York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program
Service Description

The York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program is described in detail on this page.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community and Social Services fund the program. Markham Stouffville Hospital administers it.

	Services Wait For Service Discharge

SERVICES

Level 1 and Level 2 Service

Decisions regarding the best model of service delivery for the family are made with respect to the global needs of the child and family. YRPSLP provides two streams of service defined as Level 1 or Level 2.

• Level 1 Service is available to families with children whose primary needs are speech and language.

• Level 2 Service is appropriate if the child has additional needs other than speech and language: (e.g. motor, developmental, or significant social interaction difficulties) where a team approach to treatment is best.

Assessment

• As part of the referral process, families must complete and return the intake package within two (2) weeks of receipt.

• Treatment options will be provided to families following an assessment of need. This assessment may be either brief or extensive depending on the complexity and age of the child.

• If the child is enrolled with EIS (Early Intervention Services), this assessment may be done in collaboration with the EI (Early Interventionist), and / or OT (Occupational Therapist).

Treatment

If you require a letter for your employer indicating that your child's speech/language intervention occurs during work hours please ask your clinician.

The YRPSLP strives to provide a range of treatment options for families. Treatment must be efficient and functional. It must include comprehensive education to and active participation by the families to allow for carryover in the child's natural environment.

If a child presents with MILD delays or disorders, families will be offered relevant parent education and home programming prior to discharge from YRPSLP.

For children identified with MODERATE and SEVERE delays or disorders, families will be offered relevant parent education and treatment based on type of disorder.

Types of intervention:

1. Parent Treatment Programs / Workshops are often recommended as the first step in the intervention process.

2. Parents may receive support / coaching through consultation sessions to allow them to be active participants in their child's goal selection and intervention.

3. Following parent workshops/consultation sessions, one of our Children’s Treatment Groups may be appropriate.

4. Intervention may also be offered in 6-week cycles, should the child/family require a more direct approach for articulation or language development.

   • Treatment is provided in pairs/groups where possible to provide the child with peer modelling and a more realistic therapeutic environment, allowing for earlier transfer of skills from the clinical environment to their real life.

   • If a child cannot tolerate a pair/group setting, is not learning in a group setting, or a group cannot be found for the child, then individual therapy may be offered.

   • During each cycle of therapy, families receive coaching on how to implement suggestions to target the child's goals at home.

   • Following a cycle, children will be on a consolidation period where families are provided further suggestions to continue working on the skills the child has learned.

5. Children who are challenged to make weekly gains during an intensive therapy cycle, are provided with our consultative service. A SLP/ CDA will provide the family and treatment team (including EI, OT, and childcare) with suggestions to facilitate the development of predetermined speech and language goals.

   • Consultations are scheduled approximately once every 7 – 9 weeks

   • Depending on the richness of the team, (e.g some families have an active EI or trained mediator) the YRPSLP may only need to be involved in the program planning for the child and be available on an as-needed basis.

WAIT TIME FOR SERVICE

• There is a wait of approximately 6 months for assessment.

• Parent education programs will occur 1 – 3 months following the assessment when space is available.

• Consultations commence 3 to 4 months following the assessment.

• 6-week cycles will require a wait of 3 to 4 months from assessment.

• If a child requires additional treatment following a cycle or parent program, there is a four-month consolidation period between interventions during which parents will have a home program to work on with their child.

DISCHARGE

Children are discharged from YRPSLP for the following reasons:

• Attending Senior Kindergarten: All children are discharged following their final cycle during the Junior Kindergarten year.

• Speech and language skills are measured to be mildly delayed or within normal limits: this can be determined at the time of assessment or when the child's skills improve with intervention.

• Family's attendance is poor (i.e. repeated cancellations, 2 no show appointments, and repeatedly deferring cycles of treatment).

• Cannot make contact with the family.