Questions related to our services

Do I need a referral from a doctor?

A doctor’s referral is not required, you can self-refer. Please fill out our online intake form under the Contact tab.

While we do frequently receive referrals from paediatricians, social workers, counsellors, ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) Specialists, Audiologists, Behaviour Consultants and school teams, a referral is not necessary. If you feel your child may benefit from speech and/or language services, you can refer your child for an initial consultation with one of our SLPs.

Does my child need an assessment? Can we start therapy without an assessment?

Every child’s speech and language needs are unique, and we know that for best outcomes, therapy goals consider a child’s strengths and challenges. Assessment helps the SLP determine where a child may have gaps in learning, which is useful in determining priority and procedure for addressing speech and language needs. There is no “one size fits all” solution in speech and language therapy - your child’s intervention plan should reflect their unique situation and address the most important aspects of communication for your child and family. If your child has been recently assessed by another SLP, please provide us with any relevant information (i.e. assessment report/progress notes) so that we can determine what other areas might require further assessment.

My child is a late-talker, should I be concerned?

Children may be considered a “late talker” if they use fewer than 50 words by age 2. While kids may “catch up” to their peers on their own, an SLP can help guide parents and family members in using strategies to promote this growth, as well as monitor your child’s progress. This can be done through consultations with parents and regular check-ins, or even through direct therapy time.

If you have concerns about your child’s talking, an SLP can use assessment to develop strategies suited to your child. We don’t recommend a “wait and see” approach, as direct early intervention can help avoid possible social and emotional consequences that sometimes accompany communication difficulties, even in the early years.

For more information on speech, language and communication milestones, organized by age, please scroll down below.

How often does my child need therapy?

The frequency of therapy services depends on many factors, including diagnosis, severity, financial abilities, as well as parental involvement and availability.

The SLP can discuss the best treatment plan with you, according to your child’s goals. Treatment sessions are usually 1 hour long. We do sometimes offer 30 and 45 minute sessions, according to the needs of your child and your family.

How many therapy sessions will my child need in total?

The duration of therapy will vary depending on the individual needs of your child including their diagnosis, severity of presenting concerns, consistency of home-practice, their speed of learning and more. Some clients may require ongoing therapy services with updates to treatment goals on a routine basis while other clients may benefit from an intensive block of therapy. We recommend speaking with your SLP to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your child. 

How do I initiate the self-referral process?

Please fill out our online intake form under the Contact tab. We will connect with you within 5 business days. If you do not hear from us within 5 business days, please visit www.speechandhearingbc.com to find an SLP in your area.

What information do I need to bring to an initial appointment?

Please bring any relevant medical or school documents, such as previous assessments, hearing screenings/test results, or teacher reports.

If you will be using funding from a program or charity to access speech and language services, please bring the information needed for accessing that funding. This may include identification such as a driver’s license to confirm your legal name and address on file. 

What are my options for paying for speech and language services?

There are many options for accessing funding for speech and language services. You may be eligible for reimbursement through your extended health, or your child may qualify for funding through one of the following programs and charities:

• Autism Funding Unit

• At Home Program

• Variety Children’s Charity

• CKNW Kids Fund

Please contact the above programs for inquiries about possible available funding. Our SLPs can offer services to help apply for funding, as applicable to your child’s circumstance.

We also accept private pay via cash, cheque, or debit card in our office. We do not take credit cards at the moment.

Is there a waitlist?

Some of our therapists are completely full, while some are still accepting new clients. We encourage parents to consider group therapy options if there are no one-on-one therapy spots available.

Do I need to be present in the therapy sessions?

Caregivers play an important role in children’s speech and language development. Children spend the most time communicating with their primary caregivers during daily routines and shared play activities. We encourage caregivers to actively participate in sessions when possible. SLPs can provide education and training on how to help your child learn and practice speech, language, and communication skills outside of the clinic in other environments including home, school, and the community. This increases the “dosage” of therapy for the child as caregivers can continue to practice therapy targets in naturalistic environments. However, specific session arrangements may vary depending on the individual needs and goals of the client. As such, we recommend  speaking with your SLP to determine the best arrangement for you and your child.

What other languages do you offer therapy in?

Besides English, some of our clinicians offer therapy in several different languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, and Spanish. Please specify in the online intake form if you wish to connect with an SLP that speaks your preferred language. 

Can you offer slp services at our home?

The majority of our clinicians currently provide in-clinic services. Please specify on the online intake form if you are seeking services at home and we will contact you if a clinician is able to accommodate your request.

WILL THE SLP COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS?

SLPs often work interprofessionally with other team members including parents, daycare staff, school teachers, behavioural consultants, occupational therapists, audiologists, and others to best support the child’s holistic development. SLPs at our clinic may attend team meetings in person or over the phone to consult with other professionals regarding strategies and techniques to facilitate learning of speech, language and communication skills. At Speech Meta, we greatly value interprofessional collaboration as an important aspect to delivering the highest quality of care to our clients.

What are the COVID procedures at Speech Meta?

To ensure the safety of our families and staff, we have implemented new in-clinic policies and procedures for screening, booking, billing, physical distancing, sanitation, arrival and departure. Here you can find our COVID-19 Safety Plan.

We are now providing both in-person and teletherapy options to families. Your therapist will communicate with you regarding what the best plan is for your child and your family. We make this decision safely and carefully on an individual basis by evaluating the risks and benefits for our clients and staff, while following the guidelines from the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC. We have received a lot of positive feedback from our clients and families who have been accessing our virtual therapy sessions. We are grateful that we have been able to connect and to provide high-quality services to our clients so that they can continue to make gains in their communication skills.