WORKSHOPS and RESOURCES:

Please contact Judy Meintzer at judy.meintzer@gmail.com if you have suggested topics for workshops or resources. Consultation sessions can be arranged on request with service partners and other agencies on request.

Working Bee: Building on visual strengths

Let’s build some tools to support your child’s learning. Children with Down syndrome can usually understand and process what they see easier than what they hear.

It takes time to make pictures, cards, charts, calendars, books or boards to help your child to deal with transitions, to follow routines, to understand complex instructions, to have clearer speech and to communicate more effectively.

We’re all very busy so let’s do this together. We promise that we will have a good time!  Supplies and strategies will be provided. Contact Judy@edss.ca for further details.

Date: Saturday, Nov 10 from 10 – 12 or 12:30 – 2:30 (Childcare provided)

Cost: $20 per family/ members ($90 non-subsidized rate)

Enrollment: 3+ families per session

Sessions will be facilitated by Judy Meintzer, SLP.

GROUP SERVICES:

We are excited about the group programs we will offer to support socialization, communication, language learning, positive behaviour and speech clarity for all ages this fall. Speech, language and literacy skills are often learned best during fun, engaging functional activities with peers. Family members understand and use new strategies to support these skills throughout the day when they have the opportunity to observe and practice them together.

NOTE:  No refunds are offered for missed group sessions. If a group program is cancelled due to low registration, participants will be notified immediately after the registration deadline and their monies refunded.  If unforeseen circumstances (therapist illness; weather warnings) result in your therapist cancelling a group class, participants will be offered a make-up class. 

Monday morning drop-in playgroups

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

• Meet new families
• Complete speech intakes
• Model strategies that support speech, language and communication development
• Facilitate circle time songs and stories
• Address parent questions or concerns

Dates: Sept 24, Oct 29, Nov 26 from 10-11 am (no charge)

Hanen group - It Takes Two to Talk® (adapted)

• Stay tuned for details.

NEW: Fun with Music for Babies and Toddlers

Most babies and toddlers with Down syndrome love music. They enjoy the rhythm, sounds and words of speech in songs – paying attention, taking turns, playing with sounds and copying actions, sounds and words. Parents will learn new songs to share at home to build early speech, language and literacy skills.

This program will be facilitated by Sharla Quantz, MYCC, SLPA and Judy Meintzer, R.SLP

Children must attend with a parent or caregiver. 4-6 families can be accommodated in this group.

Dates: Wed, Oct 31, Nov 7, 14, 21, 28, Dec 5 from 10 – 11 am

Cost: $67.50/ member ($270 non-subsidized)

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. Sessions include free play, songs, stories, games, snack time and centre activities. 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.)

The Toddler Speech Group will be planned and facilitated collaboratively by Michele Bennett, SLP Assistant and Judy Meintzer, SLP. Participants will complete checklists before and after the group. In-person or phone SLP consultation sessions will be arranged to determine and support individual goals for all families.

Children must attend with a parent or other caregiver. 3-6 families can be accommodated in this class.  

Dates: Friday, Sept 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2 from 9:30 to 11 am

Cost: $90/ EDSS member ($340 non-subsidized), including one consultation session.

NEW: Sunrise Preschool Music Program (adapted) for 3 – 5 year olds

Most children with Down syndrome love music. They also learn important speech, language and literacy skills through music. The Music for Young Children (MYC®) Sunrise program is an excellent introduction to the language of music. Important music concepts are taught through songs, games, crafts and puppets. Your child will learn the difference between loud and soft sounds, fast and slow rhythms. You will come away with songs to sing in the car, at home and on the playground!  Class registration includes a CD, finger puppet, rhythm sticks and workbook.

This program will be facilitated by Sharla Quantz, MYCC, SLPA and Marnie Paul, R.SLPChildren must attend with a parent or caregiver. 3-5 families can be accommodated in this group.

Dates: Oct 11, 18, 25, Nov 1, 8 and 15 from 2-3 pm

Cost: $125/ member ($395 non-subsidized), including materials

Cooking Clubs for School-aged Children

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 these 6-week groups. 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.

You will be asked to complete questionnaire about your child’s goals and food allergies, preferences and aversions. All families will be expected to volunteer to assist with shopping, set-up and/or clean-up.

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

Dates: Sunday, Oct 21, 28, Nov 18, 25, Dec 2, 9

• 10 – 11:30 for younger school children (7 – 12 years old)
• 12 – 1:30 for older children and teens (12+ years old*)

*Please let us know if you feel your older child would be more successful in the younger age group.

