FAQs

 No. Some extended health care benefits through your employer do cover speech and language therapy so check your insurance provider. Also, there are some funding programs for low-income families that can cover speech therapy services.

No. You can call us to get the process started.

In Ontario, Canada, the main difference between a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and a Speech-Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA) lies in their qualifications, scope of practice, and level of responsibility in delivering speech-language therapy services:

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP):

• Qualifications: SLPs hold a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology and must be registered with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).
• Scope of Practice: SLPs are highly trained professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. They develop personalized treatment plans, provide therapy, and may also engage in research, consultation, and advocacy.
• Level of Responsibility: SLPs have the primary responsibility for evaluating clients, making clinical decisions, designing treatment plans, and overseeing the implementation of therapy programs. They may supervise SLTAs and other support staff.

Speech-Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA):

• Qualifications: SLTAs typically have a diploma, bachelor's degree or a certificate in speech-language pathology assisting or a related field. However, the specific qualifications and requirements may vary depending on t he employer and the setting.
• Scope of Practice: SLTAs work under the supervision of SLPs to implement therapy programs designed by the SLP. They may assist with activities such as conducting therapy sessions, facilitating exercises, providing feedback to clients, and documenting progress. SLTAs do not assess or diagnose clients but rather support the implementation of treatment plans.
• Level of Responsibility: SLTAs work under the direct supervision of SLPs and carry out tasks delegated to them by the SLP. They provide valuable support in delivering speech-language therapy services but do not have the authority to make independent clinical decisions or modify treatment plans without supervision.

It's important to note that the roles and responsibilities of SLPs and SLTAs may vary depending on the specific practice setting (e.g., hospitals, schools, private clinics) and the policies of the employing organization. Additionally, both SLPs and SLTAs play crucial roles in helping individuals improve their communication and swallowing abilities.

Yes! You will be able to contact the supervising SLP at any point. To ensure that your child’s goals are updated on a regular basis we do video check-ins. After ten sessions the SLP will join the session to update goals and to meet CASLPO's (College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario) guidelines for supervision. Once your child has reached their current goals we can ask for a re-assessment. The frequency of re-assessments depends on the child’s progress and degree of need.