Connecting with Therapy Services

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) work together with parents/guardians, teachers and other professionals to support children to communicate successfully in a variety of situations: with family, friends, in classrooms and other community locations.

Speech-Language Pathologists look at a all parts of communication:

• Articulation/phonology: the production of sounds in words
• Language skills: understanding and using vocabulary, concepts, grammar; following directions, sequencing events
• Interaction skills: engaging in conversations and play, using communication for a variety of needs
• Stuttering: rate and smoothness of speech
• Voice: vocal quality, pitch, volume and resonance
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication: communication using pictures and gestures or technology for children who have difficulty communicating verbally

Physiotherapists (PT) work with children and their caregivers to help each child in reaching their maximum potential, to function independently and to promote active participation in home, school, and community environment.

Physiotherapists:

• Assess and provide recommendations to promote muscle strength, flexibility, motor development, balance, coordination and endurance
• May provide consultation in the areas of breathing, reducing pain and staying active
• Work with other team members to look at equipment that may improve a child’s ability to participate, such as a walker or modified bike.

A child’s life is made up of “occupations,” or daily activities that they need to do or want to do.

Occupational therapists (OT) work with children and their families to help them participate and succeed in the following areas:

• Hand skills for play and everyday tasks (e.g., holding a bottle or holding a crayon)
• Eating, dressing, sleeping, using the toilet
• Learning new play skills
• Getting ready for school (e.g., learning colors, numbers, letters)
• Paying attention (e.g., learning to listen)
• Making and playing with friends (e.g., learning to take turns; peek-a-boo)
• Learning to calm down (e.g., difficulty with transitions, tantrums)
• Understanding and managing sensory difficulties, (e.g., sensitivity to sounds, clothing or foods)
• Home and community access (e.g., bath equipment, ramps, strollers, wheelchairs)

Your Occupational therapist will work closely with you, your child and other team members as needed to make a plan to help your child be as independent as possible and reach their full potential.

Audiologists are experts who help to prevent, diagnose, and treat hearing  disorders of all ages including children. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for each child and family by enhancing the ability to hear, understand, and communicate.

Audiologists:

• Supervise and conduct newborn hearing screening programs
• Diagnose and provide recommendations for hearing loss and hearing disorders in newborns, infants, children and adults
• Prescribe and fit hearing aids and other assistive listening devices
• Assess how the brain processes sounds (called auditory processing disorders)
• Work with parents/caregivers, early intervention programs, teachers of the Deaf and hard of hearing , to support the needs of children diagnosed with hearing loss