child Groups – provide families with the opportunity to practice the strategies introduced during the workshop. Speech and Language clinicians will provide coaching and feedback so that families feel confident in using these strategies to help children practice new speech and language skills.

• Individual or group coaching – offers parent coaching to teach strategies to target children’s speech and language goals during daily routines, play interactions and book sharing interactions at home. The goal of the session is to ensure that families feel comfortable with the strategies being recommended to help children practice new speech and language skills.

• Individual Treatment – therapists will work with the family and child directly to target individual goals. The therapist will work with the family to determine effective strategies to promote communication development and to develop a home programming plan.   

• Re-Assessments – provides an opportunity for the SLP and family to discuss the child’s overall progress and family goals and identify ongoing needs for therapy. Reassessments typically occur every six months. 

Public School:

As your child approaches his/her first year of kindergarten, the SLP will discuss the transition to school-based services. The final speech and language assessment will be completed before your child’s first year of Kindergarten, and a report summarizing your child’s communication goals and next steps will be provided.  With your consent, a copy of the final speech and language report can be forwarded to the school board. You are encouraged to share a copy of this report with your child’s teacher/education team.   

If you have concerns about your child’s social interaction or language skills (e.g., ability to interact with peers, participate in the classroom, understand instructions, communicate their thoughts and needs, literacy development), please speak to your school to discuss further supports.  Your Grandview Kids SLP may be available to discuss your child’s needs with relevant school personnel. 

If your child has difficulty with speech production skills (e.g., pronunciation or ability to speak clearly), stuttering, or voice your Grandview Kids SLP will determine if they qualify for a referral to School_Based Rehabilitation Services.  . Your child must be registered for public school for this to be completed.  

Private School:

If you are interested in accessing additional speech and language support at your child’s school, please discuss a referral to School Health Support Services via Ontario Health atHome with your child’s principal/special education team. A referral from the student’s school principal or special education representative is required. Parents may contact either the school or Ontario Health atHome (1-800-263-3877 extension 5100) to begin the process. Eligible services will not be initiated until a referral is received from the school and an assessment and care plan have been completed by a care coordinator.  

Home Schooling:

As your child is home-schooled, your child may be eligible for services via Ontario Health atHome. Parents and families can refer directly to Ontario Health atHome. If you are interested in accessing additional speech and language support for your child, please call 1-800-263-3877 extension 5100 (Intake) for more information on School Health Support Services for home schooling.  

For all general inquiries, information on additional resources, or to speak with a team member about making a referral or eligibility criteria, please visit our Referral Page.  Our Service Navigation team will happily answer your questions and connect your child with the appropriate services to meet their needs.

Speech and Language Milestones

Click here  to view the York Region Preschool Speech and Language’s website or here (Communication Milestones: Age Ranges) to view the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website which lists developmental milestones that young children progress through as they learn to communicate. 

• Speech and Language Milestones

Find a private service provider

• Speech-Language and Audiology Canada have a professional directory on their website where you can find a Speech-Language Pathologist in your area.
• College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists Ontario to “Find a Practitioner.”

Grandview Kids’ Webinar Series

As a parent/caregiver, you are your child’s best teacher! Daily routines, play and book-sharing provide powerful opportunities to build your child’s communication skills. In the webinars linked below, you will learn useful strategies to use during everyday interactions with your child. Please click on the titles of each webinar series to watch them.

Written materials and handouts

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For more resources on developmental milestones, links to available workshops, and tips to support your child please visit our Resources page.