Cost: $105/ member ($405/ non-subsidized) including food

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

Sunday Social Skills Group for 5-9 year olds

Children with Down syndrome often need extra support to communicate, play and interact effectively with others. This group is intended to help children to be more confident meeting new people; joining play with others; sharing their feelings, stories and ideas; understanding social rules and manners; and dealing with new situations. Social stories and role-playing games will be used to provide the tools they need to read, interpret and respond effectively to others in specific situations in their social world. Families registered in the program will help to determine specific goals based on the children’s needs. A brief questionnaire will be completed by all families before the first session.

This program will be planned and facilitated collaboratively by Sidiqua Mavani and Michele Bennett, SLPAs under the direction of one of the team SLPs.

Dates:

• Sundays from 1 - 2 pm.
• October 21, 28, Nov 4, 18 (no session Nov 11)
• 3-5 students must be registered for this program to run.

Cost: $55/ EDSS member ($240 non-subsidized)

NOTE: All students not currently receiving EDSS speech services will need to complete a brief questionnaire before the first session of the group.

NEW: After School Language and Literacy Fun for 7 - 10 year olds

Children develop language and literacy skills best when they are having fun. Join us to explore ways for your family to enjoy using art, music, books and games to build your child’s language and literacy skills at home.  Children must attend with a parent or caregiver. (3 – 5 children will be needed for this program to run.) Sessions will be facilitated by Sheelagh Bara, SLP.

Dates: Wednesday Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 and Nov 7 (no session on Halloween) from 4 - 5:30 pm  

Cost: $75/ member ($390 non-subsidized rate), including 1/2-hour phone consultation before group.

NOTE: Children who haven’t received recent EDSS speech/language services may need to arrange a full speech assessment prior to this group at an additional cost of $30).

NEW: Teen Communication Club

This small group is open to teens that are interested in practicing conversational and social communication skills with peers in a structured and positive environment. Topics will be chosen based on the interests of the group. The focus of the group will be practicing conversation skills, including asking questions and adding comments. The group may engage in small projects and use video modelling strategies.  

The group will be facilitated by Lesley Rempel, R.SLP. Parent input will help determine priorities for the group members.

The program Includes:

• One individual phone or in-person consultation session with parents
• 6 group sessions with 3-6 students

Group sessions: Monday from 7-8 pm

Dates:  Oct 1, 15, 22, 29; Nov 19, 26 (no session Oct 8, Nov 5 or 11)

Total cost - $75/ EDSS member ($390/ non-subsidized), including one individual consultation session.

NOTE: All teens not currently receiving EDSS speech services will need to arrange an individual assessment before the first session of the 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

This group will be facilitated by Sophie Swanston, R.SLP. Activities will be planned based on interests mentioned in a pre-group survey of participants.

Dates: Friday, Oct 19, Nov 2, 9, 23, Dec 7 from 7 to 8 pm at EDSS

Age: 18 years and older (4 – 6 participants required for this group)

Cost: $35/ member ($167 non-subsidized), including supplies

INDIVIDUAL SERVICES (all ages)

The EDSS offers a limited number of subsidized sessions per month for members (unless reimbursed for these services through FSCD funding):

• Maximum of 1 individual therapy session (assessment or intervention) per month if attending another subsidized therapy group program during the month
• Maximum of 2 therapy sessions (assessment or intervention) for one discipline (e.g., SLP, OT, PT)
• Maximum of 3 therapy sessions total from all disciplines (e.g., 2 SLP and 1 OT).
• twice monthly 50-minute individual speech services at a subsidized rate for members. 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).

NOTE: Late cancellation charges for individual services are assessed at 50% of the non-subsidized rate; No call/ no show charges are 100% of the non-subsidized rate.  These charges are not billable to FSCD nor to any insurance company.  Refer to EDSS cancelation policy for full details.

Judy Meintzer, R.SLP, SLP(C), will be coordinating 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 at the EDSS site. Some services can be provided via phone or video (e.g., Facetime, Skype)

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.

Cost: Dependent on type of service

Interested parents please contact the Family Support Liaison, Julie at the EDSS office and specify which days of the week you can attend and preferred time frame. 

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

      *All SLP Assistant services are provided with indirect and direct supervision of a team SLP.

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. 

Jo Anne 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.

Cost: Dependent on type of service

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

Interested parents please contact the Family Support Liaison, Julie at the EDSS office and specify which days of the week you can attend and preferred time frame.