Frequently Asked Questions
IS MY CHILD TOO YOUNG TO BEGIN SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY (SLP) SERVICES?
No! It is never too early to address frustration your child may be feeling and to give your child skills RIGHT NOW to ensure they feel like a powerful communicator. If your child has no words at 15 months, it is appropriate to seek assessment.
WON’T MY CHILD EVENTUALLY OUTGROW SPEECH-LANGUAGE DELAYS?
Some children “catch up” on their own; however, SLP services can accelerate that “catch up” so children aren’t learning letter sounds in Kindergarten they can’t yet produce (e.g. letter “K” says ‘k’ but child pronounces it ‘t’). Learning both of those things at the same time is a “double hard.”
There are two important things to know about milestone delays – they don’t dictate a child’s future success AND they’re often misinterpreted as meaning a child showing delays “isn’t far off” and doesn’t require services. In fact, milestones are minimums, referring to what 90% of children of a given age can do. Trust your instinct to seek this information and schedule an assessment to learn more!
WHAT AGE GROUP DOES ALLEGRA SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVE?
Speech Language Pathology serves a wide range of ages and specialties. Allegra Speech Language Therapy focuses on children ages birth through elementary school. If your child is beyond elementary school age, contact Allegra Speech Language Therapy to determine where their needs are best served.
WHERE WILL THERAPY TAKE PLACE?
The Allegra Speech Language Therapy office is located at 250 Nelson Street West in Virden, MB for all in-person appointments. Online appointments, known as teletherapy, are available from the comfort of your home, and offer a great way to connect with speech language services over distance.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN AN APPOINTMENT?
Every job has tools, and a pediatric SLP’s tools are toys! Assessment and treatment of speech-language needs is done through books, toys, and games, with lots of movement involved. Assessment answers the question “How can I help?” It typically takes 1 – 2 hours, and it teaches the SLP what is easy for your child and what is presently challenging. Treatment is the game plan. After the initial assessment visit, appointments typically last 30-60 minutes and focus on goals agreed upon by the family and the SLP.
HOW OFTEN WILL MY CHILD BE SEEN FOR APPOINTMENTS?
Weekly and bi-weekly sessions are most common; however, more or less frequent appointments can be arranged, as appropriate. With your input, a plan will be developed to fit your family’s needs.
ARE SERVICES AT ALLEGRA SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY COVERED BY MANITOBA HEALTH?
No. As a private practice, Allegra Speech Language Therapy provides assessment and treatment on a fee-for-service basis. However, some insurance plans cover an annual amount toward speech language services and following payment, receipts are issued for families to submit for reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider to see if you have speech therapy coverage.
WHY CHOOSE PRIVATE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY (SLP) SERVICES WHEN FREE, PUBLIC SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
Some families choose private services because public services (like those in schools and hospitals) may follow a consultative service model where appointments can be limited. Some families are seeking a direct service model where appointments are more frequent and direct practice, (which they can observe, learn, and continue at home), is increased.
Some families choose private SLP services to access service more quickly, because despite great efforts to eliminate them, public services may have waitlists.
Some families choose private SLP services because they are ready, willing, and able to engage in treatment, but large public caseloads may not qualify children with mild speech language errors for service.
Private services can be selected in place of public services, or in addition to public services – team work makes the dream work!
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Call or email Allegra Speech Language Therapy directly to discuss your concerns and schedule an appointment! A referral form is not required.
