Speech Impairment

Ministry Criteria

A disorder in language formulation that may be associated with neurological, psychological, physical or sensory factors; that involves perceptual motor aspects of transmitting oral messages; and that may be characterized by impairment in articulation, rhythm and stress.

Board Criteria

The student displays a severe impairment in articulation, phonology, motor speech and/or fluency which results in unintelligible speech and may reduce social and/or emotional development as documented by a Speech-Language Pathologist.

The Difference Between Speech and Language

Requirements

A written report from a Speech-Language Pathologist who is a member of the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologist which describes the nature and severity of the speech difficulty.

Our Resources

What services are available at school for my child?

The Board employs Speech Language Pathologists who consult to schools to support students with communication problems. They are part of three teams:

Augmentative Communication Team
Who provide service to students who are nonverbal or who have limited speech.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Team
Who provide service to students with the diagnosis of Autism.

Family of Schools Team
Who provide service to all other students with speech or language problems.

The Board also offers a specific short term program to support children who have identified speech and/or language needs. This is the Primary Speech and Language Centre. See document below for details:

PSLC Brochure 2017

Downloads

External Resources

CASLPO
http://www.caslpo.com

Appropriate during COVID-19 situation:

Parents of School-Age Children who Stutter, Don't Panic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ67MVs_ui ...

For Parents of School-Age Children: Focus on the Big Picture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4FbkNJr8t ...

Parents of Children who Stutter: DOs and DON'Ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip0KxzMspY ...

Contact Information

Who can I talk to about Speech Language Pathology services for my child?

You can ask the Principal of your child’s school, your child’s teacher, or the school Special Education Resource Teacher about how to access services. Or, you can contact

Michelle Torsney, M.A. Reg. CASLPO
Manager of Speech, Language + Hearing Services
905-525-2930 ext. 2889
torsneym@hwcdsb.ca