Do you suspect your young child of having communication difficulties? There is a free speech and language pathology service available in 100 Mile, and you can have your child tested.
Interior Health’s Prevention Services speech-language pathologists (SLP) assist families and caregivers to learn ways to help their children from birth until just before kindergarten.
Brianne Loyer, an SLP who comes to 100 Mile every second week from Kamloops is available to help with your child’s speech needs.
“Learning new skills at school is difficult enough as it is,” she says.
“Communication is the foundation for everything. Research shows the earlier these disabilities are discovered the better.”
Speech and language skills are important for learning and for getting along with others, Loyer says, adding every session is different, as the children play a lot of games but don’t realize they are learning at the same time.
Parents are encouraged to refer their own children, but referrals from other health and community professionals are welcome, Loyer explains.
“We use the family approach. We want the parents or caregivers to be at the sessions, so they know the strategies that we employ.” Legally, she says, parents or caregivers must be in attendance.
“I’ve always loved working with children; they are so funny and say the most amazing things.”
For more information, call Loyer, who works out of the South Cariboo Health Centre, 555 Cedar Ave., and can be reached at 250-395-7676.
