Speech Pathways
197 County Court Boulevard Suite 207 L6W 4P6 Brampton, ON, Canada

Hi! My name is Humma. I mainly work with young children who may be late talkers and those with speech sound difficulties. I absolutely love forming relationships with my kiddos and their families by having FUN in therapy while targeting our goals. I believe strongly in building communication skills through positive interactions. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my clients smile and laugh while asking for more! Something most people don’t know about me is that I u...sed to be a cake decorator. I have made cakes ranging from naked floral cakes to a Star Wars themed cake with mini figurines. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my baby boy (only 6 months old). I love anything involving design and colours (fashion, interior design, cake decorating, party planning, etc.). Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

I spy I spy 10 triangles, but only 1 is blue, and 9 different animals that escaped from the zoo. I spy 5 tall, green pine trees, and all the letters in the ABCs.... What else do you spy? Tell us in the comments below I spy games are a fun way to work on a variety of speech and language skills! Screenshot this picture so you can zoom in on your phone and play I spy with your child! Here are a few ideas: articulation - search for items in the I spy picture that contain the speech sound(s) your child is working on (e.g., R-blend words - bridge, green, tree, triangle) fluency - use fluency strategies (e.g., slow speech rate, smooth speech) while talking about what you find in the picture school-age language - work on on identifying items that belong to different categories (e.g., animals, shapes, letters), and work on story development by having your child come up with a story to explain what’s happening in the picture early literacy - work on letter identification (e.g., where is the letter b?), letter sounds (e.g., can you find things that start with the l sound? Like: lion, light), and words that rhyme (e.g., can you find something that rhymes with bees? - trees) Come back on the first Thursday of every month for another I spy page! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #speech #communication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #letsplay #ispy #ispywithmylittleeye #ispypicture #ispyfun #ispyforkids

2020 Top Nine These were our most liked posts of 2020! It seems like you have particularly enjoyed meeting & learning about the Speech Pathways team! We have a large team of talented Speech-Language Pathologists, so there are more meet the team posts coming!... This year on our social media, we will continue highlighting all the services that Speech-Language Pathologists provide, giving you ideas for how to add more language to daily routines & activities, featuring toys & games, and recommending books! Have a particular thought or question related to speech-language pathology that you want us to address in a post? Send us a message or leave a comment below www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #topnine #2020topnine

Happy New Year! We are so grateful to all our clients who continued their virtual and in-person sessions during 2020, and continued to make speech & language gains during a challenging year! We wish everyone a happy & healthy 2021. Here’s hoping the new year ahead is better & brighter, and that we learned from all that 2020 taught us. ... Looking forward to seeing you online or in-person soon! Picture taken at the Speech Pathways virtual holiday party, December 2020. www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam #happynewyear #happynewyear2021

Let’s play with New Year’s crafts! Swipe for some ideas on how to work on different areas of speech & language, all while doing different New Year’s crafts! Our simple 2021 craft involved: 1 Printing off a 2021 colouring template we found on Google images, but you or your child could also draw the numbers... 2 Using materials we had around the house to fill in the numbers. We used: stamps, stickers, markers, and the ink from a stamp pad to do fingerprints! 3 Tracing the numbers in glitter glue to work on tracing numbers and add some sparkle 4 Using markers to add fireworks around the year We’ve provided ideas to work on the following during New Year’s crafts: articulation fluency early language school-age language literacy social communication Have a question about how to work on speech & language during play/crafts with your child? Send us a message or leave a comment below www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #letsplay #playtime #newyearsart #newyearscrafts #crafttime #arttime #kidscrafts #kidsart #earlyinterventiontoys #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #happynewyear #happynewyear2021

