Resources / Speech & Language
Introduction
VIDEO: York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program (YRPSLP)
Megan Rubenstein, Clinical Manager, introduces the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program. She highlights the types of services provided by the program, and shares that that parents can refer their children without a doctor’s referral by calling 1-888-703- KIDS (5437).
VIDEO: Parent Engagement
Osy, a Speech-Language Pathologist, explains the important role of caregiver and parent-engagement in all of the intervention programs in the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program. The partnership between the family and the clinical team is essential in helping the children in the program to reach their communication potential.
VIDEO: Who are CDAs and SLPs?
At the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program, Communicative Disorders Assistants and Speech-Language Pathologists work in collaboration to support you and your child. In this clip, Jena and Premila talk about who these professionals are and how they work together. To make a referral to this program, please call: 1-877-703-KIDS (5437).
Did you know Audiologists & Speech-Language Pathologists are Regulated? Click here to view the CASLPO brochure (available in 8 languages).
Articulation
Articulation Developmental Norms
Articulation Developmental Norms
Outlines what speech sounds typically develop at various ages as well as when treatment would be necessary/appropriate
How Children Learn To Talk Clearly
Speech Sound Disorders
An overview of how children learn to speak clearly, identifying if your child has a speech delay and when to seek professional help
Making Speech Sounds more obvious to your Child
Making Speech Sounds More Obvious for Your Child
Parents and caregivers can also have an important role when helping their children with their articulation. The following are some general strategies that can be modeled throughout the day and during daily routines to help highlight the sounds or words your child may be having difficulty with.
Why do Articulation Errors Occur
Asks the question, Why do Articulation Errors Occur? While there is sometimes no known reason, several possibilities are identified
VIDEO: Speech Sound Delays and Disorders
Is your child’s speech difficult to understand? In this clip, Natalie will tell you about the different types of speech sound disorders and delays that may impact the clarity of a child’s speech. A Speech-Language Pathologist can assess the types of errors your child is making, and suggest an intervention plan to help! If you live in York Region and are concerned with the clarity of your preschooler’s speech, please call 1-888-703 KIDS (5437) to make a referral to the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program.
Autism
York Simcoe Autism Network (YSAN)
The York Simcoe Autism Network (YSAN) is a group of organizations with a history of partnering together to meet the unique needs of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The partnership network was formed in response to the new Ontario Autism Program to support families in York Region and Simcoe County. We believe that our ‘whole’ will be greater than the sum of our individual ‘parts’.
Communication Tips for Parents of Children with ASD
Try following strategies from The Hanen Centre for children who haven’t started talking yet or who have started to say a few words to ask for what they want (e.g., “Milk” or “Mommy, up!”) (Tags: Autism, ASD, social communication, diagnosis)
Baby Navigator
Parents can learn about children’s social communication development by following them from birth to 24 months on these social communication growth charts
16 by 16 Months
The 16×16 ™ series helps families and professionals to learn about the essential social communication skills that children should reach by 16 months of age. These skills are key in laying the foundation to the milestones typically achieved by 24 months when it comes to communication, literacy, play, and social skills. The series currently contains lookbooks illustrating 16 Gestures by 16 Months and 16 Actions with Objects by 16 months.
Autism Navigator – ASD Video Glossary
The ASD Video Glossary includes more than 100 side-by-side videos to help families and professionals learn more about the early signs of autism. Registration is needed to view these videos, but they are free of charge.
Ontario Autism Program
The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) offers support to families of children and youth on the autism spectrum. Children and youth who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a qualified professional are eligible for the program. Children receive services and supports until the age of 18.
York Region Autism Ontario
The York Region Autism Ontario Chapter offers a variety of programs and events for Autistic individuals and their families, provides information to the community, and supports families with service navigation.
Visual Supports Social Narratives and Resources
Providing parents with a variety of strategies and tips for creating and using visual supports across their child’s day.
