Supporting Families Through Early Identification and Referral

Primary Care Physicians and Nurse Practitioners are often the initial point of contact for parents concerned about their child’s speech & language development. Parents have unique insights into their child’s development, and guidance offered during routine primary care visits is associated with improved early communication and literacy outcomes.

Referral Pathways

Early intervention is key to improving developmental outcomes. The First Words Preschool Speech and Language Program serves children from birth to junior kindergarten in Ottawa and Renfrew County.

There are two main referral pathways:

• The First Words Communication Checkup: a free, online screening tool for parents at www.firstwords.ca for children birth to 48 months. Families complete the screen, receive results, and can send their referral directly online.
• Direct referral by primary care professionals to CHEO Development and Rehabilitation Services through the CHEO Access Team when global developmental delay or loss of acquired skills is suspected. Refer to CHEO’s Access Team. Fax referrals are also an option: complete a paper referral form and fax 613-738-4841.

Access to Early Speech and Language Services.

Families referred through the First Words Communication Checkup are contacted within 1-3 months. The average age at referral is 23 months. The First Words program also offers interventions tailored specifically to babies to help families access support much earlier in their child’s communication journey.

Clinical Opportunities to Promote Early Communication and Literacy.

Evidence shows that when physicians and nurses encourage parents to talk and read with their children, families do so more often, leading to measurable gains in language and literacy readiness[1].

Discussing strategies for incorporating talking, singing, reading, and play into daily routines can support the development of vocabulary, social skills, and school readiness.

Physician & NP Resources

• CHEO Access Team Referral Form: Direct referral by primary care professionals to CHEO Development and Rehabilitation Services through the CHEO Access Team when global developmental delay or loss of acquired skills is suspected For fax, complete the paper referral form and fax: 613-738-4841
• Rourke Baby Record Communication Milestones : Canadian standard to guide the preventive health care of infants and children from birth to age 5 years, affiliated with the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• Looksee Developmental Screen : developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. For Professionals.

Patient Resources

• First Words Free Preschool Speech and Language Services: Resource library , fact sheets, webinars and more.
• First words online screening tool for parent
• Follow First Words on Instagram: @firstwords_psl and @premiersmots_ppl
• Looksee Developmental Screen : developmental tool that features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities with tips to help them grow. For parents.

¹Mendelsohn AL, Mogilner LN, Dreyer BP, Forman JA, Weinstein SC, Broderick M, Cheng KJ, Magloire T, Moore T, Napier C. The impact of a clinic-based literacy intervention on language development in inner-city preschool children. Pediatrics. 2001 Jan;107(1):130-4. doi: 10.1542/peds.107.1.130. PMID: 11134446.

Roxane Bélanger, MOA(C), reg CASLPO
Speech Language Pathologist
First Words Preschool Speech & Language Program – Ottawa & Renfrew County