2020 Reflection 2020 was a challenging year, but that shouldn’t stop us from reflecting on the year, and helping our children do the same. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future are higher level thinking skills. As children progress through school, especially into the upper elementary school years and beyond, more emphasis is placed on these skills.... Help your children work on these skills by finishing these sentences: My favourite part of this year was... Something I learned this year was... In 2021, I'm looking forward to... One goal I have for 2021 is to... It would make for a good dinner time conversation one day this week! You could also write the sentence starters on paper, cut them into strips, and draw them out of a hat, having each family member take turns drawing a paper and finishing the sentence. www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #reflection #selfreflection #newyeargoals #happynewyear #happynewyear2021

Hi! My name is Janine! I have been a part of the Speech Pathways family for 4 years and have loved every minute of it! From the young to the young at heart, I love workingwith my clients and their families to achievetheir goalsand meet their communication potential. As an SLP, I love tapping into my clients’ strengths to help them learn and grow through fun, meaningful games and activities. There is nothing better than when a client recognizes they can do somethin...g on their own - from asking for their favourite snack, reading, or getting their voice back! I'm so lucky to be welcomed into the lives and homes of my clients to forge strong relationshipsthat last long after we've ended our therapy adventures! When I'm not working, I enjoy discoveringnew trails and parks with my dogs, trying new recipes (while trying to keep off these pandemic pounds), and attempting DIY projects at home. Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Let’s make laundry time into a language time! You have to do laundry anyway, so get your child involved, and use it as an opportunity to add language to their day! Here are 5 ways to add language to your laundry routine:... 1 Vocabulary - add the following language to your laundry routine: labeling clothing items, descriptive concepts (e.g., wet, dry, warm, wrinkly, fluffy), and verbs (e.g., wash, pour, fold). 2 Pronouns - work on she/he/they statements (e.g., "she has two socks) and possessive pronouns by saying who the clothes belong to (e.g., "mommy's dress). 3 Prepositions - use a variety of prepositions (in, on, out, under, etc.) during the laundry routine (e.g., put your pants in the machine). 4 Following Directions - have your child follow directions while helping you with the laundry. This also helps young children develop independence. 5 Categorization - help your child sort clothes into different categories (e.g., clothing type, size, colour, texture). Remember, speech & language time is all the time! Stay tuned for features on other daily routines! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #dailyroutines #addinglanguagetodailyroutines #communication #speech #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp

Let’s talk about pediatric feeding & swallowing! Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are one of the primary providers of pediatric feeding & swallowing services (e.g., feeding assessment). Swallowing problems are called dysphagia (pronounced: dis-FAY-juh). Some minor difficulties with feeding & swallowing occur during development. While infants & toddlers learn to feed, drink, chew & swallow, drinks may spill from their mouths & they may refuse or gag on new foods.... Some signs of ongoing feeding & swallowing problems may include: trouble breathing while eating/drinking, coughing while eating/drinking, liquid coming out of their mouth or nose. There are many possible causes of feeding & swallowing problems. Check with your child’s doctor if you have concerns, and contact a SLP for a feeding & swallowing assessment. Speech Pathways clinicians offer pediatric feeding & swallowing assessments, and will provide strategies to help improve your child’s feeding & swallowing abilities. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #dysphagia #feedingdisorders #swallowingdisorders #feedingslp #swallowingslp #dontwaitandsee #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp References: - https://www.asha.org//Feeding-and-Swallowing-Disorders-in/

Hi! My name is Hayley and I love working with children. Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to work with children when I grew up. My passions include working with late talkers, children with apraxia, school-age children and working on articulation. Seeing the child’s face light up when they see me is by far the best part of my job. I love getting to know each child, and celebrating with them and their parents when they achieve their speech and language goals. M...y aim is to make my sessions lots of fun, so the child does not even realize they are actually doing work. Outside of work you will find me spending time with my family, learning about a new dinosaur with my 7-year-old dinosaur enthusiast, starting a new craft project or spending time outside before winter arrives. Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Halloween will certainly be different this year without trick-or-treating (due to COVID-19 restrictions in our area), but this message of kindness and compassion is always relevant. This week on the Speech Pathways Instagram & Facebook stories, we will be sharing our favourite Halloween activities for children, including: Movies Books ... Sensory Bins Crafts For those of you who participate in Halloween, hopefully these ideas will help you plan a day of Halloween fun this Saturday, October 31st. www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #halloween #happyhalloween #halloweenfun #halloweenideas #halloweenideas2020