Geneva Centre for Autism
The Geneva Centre strives to build the capacity and skills of individuals, families, community agencies and professionals to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder realize opportunities for successful community inclusion.
Kerry’s Place Autism Services (KPAS)
KPAS has been committed to enhancing the quality of life of people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for over 35 years through innovative personalized supports, expertise, collaboration and advocacy.
Language
A Parent’s Guide for Increasing Your Child’s Vocabulary
Why work on your child’s vocabulary.
How to teach your child new words.
Things to consider about learning new words.
Activities to Help your Child Learn more Words
Teaching vocabulary in daily routines and according to themes.
Activity ideas.
Activities to Promote Speech and Language Development-Games and Everyday Ideas
Activities, ideas and games for supporting speech and language development.
Getting your Child to Tune into Talking (Language Facilitation Techniques)
Language facilitation techniques.
Strategies to use to support language development.
Help Your Child Use Longer Sentences (Expanding)
Strategies to help your child use longer sentences.
Expand strategy.
My Child Has Trouble Understanding – A Receptive Language Disorder
What is a receptive language disorder?
What is understanding?
Warning signs that your child may have trouble understanding.
My Child Has Trouble Understanding – Things You Can Work on at Home
How to work on improving your child’s ability to understand language.
Good listening skills.Sugge
VIDEO: Expressive and Receptive Language
A communication assessment explores many areas of a child’s development. In this clip, Loan, Speech-Language Pathologist, will explain what is meant by ‘expressive’ and ‘receptive’ language skills.
Multilingualism
VIDEO: Winston & Janet – Multilingual Home
Winston and Janet speak about how they have been able to use the strategies learned in therapy sessions to encourage both English, and Cantonese-learning in their home. Supporting the development of the home-language is important for many families, and to Child Development Programs!
For more information, please watch Gigi’s video, Growing Up Multilingual.
Learning Two Languages when there is a Language Delay
There are many benefits to teaching your home language(s) even when is a language delay. Find out why and how.
VIDEO: Growing up Multilingual
Many children are exposed to more than one language in their early years. Gigi, a Speech-Language Pathologist with the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program, shares some insights and tips on how to support a child’s language development in a multilingual home.
For more information, please watch Gigi’s video, Growing Up Multilingual.
Literacy
Developmental Milestones of Reading
Typical Stages of Development of interest in Books and in learning to read.
Helping Your Child Learn to Rhyme – A Pre-Reading Skill
How to teach your child to rhyme, which is a precursor to reading.
How to Get Your Child Interested in Books and Reading
Getting your child interested in Books and Reading.
Play/Social
Playing People Games
People games are simple, repetitive routines that require at least two people, but no toys (think Peekaboo, chase, and tickle games). Create more opportunities for your child to interact by playing people games, using these suggestions from the Hanen Centre. (tags: social communication, autism, ASD)
Typical Social Communication Development
Here are some of the early milestones you can expect in a child’s social communication development.
VIDEO: Seema and Jamie – Play and Communication
Cars, peek-a-boo and tea sets! Kids love to play. In this clip, Seema and Jamie will tell you a little bit about why play has such an important role in our assessments and therapy programs. To learn more about play, please explore our e-learning program, ‘The Power of Play’; to make a referral to the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program, please call 1-877-703-KIDS (5437).
VIDEO: What is Social Communication?
Take a trip to the local coffee shop with Lanni, who will introduce you to the world of social communication. Whether we use pictures, signs, written, or spoken words, social communication is the constant in our interactions, and plays an important role in how we build relationships. If you live in York Region are concerned with your toddler or preschooler’s social communication, please call 1-888-703 KIDS (5437) to make a referral to the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program.
Stuttering
VIDEO: Does Your Preschooler Stutter? (Part 1 of 2)
Are you concerned that your child might be stuttering? In this introductory video, Marlene describes different types of stuttering behaviour and also talks about when it develops and when to seek help. This is part 1 of a 2-part series.
If you live in York Region and are concerned that your child is stuttering, please call 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) to make a referral.
