Speech-Language Pathology Services

Our Speech-Language Pathologists support students with speech and language difficulties in accessing curriculum. 

Services provided 

Speech-Language Pathology services may include one or more of the following services:

  • assessment;
  • consulting in-class programming through school staff
  • specialized programs where needed such as:
    • Kindergarten language;
    • enrichment;
    • Early Intervention Classroom; and
    • Autism Resource team.
  • participation in school team meetings;
  • referral to a community agencies;
  • provision of workshops for staff and parents regarding communication development disorders; and
  • supporting language development in Kindergarten. 

When is a student referred? 

Referrals are initiated at school team meetings with Speech-Language Services staff, school staff and parent(s) or guardian(s). Students are referred for the following reasons:

  • limited or no means of communication such as:
    • students with Autism Spectrum Disorder;
    • students who are non-verbal;
    • students with developmental delays;
    • students using augmentative communication systems.
  • students in primary grades who are experience significant language and/or phonological awareness difficulties and therefore unable to access curriculum.
  • students with unintelligible speech;
  • reluctant speakers (students who limit communication at school and are expressive in other environments e.g. at home)
  • students requiring referral to Grandview School Based Rehabilitation Services for speech therapy such as:
    • students with fluency disorders;
    • voice disorders;
    • cleft palate; and
    • significant speech-sound production difficulties 

Our Team 

Our team consists of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) and Communicative Disorders Assistant (CDA). A CDA works with an SLP to provide support to students. CDA does not work independently from a SLP.  

Definitions 

We use the following words and phrases when assessing a student's speech:

Receptive language: The understanding of language.

Expressive language: the ability to use words, signs, symbols to express one's thoughts, feelings and needs. This includes grammar, vocabulary, syntax and conversational skills.

Articulation: the physical production of speech sounds.

Fluency: how smoothly sounds, words and phrases flow together during connected speech.

Voice: the sound produced by vibration of the vocal folds including loudness, voice quality and resonance.

Phonological awareness: the ability to notice, think about and manipulate the sounds, syllables and words of a language.

Social Communication: using verbal and non-verbal means to interact with others.

Literacy: reading, decoding and writing.

 

Contact us

For more information call your child's principal or our Student Services department at 905-576-6150 ext. 22279.