| Please contact us at (604) 540-9161 to cancel an appointment and schedule a new appointment (whether scheduled for the office or at your home). It is very important that you let us know as far in advance as possible that you have to cancel a visit.
Sometimes parents forget they have an appointment and “no show”. This is a term we use to describe when an appointment is missed without letting us know that the family can not make the appointment. This happens both for visits scheduled at our offices and for home visits – a great loss of valuable time.
If you “no show” we will call you 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment time to inform you that you have missed an appointment and if you forgot the appointment, the therapist will schedule another appointment. If the therapist is unable to speak with you directly she will leave a message. It is important that you call the therapist within two weeks to schedule a new appointment. If we have not heard from you within two weeks you will be sent a letter reminding you about the missed appointment and the Program’s “no show” policy. If we have not heard from you in the next two weeks we will close your file. If you later request to have your child’s file reopened, your child will be placed at the top of the waitlist (based on the original referral date). Ask your therapist for more detail about our policy on “no shows” |
Early Intervention Therapy Services hope to work with you and important people in your child’s life to develop strategies to enhance your child’s developmental skills. Early Intervention Therapy Services include Speech-Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy and Family Support Services. Depending on your child’s support needs, you may have been referred for one or more of these services. Below you will find information on all Early Intervention Therapy Services, including those your child may be eligible for.
Speech Therapy typically involves using play, books and daily activities to help improve your child’s communication skills. Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy typically involve using play, exercises, stretching and daily activities to help improve your child’s fine and gross motor skills. We will discuss your specific concerns and decide on appropriate goals together. During therapy appointments you can expect to discuss your child’s progress at home, and to observe and participate in using strategies aimed at helping develop your child’s skills.
In order for speech-language therapy, physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy to be the most effective, we ask you to work in partnership with us to develop strategies you can use with your child at home. Some families choose strategies they can incorporate into daily activities. Other families prefer to work on specific games and activities designed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physical Therapist (PTOur Family Support Worker (FSW) is a key member of our team of therapists and strengthens our commitment to provide you with services that are Family Centered. A key component of family centered early intervention is the availability of support services to the family, typically the child’s primary support system. Support can be provided to the parent/guardian, siblings, extended family, and others designated as part of the child’s support system.
At SHARE, family support services include: providing information, advocating for needed services, referring to appropriate external services, providing emotional support, helping to find appropriate respite care, and facilitating problem-solving or practical problems. As opportunities arise we may offer support groups, opportunities for parent-to-parent support and other kinds of group offerings. If you feel a family support worker can help you and/or you family please contact SHARE and ask to speak to the early intervention family support worker.
Your therapist or family support worker may suggest other services for your child and, with your consent, will recommend or refer your child to other community services, e.g., other health care professionals, Hearing Clinic, or other specialized clinics held at SHARE. |
Therapy appointments are typically scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please let us know if you have a preferred appointment time. It may be possible to schedule evening appointments depending on staff availability and client needs, (many children find it difficult to attend during evening appointments).
Therapy visits can be scheduled to occur at our office which is located at 200 - 25 King Edward Street, Coquitlam or the location may vary depending on your child’s needs, your ability to travel and therapist’s schedules.
Therapists will arrange therapy sessions in a number of different places – family home, Preschool or Daycare setting, or other community locations such as a Family Resource Centre. When Pre-school or daycare visits are scheduled it is expected that parents will maintain ongoing contact with the therapist and will attend some visits with the therapist (these may take place at home or at SHARE) if their child is being seen primarily at daycare. This is important to ensure that information is shared effectively and that the family continues to have input into goal planning and intervention. |
| Frequency of appointments will be determined by your child’s needs, and the Program’s resources. Appointments will only be scheduled while they are felt to be effective, for example, as progress is observed, and there may be times when your Therapist will schedule less frequent appointments. As well, frequency of appointments may vary as your child’s needs change. Where helpful/needed, we also work together with other professionals in your child’s life, (e.g., Early Childhood Educator, Infant Development Program Consultant, and Supported Child Development Consultant). |