Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions.
Services
What is an initial consultation?
An initial consultation is a thirty-minute meeting with a speech-language pathologist where you can:
Ask questions
Establish fit (determine if the speech-language pathologist is a good match for you)
Discuss your concerns and situation
Get information on possible treatment plans, duration of treatment
Work with the speech-language pathologist to co-formulate a plan of action for assessment and treatment
If applicable, receive screening results
An initial consultation is required for all new clients. This is an important step in Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy's model for service. For clients who have specific concerns (i.e., frontal lisp), treatment can start in the first 60-minute session. For our clients who have more nuanced concerns (i.e., social skills) the initial consultation will help the speech-language pathologist determine what type of assessment is necessary. A further assessment is conducted during the first 60-minute appointment.
You can schedule your initial consultation right now and get started.
Do you provide services online?
Yes, we offer appointments online over Zoom. If you wish to have your appointment online, you will need a computer/tablet with a microphone and camera. If you are familiar with Skype or FaceTime, then you are ready to go. Contact us for more information.
Do you offer home visits?
We currently do not conduct home visits because of low demand. If you require or would like to have our services via home visit, please add yourself to this list to show your interest.
Do you offer practice groups?
Yes, we do. We offer four different four-week group programs, each at $260 (HST inclusive). The groups are intended for adults who have worked with a speech-language pathologist through a treatment program, and who are looking for a safe place to gain more real world generalized practice. The groups are organized based on clients’ interest, and will include a group size of 5 - 7 persons to meet throughout the four weeks. The three practice groups currently offered are: Adult Fluency Practice Group, Adult Social Skills Practice Group, Transgender and Non-Binary Voice Maintenance Group, and the English Pronunciation Group. Sign up here.
Do you offer thirty-minute appointments?
All of our appointments are 60 minutes in duration. Of the 60 minutes, we set aside ten minutes at the end to take care of administrative work (i.e., discussing homework, preparing homework, payments, and scheduling).
Appointments that are 30 minutes long, in most cases*, are not preferred as the time constraint reduces the client's likelihood of growth and development. We also consider the time, effort, and resources a client allocates to attending an appointment and we aim to maximize their experience by maximizing their clinical service time!
*There are some cases where the client's attention span is very short, and in such cases a 30-minute appointment is advisable. Half hour sessions are common amongst youth speech therapy, however, since we primarily work with adults, one-hour appointments are commonly the preferred route.
Do you see teenagers?
Yes, we do. We understand that teenagers are in a unique period of transition. They need to work with a clinician who treats them with age-appropriate materials in a safe and respectful environment.
We frequently meet teenagers who were unhappy with their speech therapy experience with a child-focused speech-language pathologist and who are much more motivated to attend speech therapy at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy.
Clinical
What is the difference between pronunciation and enunciation?
Pronunciation, from a speech-language pathologist perspective, refers to the correct articulation of individual sounds. Errors in articulation (or pronunciation) are consistent. For example, an S sound is always pronounced as a SH sound or a TH sound or an R sound is always pronounced as a W sound. Treatment for pronunciation targets the specific sound that is being mispronounced.
Enunciation is more general than pronunciation and articulation. It refers to a general pattern of under articulating sounds which can affect all sounds. When someone is not enunciating, it can sound like they are mumbling or slurring their words together. Treatment for enunciation concerns addresses the habit of under-articulation through work on breath support, pacing and practising deliberate articulation.
What is the difference between a lisp and an accent?
A lisp is a sound error usually of the /s/, /sh/, and /ch/ sounds. They are common in children and sometimes persist into adulthood. It can occur in native English speakers and non-native English speakers. A lisp, generally, is neither inherited nor is it a learned habit from someone with a lisp.
An accent can be picked up or evolves as we spend time around a language source (i.e., a person, as a teacher or media, as watching a TV show). An accent is a pattern of sound errors resulting from the influence of one language (first language) on another language (second language). Likewise, there are many accent influences that we experience on a daily basis which gives the accent an evolving quality. For this reason, there is no pure accent. Imagine the speaker's first language is Chinese and they learned Taiwanese second, then English third from an Australian English teacher, and as a result the accent is unique. This is the case for most adults who are seeking speech therapy for accent.
At Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, we are experienced and can help with both lisps and accents.
Is it too late to treat my lisp?