Let’s talk about teletherapy! Teletherapy (or virtual visits) are a fantastic therapy option for any clients who cannot do in-person visits for reasons such as travel, illness, or quarantine restrictions. Teletherapy is also used to provide services to individuals who live in rural or remote locations. Teletherapy is more than your average FaceTime call! Speech-Language Pathologists use specific apps, games and their own personally created activities to keep both child...ren and adults motivated, engaged and achieving their speech therapy goals. Don’t let this pandemic stop you or your child from achieving speech therapy goals! SLPs use teletherapy to provide services to individuals of all ages! Speech Pathways clinicians have been providing clients with teletherapy services since March 2020 when the COVID-19 restrictions prevented in-person visits. We are so thankful to have this service delivery method to continue supporting our clients! Please note, we are also offering in-person visits at this time, both in homes and at our office, with increased safety protocols. Call Speech Pathways at 905-302-0264 for more information. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #dontwaitandsee #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #teletherapy #teletherapyslp #telepractice #telepracticeslp #virtualtherapy #virtualspeechtherapy #virtualslp

Happy Diwali and Happy Bandi Chhor Divas! Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali is a festival of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. - Hindus celebrate the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. - Sikhs celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind Sahib in 1619. ... - Jains celebrate the anniversary of nirvana (final release) or liberation of Mahavira's soul, the twenty fourth and last Jain Tirthankara. Diwali is celebrated through prayer, exchanging of sweets and presents, fireworks, and lighting of candles and diyas or divas (clay lamps). Activities: 1. Diwali sweets: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/lets-have-fun-with-diwali/ 2. Make your own diyas: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/make-your-own-diyas-for-d/ 3. Rangoli crafts: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/rangoli-craft-idea-for-ki/ Books: 1. Binny's Diwali by Thrity Umrigar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne3cJCL2_YA 2. Amma, Tell Me About Diwali! by Bhakti Mathur: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8uDDBvASiY 3. Let's learn about Bandi Chhor Divas, Kids! by Gurkiran Sandhu 4. Let's Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali! by Ajanta Chakraborty 5. Lilu makes Diyas by Devika Joglekar

Let’s talk about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)! Augmentative communication: something (e.g., gestures, pictures, written text, a letter board) is used in addition to speech to make a message clearer to a listener. Alternative communication: something (e.g., pictures, speech generating device/app) is used instead of speech, either because an individual cannot speak or their speech is not understandable. Many different individuals can benefit from usi...ng AAC, including: individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., autism) that affect speech development, and individuals with acquired disorders (e.g., stroke) that impaired their ability to speak. October is AAC Awareness Month! Speech Pathways clinicians can evaluate a child or adult’s communication abilities to determine if they could benefit from AAC, and what form of AAC might be the right fit for them. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca (link in bio!) www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #AAC #AACawareness #AACaware20 #augmentativeandalternativecommunication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp References: - https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/what-is-aac

Let’s read November book recommendations! The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. The story about Brian, an invisible boy, who seems to go unnoticed until a new boy at school makes him feel welcome. This story is great for teaching children about kindness and inclusivity. Let's Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi. The story about Harini, whose class shares the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist Diwali traditions during show and tell. This story is great for helping children lea...rn about different cultures and traditions. We’ve provided a couple ideas in the post for ways to work on some language and social skills while reading these books. Don’t have the books? No problem! Search them on YouTube to find video read alouds. You can listen & watch along, or mute & read to your child. Come back each month for more children’s book recommendations! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #speech #communication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #letsread #readwithchildren #familyreadingtime #childrensbooks #bookrecommendations #childrensbookrecommendations #monthlybooks

