What do I need to bring to an initial consultation or session?

Please provide us with any relevant information (e.g., assessment report (SLP, OT, Psychology), IIP, report cards/resource room reports, progress notes, etc.) that can help us gain a better understanding of your child’s strengths and areas of needs. These can be emailed prior to your appointment or brought with you to the consultation. 

If transitions are difficult, we recommend bringing a motivating toy to help support the transition.

Do we need a referral to begin accessing services?

A referral is not necessary to begin accessing services from a Registered Speech- Language Pathologist.

Do you only support autistic children?

No. We work with all children in need of support. Spectrum has a variety of therapists with interests in different areas of our field. Contact us to find out which therapist is best suited for your child.

My child has been diagnosed with autism. What should my first steps be?

Take a breath and all the time you need to process. There is a lot of misinformation out there. We highly recommend seeking out resources that are neurodiversity affirming, or better yet, written by autistic individuals. At Spectrum, we are proud to offer our autism parent course, Spectrum Beginnings. Connect with families also learning, growing, and processing, all while learning about autism from a strengths-based lens.

Does my child need an assessment? Can we start therapy without an assessment?

Every child’s speech and language needs are unique. Formal and informal assessment helps the SLP determine priority and procedure for addressing speech and language needs. Your child’s intervention plan and therapy goals should be unique to your child and address the most important aspects of communication for your child and family. If your child has been recently (within a year) assessed by another SLP, please provide us with any relevant information (i.e., assessment report/progress notes) so that we can determine need for additional assessment.

How often does my child need therapy/ how long is the therapy process?

The duration and frequency of therapy will vary depending on the individual needs of your child, including their diagnosis, severity of presenting concerns, consistency of home-practice, and more. Please speak with your SLP to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your child and the needs of your family. 

Do speech and language sessions get covered by insurance?

There are a variety of options for accessing funding for speech and language services. You may be eligible for reimbursement through your employee benefits plan or insurance provider. At this time, we do not provide direct billing; however, we will provide you with the required documentation needed for reimbursement. Please contact your insurance provider to ensure these services are covered. Your child may also qualify for funding through one of the following programs:

• Government of Saskatchewan: Individualized Funding (Autism)

• Family Services Saskatoon

• Cognitive Disability Services

Please contact the above programs for inquiries about possible available funding. Our SLPs can offer services to help apply for funding, as applicable to your child’s circumstance.