We usually tell parents to trust their mommy/daddy instincts. If you feel like your child might be delayed or have a question about how they are doing compared to their same-aged peers, schedule a free 15-minute consultation by contacting our office at admin@mainlandspeech.com
Here is a handy chart to reference for speech sound development.
How well words can be understood by parents:
– By 18 months a child’s speech is normally 25% intelligible
– By 24 months a child’s speech is normally 50 -75% intelligible
– By 36 months a child’s speech is normally 75-100% intelligible
Lynch, Brookshire & Fox (1980), p. 102, cited in Bowen (1998).
Take a look at the About section!
All of our Speech Language Pathologists are certified through the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHBC) and many have additional certifications through Speech and Audiology Canada as well as the American Speech and Hearing Association.
Speech sound assessments can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the willingness of the participant and the complexity of the errors. We like to build a rapport with a child before we bring out any assessment tools. This also allows us to obtain a language sample so we can look at their overall intelligibility, or our ability to understand their speech. We are also able to provide a report if needed, but results are provided to you within a couple of days after the assessment is completed.
For language assessments, it depends on the age of the child and the complexity of the language delays as to how long as assessment will take. Some may take as little as an hour, others may take three hours or more. All language assessments look at both their understanding and use of language, giving us the ability to diagnose both a receptive (understanding spoken language) and expressive (use of) language delay. The time needed to complete a language assessment is much longer, and can take multiple sessions to complete depending on the cooperation of the child. Taking time to build rapport through play helps to make the assessments go faster.
A therapy session will look different depending on the age of the child. For younger children we follow a Hanen Approach, which greatly involves the parents in therapy sessions. Part of the session will be watching you interact with your children, talking about tips and strategies, modelling specific strategies and debriefing on what practice I would like to see before the next session. All of our therapy is a play-based model, and this is because children learn best through play. Studies have shown that drilling and flashcard type of therapy is not conducive to the way most children learn.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” (Fred Rogers)
Taking the first few minutes of a session to build rapport helps to get the child to buy into the rest of the session. We use a variety of games, toys, visuals and strategies to involve your child in therapy.
Therapy hourly rates vary from $150-$170 depending upon the therapist and their level of experience. Please contact us for more information about the therapist that’s available in your area, and their hourly rate. (All rates include a 15 km radius for travel to your home.)
We are also available for contract in preschool and schools to provide therapy, please contact Chelsey at Chelsey@mainlandspeech.com to discuss those services.
We offer speech and language therapy for a variety of disorders, delays and diagnoses. Take a look at our Services page to see a comprehensive list. If you are not sure if you or your child falls under that list? Contact me for a free (15min) phone consultation to discuss your individual case.
Each session includes a debrief time to discuss what we have worked on, what we would like to see by the next session, and in some cases a note to include tips to remember. Practicing the tips and strategies that we teach during each session will help to support any therapy plan. If you have any questions about strategies or require clarification before your next session, please don’t hesitate to contact your therapist.
It is difficult to say how long your child will need services for. It is contingent on a number of variables such as practice, participation and willingness and individual client scenarios.
Speech and Language Therapy is not covered by MSP but some extended health benefits will cover sessions. Contact your individual plan to find out if you are covered. I do not direct bill agencies, it will be up to you to be reimbursed by your health plan for our services.