Hi! My name is Alessia. I've been on the Speech Pathways team for almost 5 years. Our team is more than just work, we are a family. Whether it's annual ski retreats or get togethers, I not only love working with this intelligent group of clinicians, but also love spending time with them. It's truly a blessing to be part of such a great team. I have a strong passion for working with late talkers, literacy and apraxia, but most of all, I absolutely love developing close... and personal relationships with my families. There is nothing that brings me more joy than watching a child say their first word or watching them develop a love for reading. When I'm not working, I absolutely love travelling off the beaten path, skiing, planning surprise parties for loved ones, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring farmer's markets in the city, and getting lost in a good book. Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Hi! My name is Shanan, and I love my job as an SLP! It is so rewarding to see my clients work towards and achieve their goals. I love being able to be a part of that journey! I have a strong passion for working with children who have motor speech, articulation, and literacy difficulties. Before becoming an SLP, I worked as a literacy tutor for 4 years! When I’m not working, I love travelling (hopefully again someday soon!), reading, hiking and doing yoga. Each w...eek we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Let’s play with a toy farm! Swipe for some ideas on how to work on different areas of speech & language, all while playing with a toy farm! We’ve provided ideas to work on the following during this activity: articulation... fluency early language school-age language literacy social communication Have a question about how to work on speech & language during play with your child? Send us a message or leave a comment below www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #letsplay #playtime #toyfarm #toyanimals #toyfarmplay #earlyinterventiontoys #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp

Hi! My name is Ina, and I have a strong passion for working with children. Helping children to become better communicators is my primary goal as a SLP. However, seeing the significant impact that my professional role has on the lives of these children and their families gives me a deeper understanding as to why I love the job that I do. Something most people don’t know about me is that I speak four languages (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, English, French, and Spanish)! Sp...eaking multiple languages helps me view the world through multiple perspectives, which helps me to better understand others. This allows me to create stronger bonds with the people around me, and continues to impact my life in positive ways. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family, playing with my nephews, listening to music, and learning about other cultures and languages. Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

It’s an honour to have made it to the final round of voting! We made the list of the top 10 nominees for Best Speech Therapy Services in the Toronto Star’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2020! Thank you to all our amazing clients who nominated us during the nomination period! Speech Pathways has been providing high-quality speech therapy services to our clients throughout the GTA for over 10 years. Those wishing to vote for Speech Pathways to receive the Best Speech The...rapy Services award can do so by going to https://www.thestar.com//subcatego/speech-therapy-services and clicking vote bedside Speech Pathways. A green checkmark will appear, indicating that your vote was received. Voting ends October 11th www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #torontostar #readerschoiceawards2020 #bestspeechtherapyservices #nominated #gtaslp

Here are some craft ideas for those families celebrating Navratri and Dassehra! We hope these ideas will aid in your family's celebration at home with your children, despite COVID-19 restrictions that prevent larger gatherings. For those who are not familiar with these celebrations, Navatri and Dassehra are Hindu festivals. Other religions in India also celebrate Dussehra culturally. October 17, 2020 Navratri begins. Navratri is celebrated for 9 days, and on each day a diff...erent form of Goddess Durga is celebrated through prayer and fasting. October 25, 2020 Dassehra. Dassehra marks the end of Navratri and is celebrated by watching enactments of Ram Leela and burning of the demon Raavan. It marks the celebration of good over evil. Craft ideas: 1. Dandiya Sticks: https://artsycraftsymom.com/navatri-special-9-days-9-craft/ 2. Rangoli: https://artsycraftsymom.com/day-3-draw-a-rangoli-in-15-min/ 3. Paper flowers for home decorations: https://artsycraftsymom.com/day-4-diy-paper-marigold-flowe/ 4. Durga Ma Crafts: https://artsycraftsymom.com/day-6-durga-maa-crafts/ 5. Dussehra Crafts - Paper Towel Ravana: https://artsycraftsymom.com/dussehra-crafts-to-recreate-ra/ 6. Dussehra Crafts - Ramayana puppets: https://i2.wp.com//2013/10/DIY-Ramayana-Puppet-Craft-1.jpg

