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FAQs – Language Express

Frequently Asked Questions

Services are provided FREE OF CHARGE and are available to children from birth until the beginning of their Senior Kindergarten year.

Currently almost all children are being seen via telepractice (secure video-conferencing and/or phone) due to COVID-19. When it is safe to do so, we expect to go back to seeing children in clinic locations in Brockville, Gananoque, Kemptville, Perth, Smiths Falls, Carleton Place, and Lanark, at daycare or school for consultations, and sometimes at their homes when other locations are not appropriate. We plan to continue to offer some services via telepractice because it has been very successful for many programs and families.

Language Express uses the healthcare version of Zoom video conferencing software, which is fully compliant with the Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA). Speech and language assessment and therapy via telepractice can be successful for children of all ages. A parent or caregiver must be present and participating in all visits. For younger children, we provide a lot of parent education. When the children are present we mostly use a parent coaching approach. The child and parent play while the Speech-Language Pathologist or Communicative Disorders Assistant observes and provides suggestions; the child is not expected to sit still or attend to the screen. Older children are able to engage with a speech therapist while playing games and reading story books online, similar to what they would do in person.

Yes. You need a good internet connection. If your internet tends to be slow you will have more success if you are able to hard wire your computer to your internet router.

You will need a computer, laptop, or tablet. A phone can be used but the screen is very small and holding it can be distracting. It is best to set up in a room with a door that closes, and for you and your child to be sitting together with your device placed on a flat surface. Young children are often easily distracted, and it is easier to keep your child’s attention if you are in a closed room with fewer distractions.

No! We accept referrals from birth to September 1st of Junior Kindergarten. We can help very young children, including babies.

Children often repeat words or phrases when they learn to talk, and many of them will outgrow this. Some won’t. A Speech Language Pathologist can tell you if your child’s stuttering is cause for concern. It is very important to get help for a child who is stuttering as early as possible.

You talk and listen to your child more than anyone else. If you think that your child has any kind of speech or language problem please complete the Language Express Communication Checkup on our website home page or call Language Express at 1-888-503-8885.

No! 10-12% of preschool children have speech and language difficulties. These children will do much better if they get help with their speech and language when they are very young. If you think your child may have a problem, call or complete the Communication Checkup right away. Don’t wait and see!

Some children are late to start talking. Sometimes younger children find that they can make themselves understood by using gestures and noises instead of using their words. Sometimes older children may speak for the younger ones. Parents should make sure that younger children are encouraged to talk just as much as the older ones. It is never a good idea to wait and see if a child will start talking. If there is a problem we don’t want time to be wasted before helping the child.

No. Learning more than one language offers many benefits. A child usually says his or her first words between 8 and 15 months, no matter how many languages are spoken in the house.

Exposing a child to more than one language will not cause a speech and/or language delay, or make an existing delay worse.

No. Anyone can make a referral including parents, doctors, caregivers, and people from other agencies. However, if someone other than the parent is referring your child they will need parental consent.

Yes! Any child can have a speech or language problem.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) are regulated health professionals who hold Masters degrees in Communication Disorders.

Speech-Language Pathologists are experts in the prevention, identification, assessment, and treatment of communication disorders, including language, speech, voice and fluency disorders.

In Ontario, all Speech-Language Pathologists must be registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).

Yes, the waiting time varies depending on the time of year. Children are placed on the waiting list as soon as the referral is made, so don’t wait! We will give you some ideas for things to do to help your child while you wait.

Yes! Call our office at 1-888-503-8885 or 613-283-2742.

1-888-503-8885 or 613-283-2742