Not at all. As speech-language pathologists who concentrate on adult speech therapy, we have witnessed a 95 per cent success rate of adults who work with us completely correct their lisp. Naturally, there were some required parameters in place in order to achieve the goal: the individual must be practicing, as recommend by their speech-language pathologist; and they must be attending their appointments on a regular basis. Most adults who have a lisps are quite motivated to leave the lisp behind and progress toward a fresh start.
Insurance
Are you registered speech-language pathologists?
Yes, all the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy are registered with CASLPO (College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario).
Are your services covered by insurance?
Most extended health benefits (packages provided by your employer or school) cover the services of a registered speech-language pathologist. We recommend that all clients confirm their policy coverage prior to scheduling an appointment.
For more information, please see our insurance page. If you know your plan covers our services you can contact us by phone to schedule an appointment or use our online booking service.
Can you bill directly to my insurance company?
Yes, this service is currently available to GSC (Green Shield Canada), Canada Life, and many other insurance providers. To ensure that your policy allows direct billing for speech therapy services, contact your insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. We hope that we will be able to collaborate with more insurance companies for direct billing in the coming months.
Fees and Payments
Are speech-language pathology and related services covered by OHIP?
Unfortunately, private speech-language pathologist services are not covered by OHIP.
In some public settings, like a hospital and rehabilitation facilities, medical speech-language pathology services are available at no cost to the individual.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept:
All major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, etc.)
E-transfer (for 12 Weeks Therapy Block only)
Insurance direct billing
Why do you need a credit card on file?
We require a credit card number on file to ensure that our cancellation policy (and our time) is respected. We also require a credit card for clients who request direct billing to an insurance provider, to settle any outstanding amount not covered fully by the insurance claim.
Does HST apply to your services?
As referenced in Canada Revenue Agency's Excise Tax Act, HST does not apply to services rendered by registered speech-language pathologists.
Will you accept email money transfers or debit card?
At this time, we do not accept email money transfers on individual/single appointments. We are also unable to accept any payment by debit card.
Referrals
Do I need a Doctor's Note?
No, we welcome self-referrals. Some insurance policies require a doctor's note recommending work with a speech-language pathologist. We ask that you check your policy coverage details to know if this applies to you.
Can you recommend someone to work with my child?
Yes! As members of the speech-language pathology community in Toronto, we can certainly recommend a speech-language pathologist to work with your child. Please see "Speech Therapy For Children" for more information.
I am a medical professional, how do I refer a patient?
We welcome medical and allied health referrals. To submit a referral, please fax it to us at 647-558-0546.
Medicolegal
Do you prepare OCF-18s for MVAs?
Yes, we do. Please submit a referral here.
Do you have HCAI access?
Yes, we do. Please contact us for more information.
Our Facility
Is there parking available?
Yes, there are two sizeable Green P parking lots off of Clinton St. and Euclid Ave. (North of Bloor St West). Subject to Municipal parking rates of $2.00 / Half Hour.
Is your office wheelchair accessible?
Our office is not wheelchair accessible. We are located inside of a walk-up building and on the second floor.
Do you have a gender-neutral washroom?
Unfortunately, our washrooms are shared with other offices and clinics, and are not gender-neutral.
Careers & Volunteering
How do you become a speech-language pathologist?
Students often ask how to become a speech-language pathologist. Here are the steps:
Complete your four-year Bachelor's degree with a 3.7/4.0 GPA or higher; highly recommended to be involved in field research and volunteering.
Volunteer alongside a registered speech-language pathologist. A clinic atmosphere enhances student's exposure to a variety of real-life field practices and services.
Apply to graduate school. Note: This is a highly competitive program, as recent years measured a significant increase in the number of applicants.
As a graduate student you will have to secure a recognized clinical internship. It is important to pursue an internship placement in a specialization that matches your interest.
Are you accepting S-LP resumes?
At the moment, we are not accepting applications. Please complete this 2-steps application form to be notified when an opportunity becomes available. Only those candidates who have the completed and submitted the entire form, will be considered.
Are you accepting volunteers?
At the moment, we are not accepting volunteers. If you would like to be notified should an opportunity become available, then sign up for notifications.
Booking
Can I get an appointment outside of your posted hours?
Yes, we are willing to accommodate on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes, we require all clients to provide 48 hours notice of cancellation; otherwise, you will be automatically billed for the missed session/late cancellation. Missed session and late cancellation fees will not be reimbursed through insurance.