- What is Stuttering? The forward flow of speech is disrupted by:
- Repetitions
- Prolongations
- Blocks
- Sound and Syllable Repetitions
- Prolongations or Stretching out sounds
- Block or being stuck and not able to get the word out
- When does Stuttering Start?
- The child goes through a language spurt
- The child starts connecting words
- It can start gradually
- It can start suddenly
- Some children are unaware of stuttering.
- Some children become aware of their stuttering may:
- Show signs of distress
- Child says “I can’t get words out”
- Tense, struggle and push or force out the words
- Avoid speaking
- Avoids saying words
- Seek out immediate help if child shows signs of Tension or Awareness
- Stuttering can be cyclical or “comes and goes”
- Stuttering can be variable or wax and wane. It can rang from severe to absent in a short period of time.
- Many strategies to help children who stutter – see video #2
- 7 Tips for talking to the child who stutters – see speech and language resources tab
VIDEO – 7 Tips for Talking with the Child Who Stutters
The video discusses 7 important Tips or Guidelines for talking and interacting with your child who stutters and the handout can be printed.
Different approaches to intervention for preschool children who stutter
At CDP, the initial approach to supporting children who stutter and their families, regardless of severity, is indirect therapy or parent education and training.
The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children
In Britain, stuttering is referred to as stammering. Stuttering and stammering refer to the same speech difficulty so there is no difference between the two terms. This excellent website has resources for parents, older children, teachers and clinicians.
- Info for parents: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/for-parents/
- Support for children and young people: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/young-people-support/r
- Info for teachers: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/support-for-schools/
- Info for Speech-language pathologists: https://actionforstammeringchildren.org/support/for-therapists/
The Stuttering Center of Western Pennsylvania
The Stuttering Foundation has many excellent resources for parents, caregivers, teachers and people who stutter.
VIDEO: Does Your Preschooler Stutter? (Part 2 of 2)
Are you looking for ways to support your child who is stuttering? In this video, Marlene shares many practical tips and suggestions that you can use every day to help your child become more fluent. This is part 2 of a 2-part series.
If you live in York Region and are concerned that your child is stuttering, please call 1-888-703-KIDS (5437) to make a referral.
Strategies to help you child by reducing demands/pressures on speech and support fluency
- Be patient.
- Listen to What is said, not How it is said
- Repeat or rephrase – let them know you heard them
- Do not interrupt or finish their words
- Be face to face and at their level
- Avoid correcting the stuttering such as “slow down” or “stop and think”
- Slow down your speech by pausing between phrases
- Pause before responding to your child
- Model language that is appropriate for your child’s age or simplify language
- Refrain from asking a lot of questions.
- Do not tell your child to talk
- Wait for them to answer a questions before asking another question
- Replace questions with comments and Wait
- Ask choice OR yes/no questions
- Do not correct speech sound errors OR grammar. Model instead!
- Encourage good turn taking.
- Reduce time pressure or slow down the pace of life to help your child by:
- Make sure child’s schedule is not too busy
- Down time between activities
- Have your child participate in fewer activities
- Setting up routines making life more predictable
- Make time to talk and play with your child. Take 5 minutes a day to play and talk with your child.
VIDEO – Stuttering and Your Child: Help for Parents
An excellent 30 minute video for parents, with examples of children stuttering, parent experiences and strategies from experts.
Please note: This video has some therapy options that are different from those offered by the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program. Nevertheless, the principles remain relevant to parents in York Region.
Voice
Take Care of Your Child’s Voice
“Taking Care of Your Child’s Voice”
Discuses vocal hygiene and suggestions for parents to model/encourage at home.
YouTube Video “Becka’s Hoarse Voice”
A short video clip of Becka presenting with a hoarse voice. Mom attempts to have her talk and recite
YouTube Video “Vocal Hygiene for Kids”
Approximately 5 minute video which discusses vocal hygiene, vocal abuse, ways to modify, ways to maintain good vocal hygiene