Let’s play with fall crafts! Swipe for some ideas on how to work on different areas of speech & language, all while doing different fall crafts! We’ve provided ideas to work on the following during fall crafts: articulation... fluency early language school-age language literacy social communication Have a question about how to work on speech & language during play/crafts with your child? Send us a message or leave a comment below www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #letsplay #playtime #leafart #leafcrafts #crafttime #arttime #kidscrafts #fallcrafts #fallcraftsforkids #kidsart #fallartforkids #earlyinterventiontoys #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp

October is AAC Awareness Month! The goal is to raise awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using communication devices. See the image for some AAC & educational apps that are on sale for the month of October as part of AAC Awareness Month.

Hi! My name is Cassie, and I love my job as a Speech Pathologist! It is always rewarding seeing my clients working towards their goals while having fun! Not only do I enjoy seeing my clients learn, I love learning myself - I’ve been taking Spanish classes for almost 2 years. I grew up in a very small town of only 600 people, which led to my passion for travelling and learning more about different cultures. I love when my clients and their families share about their... family life, and teach me something new! Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

I spy I spy 6 black bats, and 5 scarecrows wearing straw hats. I spy a raccoon going trick or treating, and a big pumpkin with a friendly greeting.... What else do you spy? Tell us in the comments below I spy games are a fun way to work on a variety of speech and language skills! Screenshot this picture so you can zoom in on your phone and play I spy with your child! Here are a few ideas: articulation - search for items in the I spy picture that contain the speech sound(s) your child is working on (e.g., for r - I spy a raccoon) fluency - use fluency strategies (e.g., slow speech rate) while talking about what you find in the picture school-age language - work on answering questions (e.g., What are some fall items in this picture? When do we see bats? Why do farmers put scarecrows in their fields? Why do leaves change colours?) early literacy - generate rhyming words for some items in the picture (e.g., bat-hat, crow-grow, grain-train). Come back on the first Thursday of every month for another I spy page! #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #speech #communication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #letsplay #ispy #ispywithmylittleeye #ispypicture #ispyfall #ispyhalloween

Let’s talk about late talkers! A "late talker" is a child who is: 18-20 months old with less than 10 words 21-24 months old with less than 25 words 24-30 months old with less than 50 words or no 2-word phrases... no concerns in any other developmental areas (e.g., understanding, social skills, motor) Research shows that 20-30% of late talkers are eventually identified as having language disorders. These children continue to have clear, observable difficulties with acquiring & using language through elementary school. The other 70-80% of late talkers are considered to be late bloomers because they appear to catch up to their peers (Capone Singleton, 2018). But research shows that these children may experience social, language, literacy & executive functioning weaknesses persisting into adolescence (Hawa et al., 2014). Speech Pathways clinicians offer early intervention services to late talkers, including parent coaching to provide parents with strategies to support their child’s language development. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca (link in bio!) www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #latetalker #latetalkers #speechdelay #languagedelay #speechdevelopment #languagedevelopment #dontwaitandsee #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp References: - @myspeechpocket post graphic & caption - The Hanen Centre article Don’t Wait and See, Research Suggests by Lauren Lowry, 2018

