Home Contact Sitemap Checkout
Edmonton Down Syndrome Society

DONATE

780.944.4224 | 9139-39 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T6E 5Y2 
HOME Print This Page

SPEECH THERAPY PROGRAM SPRING 2018

INFANT SPEECH SERVICES

Babies start to communicate at birth. SLP consultation services are available for parents to discuss concerns and to discover fun ways to build speech, language and communication skills.

Services can be obtained at a Monday playgroup session (no charge); by phone or in-person (No charge for first session)


PRESCHOOL GROUP SERVICES

Monday morning drop-in playgroups

A member of the SLP team will attend one playgroup session per month to:

·         Model strategies that support speech, language, feeding and communication development

·         Facilitate circle time songs and stories

·         Address parent questions or concerns

Tentative dates: Jan 15, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9, May 14 and June 11 from 10-11 am

No charge



Toddler Speech Playgroup

This popular 6-week program is available for toddlers (14 months to 3 years) and their families. Parents will observe and practice strategies to encourage clearer communication through fun play activities and routines that can be used at home. For families who have attended a Hanen session, this is a great opportunity to practice some of the strategies learned.

The Toddler Speech Group will be planned and facilitated collaboratively by Michele Bennett, SLP Assistant and Judy Meintzer, SLP.

In-person or phone individual SLP consultation sessions will be scheduled before and after the group sessions to determine and support individual goals for all families not receiving recent EDSS speech services.  

The speech group sessions include free play, songs, stories, games, snack time and centre activities led by the SLP Assistant. Depending on child needs, parents are asked to bring an empty cup and appropriate snack foods and/or drinks for their children. (Finger foods are preferred.)

Children must attend with a parent or other caregiver. 6-8 families can be accommodated in this class.  

Dates: Friday, April 27th – June 8th, (No Class on May 18th) 9:30 to 11:00 am

Cost: $90/ EDSS member: $270 non-member



EDSS is excited to offer Kids’ Cooking Clubs! 


Are you interested in expanding your child’s independence in the kitchen? Exposing them to new foods? Increasing their functional life skills? Improving their social communication skills?

You and your child will participate together in this 5-week group. We will work as a team to complete tasks. You will learn new ways to support your child’s fine motor, language, cognitive and social skill development and build their sense of pride at home. Each session will end with a social gathering around the table.

Group facilitators: Lesley Rempel, R.SLP and Jackie Andersen, R.OT

Dates: Sunday, April 29, May 6, 13 & 27, June 3

Times and ages:

  • 1:00 - 2:30pm for younger children (7 – 8 years old)
  • 3:00 - 4:30pm for older children and teens (9 - 13 years old)

Cost: $75/ member; $330/ non-member (includes food costs)

Please contact the EDSS office by April 13 to register. You will be asked to complete questionnaire about your child’s goals and food allergies, preferences and aversions.

Note: A minimum of 6 participants per group is needed to run this group.


The Social Response - Adult Social Skills​ in Action​

 

This group may be for you if you like

to have fun ...... to meet new people ...... to hang out in a comfortable place ...... to learn new things.


Did you know that you tell people a lot by the way you stand (or sit)?       When you frown or smile?       

If your voice sounds happy or angry?

​

​This group will help you to know:

  • What ​to say when you meet new people  
  • ​What people think when you use polite words like 'please' and 'thanks'
  • How your friends might feel when you're rude or mean
  • Ways to join in when others are talking
  • Tips for interesting conversations with others
  • How to help others to understand what you say


Activities will be planned based on interests mentioned in a pre-group survey of participants.


Dates: June 6, 13, 20 and 27

Time: 7:00-8:00pm

Location: EDSS Centre

Age: 18 years and older

Participants: 6-8 people are required for this group

Cost: $30

Facilitators:  Lesley Rempel, Speech-Language Pathologist (R.SLP)

                   Sidiqua Mavani, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA)

Registration Deadline - May 24, 2018

INDIVIDUAL FEEDING and SPEECH SERVICES (all ages)

The EDSS is pleased to offer twice monthly 50-minute individual speech and feeding services.


