Spark Therapy provides both evaluations and therapy sessions at our clinic.
We can also provide evaluations and therapy sessions at your child's school.
Our services are covered under most extended health insurance plans. Other funding may be available. Please contact us for more information.
What is the DIR Model?
The DIR Model, developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, is a comprehensive developmental model used to identify an individual's unique profile in three main areas.
D: Developmental Milestones
There are 6 basic Social-Emotional Developmental Milestones that allow each of us to relate, socialize, think, and communicate.
I: Individual Differences
Individual processing abilities allow us to learn from our environments. These include sensory integration, visual-spatial processing, motor planning/sequencing, and auditory processing /language.
R: Relationships
Learning occurs through our relationships and sometimes relationships need to be adjusted to optimize emotional and cognitive development
DIR/Floortime builds abilities through interactive relationships. It challenges the individual to achieve and develop regardless of labels or diagnosis.
Who is DIR/Floortime for:
It is often said that DIR/Floortime is a treatment for children diagnosed with autism but that is only part of the truth! In actuality, DIR/Floortime focuses on the developmental abilities of an individual regardless of the age or diagnosis. Children and adults with genetic disorders, developmental disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders, attention/learning difficulties, and/or physical impairments can all benefit from the DIR/Floortime approach of ensuring a strong foundation for relating, socializing, thinking, and communicating.
www.icdl.com
www.stanleygreenspan.com
www.profectum.org
PROMPT is a technique that uses tactile cues to guide a client through a targeted word, phrase, or sentence. It develops motor control and the proper oral motor movements necessary for accurate speech production. PROMPT therapy is appropriate for a wide range of patients with communication disorders. The most common patients have motor speech disorders, articulation problems or are non-verbal children. Many patients with aphasia, apraxia/dyspraxia, dysarthria, pervasive development disorders, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injuries and autism spectrum disorders have benefitted from PROMPT therapy. Speech language pathologists at Spark Therapy have completed PROMPT levels 1 and 2 trainings and are highly experienced in applying PROMPTs with a wide range of clients and communication difficulties.
www.promptinstitute.com
The Lidcombe Program is a behavioural intervention developed to treat stuttering in preschool aged children. It is an extremely effective, direct treatment program for early stuttering. It is a parent-based intervention in which the parents are coached on providing appropriate feedback about fluency and stuttering to their child.
http://sydney.edu.au
http://www.montrealfluency.com
Our AAC Communication and Writing Aids program support individuals of all ages who have difficulty with verbal and/or written communication. We have SLPs and OTs on staff who are certified individual authorizers and can prescribe through the Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP). This program may provide partial or full funding for the appropriate devices, software, and/or equipment. We assess a client's needs, prescribe devices, and provide training/ follow-up services.
Teachers and other professionals with high levels of voice usage should note that we are able to prescribe voice amplifiers for those who suffer from chronic voice issues. Please contact us for more information or to arrange for an evaluation!
Over the years, we've provided many specially designed workshops for parents, teachers, and therapists. Topics have included:
Building Relationships: Teachers and Therapists Working Together
Classroom Strategies and Interventions: Support All Children within Your Classroom
Foundations for Learning
Social-Emotional Development
Promoting Communication Skills in Adults with Developmental Delays
Promoting Communication Skills in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Promoting Communication Skills in the Elementary Grades
Handwriting in the Elementary Grades
Impact of Perceptual Skills on Reading and Writing
Treat your staff or parent body to a well-designed and relevant learning experience! Contact us to find out more about our custom workshops.
CCAC Services: We work closely with local schools and the Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) to provide fully funded School Support Health Services (SSHS). These services may include speech, occupational, or physiotherapy, as well as, specialized equipment, personal support workers, dieticians, and nursing services necessary.
The advantages of school services include no travel time, less class time missed, support within the school environment, consultation available for the school staff and teachers, and no after school therapy interfering with extra-curricular activities. We can provide services at your child's school even if they are not funded by CCAC – ask us about different funding options!
Developmental Screenings: We also provide preschool and elementary age developmental screenings. This allows a school to measure progress year by year and ensure that the children in need receive timely intervention.
Do you feel intimidated by school personnel? We can help you through the maze of school services, IEP meetings, and options. Call us to review your child's needs.
