The Speech Therapy Client’s Journey

From referral to discharge: what happens when your child needs speech therapy

Navigating speech and language services for your child can feel overwhelming, even confusing. 

But you’re not alone –  especially in a post-pandemic world where speech and language pathologists (SLPs) have become an increasingly vital support. In fact, about one in ten kids will rely on speech therapy  at some point during their development; sometimes only for a single session, and other times for many years.

At Speakable, our private speech-language clinic in Montreal and Toronto, we follow  strict clinic procedures to ensure families receive quality care and know what to expect at each stage of the patient’s journey – from speech therapy assessment to treatment to discharge. Here’s what your child’s journey might look like.

1. Referral and Contact

How to reach a speech therapist

The speech therapy journey typically begins with a referral – often from a teacher, doctor, daycare provider, or of the parent’s own initiative. 

Referrals come from, in roughly equal measure, both the school system or a medical professional, usually a pediatrician. For private speech therapy, no medical referral is required. You can contact Speakable directly by phone or email to get things started.

2. Intake

How we prepare for your first SLP visit

Upon contacting us, families complete a three-page intake form with general questions to help us understand your child’s communication challenges, and whether they are struggling with articulation, language, stuttering, or another concern. But this is only a starting point. 

The information from this intake form allows our team of speech-language pathologists to tailor our initial approach and prepares the team for the upcoming  assessment.

3. The Speech Therapy Assessment

What to expect at your first SLP appointment

The first in-person step is the speech-language assessment, usually scheduled for 45 minutes but lasting up to three or four sessions, depending on your child’s age and needs.

For younger the children, less time is typically required for an assessment. Toddlers and preschoolers could often complete an assessment in one or two  sessions and, school aged kids could sometimes require two or three sessions. Assessments spanning four or more sessions are less common. 

We encourage parents to join their child during the assessment, especially for younger kids. The younger the child, the more child-led and play-based an assessment is going to be. For older children, assessments tend to become more structured, including standardized tools to evaluate specific areas of speech and language such as articulation, reading, writing, and/or fluency.

The experience is usually enjoyable for the child, and our team is focused on helping parents feel at ease as well. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about the speech therapy process, timelines, and expected outcomes. We believe that demystifying the process builds trust and empowers parents.

4. Feedback and Report Delivery

Receiving your speech therapy assessment results and written report

Following the assessment, families receive immediately feedback with a formal written report provided within three weeks. The detailed SLP report typically includes:

• Standardized test scores
• Analysis and possible diagnosis
• A customized intervention plan
• Tailored Recommendations

Families receive a notification when the assessment report is ready,  either through our secure online clinical platform or via email containing a password-protected PDF. The report is typically 3-12 pages long and forms the roadmap for your child’s speech therapy treatment. It’s also a valuable tool to share with teachers, doctors, or other professionals working with your child.

5. Deciding on Therapy

Private speech therapy that fits your family’s needs

After reviewing the report, families decide whether or not to proceed with speech therapy. Parents can take the time needed to read and discuss the report as a family. There’s no pressure — our SLPs work collaboratively with you to make an informed choice.

Sessions are scheduled based on the family’s availability, and there is no commitment or requirement. However, consistent treatment when recommended offers the best outcomes. Therapy is most commonly carried out weekly or every other week, depending on the child’s needs which may evolve over time. Flexibility is part of our model at Speakable.

6. The Treatment Journey

Speech therapy progress: Tracking milestones

Speech therapy duration is highly individualized and progress is closely monitored. Some children require only a handful of sessions, while others continue therapy for months or even years, depending on the nature of their challenges.

We provide regular updates, both in-session and through our secure online portal. You’ll always know where your child stands in their speech therapy progress. SLPs remain available to answer questions or adjust the plan as your child progresses.

7. Discharge and Beyond

Speech therapy discharge: What happens next?

Once your child meets their therapy goals, we begin preparing for speech therapy discharge. This transition is collaborative – you won’t be caught off guard. If any ongoing concerns remain, we discuss continuing support or periodic check-ins.

8. Success of Speech Therapy

Evidence-based speech therapy that works

At Speakable, we’re proud to offer evidence-based speech therapy tailored to every child. Our team of licensed speech-language pathologists are committed to helping your child reach their communication milestones every step of the way. Achieving therapy goals together is the greatest reward for our therapists. 

“To be collaborating with a family in the best interests of their child, to help them feel empowered, and to know that progress has been made gives our team an immense sense of pride,” said Speakable founder and clinical director Tamara Paull. 

This comprehensive, collaborative and science-based journey ensures every family has the support, resources, and reassurance they need for success at every stage.

For more information: info@speakableslp.com

Ready to begin speech therapy in Montreal or Toronto?
Book your child’s SLP assessment today. Call us at 438-300-3146