Speech Language Pathology - Pediatric Services
Communication skills are very important to a child’s development. Communication involves both speech and language.
SPEECH is the expression of language that includes articulation (the way we form and say words).
LANGUAGE is understanding what’s being said and putting words together to express thoughts and ideas.
FLUENCY refers to the smoothness, rate and effort in speaking.
VOICE is the sound produced when air passes through the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box) causing them to vibrate.
PLAY is the work of children that involves activities completed for fun that have behavioural, social, and mental and physical rewards.
Referrals are accepted from any member of the healthcare team, family, or the individual.
If you would like to make a referral click on the link below or
call: (709) 256-5458 for our Gander clinic or (709) 292-2169 for our Grand Falls-Windsor clinic.
Speech-Language Pathology Outpatient Referral Form
SPEECH
Speech refers to the way we form and say words. Most children follow a typical pattern of development with sounds developing at specific ages as they grow.
Some speech sound errors are normal in developing children. For instance, most three year olds cannot use the “R” sound or sounds in combination, like “SP”. Some errors, however, require speech and language intervention to improve.
Speech-language pathologist are experts in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of speech disorders. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, you can contact a speech-language pathologist to determine if speech therapy would be beneficial for your child.
Extra information is available by clicking on links below.
Please click here if you would like to make a referral.
When to request a referral:
Do you have trouble understanding what your child says most of the time?
Does your child say words differently each time they try?
Does your child leave beginnings or endings off of words all the time?
Does your child have very few speech sounds they can say?
Does your child have trouble with vowel sounds?
Additional resources:
Typical Pattern of Speech Sound Development - Poster
Speech Sound Development Pamphlet - CH-SLP032
LANGUAGE
Language refers to the ability to understand and communicate. From birth to age of five, children develop language at a very fast pace.
Understanding language usually develops faster than speech. The age and rate that language skills develop is different for each child.
If you have concerns about your child’s language development, you can contact a speech-language pathologist to determine if speech therapy would be helpful.
Extra information is available by clicking on links below
Please click here if you would like to make a referral.
When to request a referral:
Does you child have an interest in communicating/interacting with you?
Does your child combine two words at the age of two years?
Does you child speak in short sentences at the age of three years old?
Does your child have difficulty following directions?
Is you child leaving words out of sentences?
Additional resources:
Speech & Language of a 6-12 Month Old
Speech & Language of an 18 Month Old
Speech & Language of a 2 Year Old
Speech & Language of a 3 Year Old
Speech & Language of a 4 Year Old
Speech & Language of a 5 Year Old
FLUENCY
Fluency Disorders or Stuttering are frequent interruptions in the flow of speaking.
People who stutter may repeat sounds, parts of words, words, and phrases. They may also lengthen sounds or have breaks in their sentences.
As children learn language, stuttering may occur when forming sentences. Children may repeat words, parts of words, or use words like “uh” while trying to get their point across. Stuttering can also increase when tired, excited, rushed or upset.
Speech-language pathologists screen, assess, diagnose, and treat fluency disorders. They can provide tools and supports to promote fluent speech.
Extra information is available by clicking on links below.
Please click here if you would like to make a referral.
When to request a referral:
Does your child have frequent dysfluencies/stuttering periods?
Does your child repeat parts of words more than two or three times before getting the word out?
Does your child show frustration or stop trying to finish a sentence when they are having trouble saying the words?
Does your child do any other behaviours like eye blinking or twitching when stuttering?
Additional resources:
CH SLP134 - Developmental Dysfluency
CH SLP016 - The Child who Stutters - A Parents' Guide
VOICE
Voice is the sound that air makes when it is forced out of your lungs and passes over your vocal cords. Voice disorders are a problem with the pitch, volume, tone, and other qualities that occur when the vocal cords don't vibrate normally. Children with voice disorders may have harsh or hoarse voices, or voices that are too high or low, too loud or too nasal.
Speech-language pathologists are experts in how the voice works and on voice disorders. Speech-language pathologists can work with your child to help them understand their voice problem and how to use their voice properly.
If your child has had a change in their voice or you have any concerns about how they use their voice, it is important to have an assessment to ensure proper treatment.
Extra information is available by clicking on links below.
Please click here if you would like to make a referral.
When to request a referral:
Does your child’s voice sound hoarse even when they are healthy over a long period of time?
Does your child have difficulty controlling the volume of their voice?
Does your child lose their voice often during the day even when they are healthy?
Does your child have difficulty being understood because of the way their voice sounds?
Additional resources:
CH SLP118 - Taking Care of your Child's Voice
PLAY
Play is how children experience fun and joy and learn new concepts.
Through play, children develop their personalities and create a positive sense of self. Play supports a child's creativity and imagination, develops reading, thinking, and problem solving skills, and encourages motor skill development. Play is how a child learns to engage in their environment and is very important for their overall brain development.
Speech-language pathologists assess and provide therapy through play and interaction. Speech-language pathologists use play in their therapy sessions to develop speech, language and social skills.
Extra information is available by clicking on links below.
Please click here if you would like to make a referral.
When to Request a Referral:
Does your child have limited ways to use and engage with toys or objects?
Does your child avoid including others in their play?
Does your child mainly shake, mouth or throw toys? (after one year of age)
Does your child get very upset if their play is interrupted or changed?
Additional resources:
CH SLP057 - The Importance of Play