Speech and Language

When a child has a communication challenge, it can have a negative impact on their self-esteem, behaviour and ability to be successful in school. KidsAbility’s Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work with families virtually and or in-person to build their child’s communication skills. SLPs help children learn to engage, interact and play with their family and friends, to communicate with words, signs, gestures or specialized communication devices. SLPs also help children with communication challenges such as stuttering, pronouncing sounds, feeding and swallowing and by building literacy skills. Working with families to first identify what the challenge is, through one-on-one, group or coaching support, each child and family is given strategies and support to help them overcome the challenge.

 

Preschool Speech & Language Services 

About 1 in 10 children need help in developing their communication skills. Preschool Speech and Language (PSL) Services support children in these early years to develop skills that will help them communicate. KidsAbility has been a provider of PSL services in Waterloo for many years and we are pleased to be able to offer PSL services to our Guelph-Wellington community effective April 1.

 

What To Do If Your Child Has A Speech Challenge 

You do not need a doctor's referral to contact KidsAbility. You can make that call. Early identification and intervention can help with these types of challenges and therapy goals:

  • Language delays
  • Speech difficulties
  • Social interactions
  • Play skills
  • Augmentative Communication Services
  • Stuttering
  • Feeding and swallowing
  • Literacy
  • Decreasing frustration
  • Improving your child's self-esteem and confidence
  • Reducing behaviour problems
  • Preventing problems from getting worse
  • Helping your child get along with others
  • Improved readiness for school

 

Developmental Milestones

Children begin communicating with the world around them from the moment they are born. Approximately one in 10 children with difficulties have a speech or language challenge. You can learn more about what milestones you should be looking for your child to reach at each stage in their development.