Halton Hills Speech & Language Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about speech-language therapy services. If you have a question that is not listed, please feel free to contact us.

Do I need a doctor’s referral to see a speech-language pathologist? 

No! There is no need for a doctor’s referral to have an assessment, consultation or treatment with a speech-language pathologist. Please check with your insurance company as they *may* require a doctor’s note before the first visit for services to be covered. Each plan is different, so we recommend checking first. 

Will my benefits cover private speech-language pathology services?

Most extended health care benefits cover speech-language pathology services. It is important to check your insurance company’s requirements-some require a doctor’s note before the first visit for services to be covered. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to determine the nature and the extent of your extended health care benefits. We do not do direct billing. Don’t have private insurance? Ask us about government funding (such as but not limited to Disability Tax Credit, Child Disability Benefit and the Ontario Autism Program).

How can I get my speech-language pathology services covered by my insurance? 

After payment, you will receive a receipt for services rendered. This receipt will have the Speech-Language Pathologists name, credentials and registration number-what you need to be reimbursed. Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to determine the nature and the extent of your extended health care benefits. We do not do direct billing. 

How can I pay? 

We accept cash, e-transfer or credit card.

What should I expect at my first visit?

The initial speech assessment can look very different depending on the person’s age and goals.

For children, the speech assessment will include a case history/ review of the intake form, and if necessary review of past reports. Communication will be assessed using play based and interactive activities as well as possibly standardized assessments. The Speech-Language Pathologist will look at the strengths and weaknesses and recommend personalized functional goals that will improve the area(s) of concern. These recommendations will be communicated at the end of the visit. 

For adults, the speech assessment will include a case history/ review of the intake form and if necessary review of past reports. Then, communication will be assessed using standardized and non standardized assessments, series of tasks and/or tests to assess the area(s) of concern. The Speech-Language Pathologist will look at the strengths and weaknesses and recommend personalized functional goals that will improve the areas of concern. These recommendations will be provided at the end of the visit. 

Where is the office? 

115 Main Street South, Lower Level 1 in the heart of downtown Georgetown. The building is the same building as the Co-operators Insurance Group. Parking is free. Plenty of overflow street parking close to the building as well.

You can enter through the front or back of the building—whichever is easiest for you.

  • Back entrance: Drive to the rear of the building and come in through the back door. The chairs in the waiting room will be on your right.
  • Front entrance: Enter through the front door, proceed downstairs, turn right, and walk straight ahead until you see the chairs.

Please make yourself comfortable in the waiting room, and your clinician will be with you at your appointment time.

How long will therapy be? 

The first assessment is up to 1 hour (60 minutes) and the following therapy sessions are up to 45 minutes. For many clients, weekly therapy is recommended. 

But… If you are asking how many therapy sessions it will take to complete your goals then the answer is-it depends. Factors that influence the length of time needed to be in speech therapy include (but not limited to): type and severity of the concern, age and motivation of the person receiving the therapy, frequency of therapy, home practice and support. 

How often should I have speech therapy? 

For many clients, weekly therapy is recommended, however personalized recommendations will be communicated with you at the end of the initial assessment. Typically, you will have the same day/time for speech therapy reserved for you. For example: Tuesdays at 3:30pm is reserved for Tommy. He knows that every Tuesday at 3:30pm he has speech therapy. If he knows he will be away next Tuesday- no problem! He can cancel his appointment online (using the online booking system) OR contact us to cancel that appointment. Out of respect for the schedule and those on the waitlist, please notify us as soon as you know you need to cancel an appointment. 

What if the time offered for assessment or therapy is during my child’s school day?

We do our best to offer as much availability as possible to accommodate client/ family preference. The more flexible you are the faster you will get an appointment spot.

Our early morning and after-school appointments are always in very high demand, often booked months in advance. Many of our families recognize that attending speech-language therapy during school hours can be an important part of supporting their child’s academic and social development. It’s more beneficial for your child to receive speech therapy, even if it means missing a small portion of class time, than to miss out on the support altogether. The skills developed in therapy will make a meaningful difference in their overall learning and communication.

Can anyone call themselves a speech language pathologist? 

No! Anyone cannot call themselves a Speech-Language Pathologist in Ontario and in many other regions. This is a protected title meaning it can only be used by individuals who have at least a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology and belong to our governing body, CASLPO (College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists).

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so…get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!