Let’s talk about the terms delay and disorder Delay: child is developing skills in a typical manner, but is doing so slower than same-age peers. Disorder: child is not developing skills as expected & differences may be atypical (not typical). Delay vs disorder in speech: a speech delay could sound something like a child saying tup for cup (using the t sound instead of k sound). Whereas a speech disorder could sound something like a child saying tup, up o...r cup for cup (sound errors are not the same each time they say the word). Delay vs disorder in literacy: a child with a reading delay may be delayed in learning how to blend, but they can blend sounds together to read a variety of words. However when a child has a reading disorder, they may be able to blend some words and not others (sometimes they are relying on memory to read). For children with delays, therapy will speed up progress, and potentially get their skills up to age/grade level. Typically, the earlier a delay is addressed, the better the outcomes. For children with disorders, therapy is essential because they will not outgrow the difficulties. They need intensive, structured instruction to improve their skills. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca PS if you’re wondering about the 5 components of literacy mentioned in this post, check out our previous posts on literacy development & literacy disorders. #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #speechdelay #speechdelays #speechdisorder #spechdisorders #delay #disorder #diagnosis

Hi! My name is Anja, and I am thrilled to be a part of the Speech Pathways team!I enjoy working with both adults and children, with a specific interest in supporting youth and their families.I love that as SLPs we get to work with all age groups, and a wide range of speech and language needs. We are always learning throughout our profession, and I find that so rewarding! Fun facts about me: I will never say no to coffee, I am an adventure enthusiast (I skydived in... the Swiss Alps!), and I love hanging out with friends and family. I prefer to spend my days outside, and stay active with whatever appeals to me at the time - right now its walking, and quick at home workouts! Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Hi! My name is Mary, and I've been with Speech Pathways since 2014. Voice disorders, speech sounds, social communication, literacy... I love working with people of all ages! My favourite part of being an SLP is the "light bulb" moment when my kiddos figure out a new concept. I love being a part of their lives - it's always sad to say goodbye when clients meet their goals, but so exciting to see them succeed! I think kids learn the best when they're having fun - wh...y not do therapy sessions sitting under the kitchen table? It makes a great fort! I saw an SLP when I was a child ("s" sounds were tricky), and I still remember all of the silly games we played. When I'm not at work, you can usually find me chasing after my 2 year old son - dancing around the kitchen, digging holes in the backyard, jumping in puddles, and searching for pinecones on hiking paths! In whatever spare time I have left over, I love to fit in some yoga, knitting, or canoeing! Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam www.speechpathways.ca

Let’s make dressing routines into a language time! Daily routines are the things we do every day - eat, sleep, get dressed, etc. These daily routines are all great opportunities to add more language into your child’s daily life! The best part it, you already do them! This week we are sharing 5 tips for adding more language to your dressing routines! Every day has at least 2 dressing routines - getting dressed each morning & getting ready for bed each night.... Here are 5 things you can work on with your child during dressing routines: 1 Vocabulary - label clothing items & body parts, & use a variety of prepositions (on, off, under, over). 2 Following Directions - have your child follow directions as part of their dressing routine. This also helps young children work on their ability to dress independently. 3 Describing - describe clothing and/or body parts with different descriptive words, e.g., size, shape, feel, colour, etc. 4 Sequencing - before your child gets dressed, ask them to explain the steps involved in getting dressed. Use first, next, then structure if they need some support to organize their sequence of steps. 5 Associations - for school-age children, use a simple routine, such as dressing, to introduce higher level language concepts, e.g., associations - how two items "go together. Remember, speech & language time is all the time! Stay tuned for features on other daily routines! #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #dailyroutines #dressingroutine #earlyintervention #addinglanguagetodailyroutines #communication #speech www.speechpathways.ca