Speech and Language Services

Daytime, early evening and weekend sessions will be arranged with the speech-language pathology team based on needs and availability. Goal areas may include overall speech clarity; specific speech sounds; expressive language skills (vocabulary, grammar); language understanding (e.g. following instructions, concepts, reading comprehension); literacy; augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); and use of language (e.g. social scripts and rules).

Judy Meintzer, R.SLP, SLP(C), coordinates this program. The speech team is listed in the attached document. All SLPs are registered in the province of Alberta. Some services are provided by qualified SLP Assistants with direct and indirect SLP supervision.

·         Intake, assessment and consultation services are provided by one of the team SLPs

·         Intervention is provided by one of the team SLPs and/or SLP-Assistants


For optimal intervention results the family is expected to:

·         Complete a short case history form including desired goal areas for intervention

·         Complete speech/ language skills checklists

·         Arrange an intake or assessment (if no recent services from EDSS)

·         Attend sessions regularly

·         Ensure that home practice is completed with a family member or friend who attends the sessions.

·         Ensure that goals and practice suggestions have been clarified and agreed upon with the speech team.

·         Encourage collaboration with other service providers (e.g. school) to ensure that goals are aligned.


Interested parents please contact the EDSS office and specify which days of the week you can attend and preferred time frame. 

Cost:

New referral /Intake – phone contact by SLP - No charge/member; $80.00/ non-member

Consultation – face to face or telephone 1/2 hr - $15/member; $65/non-member

Initial SLP assessment - (1 1/2hr) - $30/member; $195 non-member fee

Individual therapy by SLP - $25/hr member; $130/hr non-member

Individual therapy by SLP Assistant - $20/hr member; $90/hr non-member

Video feedback sessions

Individual video feedback consultation sessions are available to provide parents of infants and preschoolers with feedback on their use of identified interaction/ communication strategies with their child. Parents must electronically submit a video of the interaction to the SLP 1-2 weeks prior to the consultation session.

Cost: $25/ EDSS member; $130/ non-member


Feeding and Swallowing services

EDSS provides SLP services to support feeding skills for infants and children of all ages. JoAnne Mahood, R.SLP, SLP(C) will be coordinating this program. She will contact families to complete an intake by phone or in-person. During this intake she will determine needs, provide resources and strategies and/or recommend appropriate referrals to other agencies.

New referral /Intake – phone contact by SLP $80.00/ non-member; No charge/member

Consultation – face to face or telephone 1/2 hr $65/non-member; $15/member

Initial SLP assessment (1 1/2hr) - $195 non-member fee; $30/member

Individual therapy by SLP - $130/hr non-member; $25/hr member

WORKSHOPS and RESOURCES (all ages)

Plans are being made to develop workshops and resources on a variety of topics for families. Please contact Judy Meintzer at judy.meintzer@gmail.com if you have suggested topics for these sessions.

AGENCY CONSULTATIONS and SERVICES (all ages)

Consultation sessions can be arranged on request with service partners and other agencies.

 

 

From the ASAPP Website:

Many group insurance plans cover at least a portion of the cost of private services which are usually listed under “Speech Therapy”. Insurance companies may require proof that a Speech-Language Pathologist is registered with ACSLPA. Your Speech-Language Pathologist can provide your insurance company with a copy of their current practice permit. This registration indicates that an individual has met the standards required for the clinical practice of Speech-Language Pathology in the Province of Alberta.


Currently, Alberta Health Care does NOT provide coverage for private speech-language pathology services.


In some circumstances, fees have been covered for individuals receiving assistance through government funding (e.g. Program Unit Funding – PUF, Human Resources and Child Welfare, Services to Children).


Canada Revenue Agency considers fees paid to a private Speech-Language Pathologist to be a tax-deductible medical expense.