Information For Physicians

Early detection of communication delays, dysfluent speech, cognitive delays, social impairments, including PDD and autism are critical to positive outcomes.

The Child Development Programs accept referrals from birth to the fall of the child's junior kindergarten year.

A hearing loss can impact these delays or be mistaken for these disorders. Visit the Infant Hearing Program section of this website for more information about hearing issues.

• Did You Know? Facts About Speech & Language

• Tri-Regional Infant Hearing Program and Blind - Low Vision Early Intervention Program
  Markham Stouffville Hospital is the lead agency for York, Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge Regions' Infant Hearing and Blind - Low Vision Programs

• Red Flags - York Region's Quick Reference Guide for Early Years professionals. .

• Diagnostic Assessment and Consultaiton Services (DACS)

• When Speech Sounds Are Acquired - Developmental Norms
  See developmental normative scales that we use to measure a child's speech and language delay.

• When Speech Grammar Is Acquired - Developmental Norms
  See developmental normative scales that we use to measure a child's language delay.

• Stuttering
  What to do when a child often hesitates or repeats himself.

• Communication Tips for Preschool Children
  There are many ways to foster a child's speech and language skills. Our Communication Tips provide additional ideas and language skills to promote speech specific to the child's age.

• Hearing Checklist
  A checklist for hearing problems from birth to 5 years of age.

• Communication Disorder Terms and Abbreviations
  A list of communication disorder definitions and terms.

• Speech & Language Program Service Description
  See a detailed description of the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program.

To Make a Referral:

Physicians may facilitate referrals to the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program in two ways:

1. Complete the appropriate Physician E.R.I.K. Early Referral Identification Kit with written permission from the family; the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program's intake worker will then contact the family by phone to complete the intake
   
   
   
2. Suggest the family phone 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) to make the referral

Families are then mailed a questionnaire to be filled in and sent back to their area office in preparation for the assessment. Families may request assistance from the physician to fill in this form accurately.

Eligibility Criteria For YRPSLP?
Who is eligible for our program and where else can you get help if a child is not eligible?