Let’s talk about literacy disorders! Literacy is the ability to read & write. Literacy disorders involve a difficulty in learning to read and/or write, & may affect any of the 5 components of literacy. 5 Components of literacy: 1) Phonemic awareness: hearing & manipulating phonemes (sounds) in words. 2) Phonics: knowing the relationship between written letters & spoken sounds. 3) Fluency: reading accurately & quickly. 4) Vocabulary: knowing word meanings. 5) Comprehensio...n: understanding text. A literacy disorder can be a distinct diagnosis, or co-occur with other conditions (e.g., learning disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder), but there is not always a known cause for a literacy delay or disorder. 3 Different disorders impacting literacy: 1) Language disorders: difficulty with multiple aspects of language & learning, including writing, reading & comprehension. 2) Dyslexia: difficulty with writing & reading, but adequate comprehension. 3) Hyperlexia: difficulty with vocabulary & comprehension, but good reading fluency. Speech Pathways clinicians can evaluate your child’s literacy level and areas of difficulty & strength, and develop a suitable treatment plan to help motivate your child to learn to read & write! Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #literacy #literacydevelopment #literacydisorders #languagedisorders #dyslexia #hylerlexia #reading #writing #learntoread #learntowrite #backtoschool References: - https://www.speechpathways.ca/children-reading/ - http://www.speechlanguage-resources.com/language-literacy-d

Let’s make bath time into a language time! Daily routines are the things we do every day - eat, sleep, bathe, etc. These daily routines are all great opportunities to add more language into your child’s daily life! The best part it, you already do them! Here are 5 things you can work on with your child during bath time:... 1 Joint Attention - for kids 2 years & younger, work on you & the child attending to the same object (joint attention). This might be blowing bubbles or splashing with bath toys. Wait for your child to look at you to indicate they want the activity repeated. 2 Vocabulary - Add the following language to your child's bath time routine: labeling body parts, descriptive concepts (e.g., wet, dry, warm, cold), verbs (e.g., scrub, wash, splash). 3 Sequencing - Use bath time as an opportunity to talk about what you will do that day (if it's morning), or what you did that day (if it's night). 4 Asking & Answering Questions - for night time baths, pick an activity you did that day & ask/answer questions about the activity. 5 Pretend/Imaginative Play - make bath time fun with some imaginative play by giving your child a simple item & helping them to imagine the different things it can be. Remember, speech & language time is all the time! Stay tuned for features on other daily routines! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #dailyroutines #addinglanguagetodailyroutines #communication #speech #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp

Let’s talk about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)! Augmentative communication: something (e.g., gestures, pictures, written text, a letter board) is used in addition to speech to make a message clearer to a listener. Alternative communication: something (e.g., pictures, speech generating device/app) is used instead of speech, either because an individual cannot speak or their speech is not understandable. Many different individuals can benefit from usi...ng AAC, including: individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., autism) that affect speech development, and individuals with acquired disorders (e.g., stroke) that impaired their ability to speak. October is AAC Awareness Month! Speech Pathways clinicians can evaluate a child or adult’s communication abilities to determine if they could benefit from AAC, and what form of AAC might be the right fit for them. Each week we’ll talk about another area of speech & language therapy! For more information on all our service areas, visit our website www.speechpathways.ca (link in bio!) www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #communication #speech #AAC #AACawareness #AACaware20 #augmentativeandalternativecommunication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp References: - https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/what-is-aac

Hi! My name is Gagan! I’ve been on the Speech Pathways team since 2018! Starting right out of grad school was quite daunting, but being part of such an amazing team that supported me every step of the way made it an incredible experience! I have made life-long friends that have changed me for the better. I love working with clients and families! I also love getting updates via text messages, emails, and phone calls. What truly brings me happiness is seeing my client...s excel, and developing close relationships that continue long after therapy is over. Outside of being a speech therapist, I love cooking, fitness, and travelling (hopefully again soon!). Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam www.speechpathways.ca

Hi! My name is Alessia. I've been on the Speech Pathways team for almost 5 years. Our team is more than just work, we are a family. Whether it's annual ski retreats or get togethers, I not only love working with this intelligent group of clinicians, but also love spending time with them. It's truly a blessing to be part of such a great team. I have a strong passion for working with late talkers, literacy and apraxia, but most of all, I absolutely love developing close... and personal relationships with my families. There is nothing that brings me more joy than watching a child say their first word or watching them develop a love for reading. When I'm not working, I absolutely love travelling off the beaten path, skiing, planning surprise parties for loved ones, experimenting in the kitchen, exploring farmer's markets in the city, and getting lost in a good book. Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

