HOW CAN WE HELP?
We offer Assessment, Consultation and Therapy options for a wide range of communication and literacy challenges. All of our therapists are proficient in providing tele-therapy sessions as well as in-person sessions.
MOTOR SPEECH DISORDERS
Children with motor speech difficulties (such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech) can have problems saying sounds, syllables, and words. Motor speech disorders benefit greatly from intense speech therapy. Many of our clinicians are trained to use PROMPT (tactile speech cues) and have found this treatment very effective for kids with motor speech difficulties.
SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
Whether your child has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, or social communication difficulties, we are able to use their preferences and uniqueness to set appropriate and realistic communication goals. Our Speech-Language Pathologists are certified in Hanen’s More Than Words program, a parent-implemented intervention that uses every day routines and play activities as context for building a child's social and communication skills. Many of our clients with social communication difficulties benefit from a group environment and we offer several group opportunities to work on problem solving, teamwork and collaboration. Our team also has extensive experience working with AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).
RECEPTIVE AND EXPRESSIVE LANGUAGE DELAY/DISORDER
Children with language delay/disorder may be late to talk, and may have difficulty with skills such as understanding stories and expressing their ideas. Our Speech-Language Pathologists have certifications in Hanen’s Target Word and It Takes Two to Talk programs, parent-implemented interventions that use every day routines and play activities as context for building a pre-school child's language skills. School-aged children with language delay/disorder will address individualized goals through play-based activities, engaging stories, and tasks relevant to their school, home and social lives. Parent coaching through tele-therapy is also an excellent option for early language intervention as young children are often most comfortable at home.
LITERACY DEVELOPMENT
Our literacy therapists are all Orton-Gillingham trained at the Associate Level. Research is clear that children who struggle to develop reading and spelling benefit from an approach that is explicit, systematic and based on phonics. We work one-to-one with clients to develop foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness (e.g., the ability to blend and segment words by sound), phonics, morphology and etymology. These services, as with all of our treatment options, may be covered under your Extended Health Benefits.
FLUENCY (STUTTERING)
Stuttering is an interruption in the forward flow of speech. It usually begins around the age of 3, and early intervention is key to success. Our Speech-Language Pathologists use the Lidcombe Program, a family-centred behavioural treatment for children who stutter.
VOICE DISORDERS
A voice disorder occurs when voice quality, pitch, and/or loudness differ from the healthful ideal according to age and gender identity. Voice disorders can be caused by something structural, or by behaviours such as loud play. The team at BWLP can recommend strategies and treatment to optimize vocal health.
ARTICULATION (PRONUNCIATION)
Children develop speech sounds at different ages. An articulation assessment will determine if your child is on track for speech sound development. If needed, therapy will include teaching your child the correct way to produce the sound, practice in a variety of engaging contexts, and home-based activities to ensure collaboration and success. All members of the BWLP team see children with articulation difficulties.