Let’s play with play-dough! Swipe for some ideas on how to work on different areas of speech & language, all while playing with play-dough! Play-dough has endless opportunities for language & creativity. Due to the current increased health & safety protocols at daycares & schools, this is likely an activity your child will not be engaging in outside of the house! Thankfully, this will make play-dough an even more exciting & different activity for home play (and hope...fully keep kids entertaining for even longer ) We’ve provided ideas to work on the following during this activity: articulation fluency early language school-age language literacy social communication Have a question about how to work on speech & language during play with your child? Send us a message or leave a comment below #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #letsplay #playtime #playdoh #playdohfun #playdohcreations #playdough #playdoughfun #playdoughcreations #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas www.speechpathways.ca

Let’s play with a toy farm! Swipe for some ideas on how to work on different areas of speech & language, all while playing with a toy farm! We’ve provided ideas to work on the following during this activity: articulation... fluency early language school-age language literacy social communication Have a question about how to work on speech & language during play with your child? Send us a message or leave a comment below www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #letsplay #playtime #toyfarm #toyanimals #toyfarmplay #earlyinterventiontoys #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp

It’s an honour to have made it to the final round of voting! We made the list of the top 10 nominees for Best Speech Therapy Services in the Toronto Star’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2020! Thank you to all our amazing clients who nominated us during the nomination period! Speech Pathways has been providing high-quality speech therapy services to our clients throughout the GTA for over 10 years. Those wishing to vote for Speech Pathways to receive the Best Speech The...rapy Services award can do so by going to https://www.thestar.com//subcatego/speech-therapy-services and clicking vote bedside Speech Pathways. A green checkmark will appear, indicating that your vote was received. Voting ends October 11th www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #torontostar #readerschoiceawards2020 #bestspeechtherapyservices #nominated #gtaslp

A Speech Pathways Speech-Language Pathologist, Brianna, will be presenting a series of 4 speech and language workshops for parents in October! The workshops are presented by CDRCP - EarlyON Child and Family Centre. Register for the workshops: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/cdrcp-earlyon-31104559387

Hi! My name is Cassie, and I love my job as a Speech Pathologist! It is always rewarding seeing my clients working towards their goals while having fun! Not only do I enjoy seeing my clients learn, I love learning myself - I’ve been taking Spanish classes for almost 2 years. I grew up in a very small town of only 600 people, which led to my passion for travelling and learning more about different cultures. I love when my clients and their families share about their... family life, and teach me something new! Each week we’ll introduce you to another one of our awesome clinicians! Stay tuned! www.speechpathways.ca [email protected] 905-302-0264 #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #meettheteam

I spy I spy 6 black bats, and 5 scarecrows wearing straw hats. I spy a raccoon going trick or treating, and a big pumpkin with a friendly greeting.... What else do you spy? Tell us in the comments below I spy games are a fun way to work on a variety of speech and language skills! Screenshot this picture so you can zoom in on your phone and play I spy with your child! Here are a few ideas: articulation - search for items in the I spy picture that contain the speech sound(s) your child is working on (e.g., for r - I spy a raccoon) fluency - use fluency strategies (e.g., slow speech rate) while talking about what you find in the picture school-age language - work on answering questions (e.g., What are some fall items in this picture? When do we see bats? Why do farmers put scarecrows in their fields? Why do leaves change colours?) early literacy - generate rhyming words for some items in the picture (e.g., bat-hat, crow-grow, grain-train). Come back on the first Thursday of every month for another I spy page! #speechpathways #speechtherapy #speechlanguagepathologist #speechlanguagepathology #privatepractice #speech #communication #earlyintervention #earlyinterventionslp #letsplay #ispy #ispywithmylittleeye #ispypicture #ispyfall #ispyhalloween