Welcome to Speak Freely Therapy Services!

We are an innovative clinic, providing occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services to individuals with autism and a range of other challenges. Our home base is Barrie, Ontario, but we work throughout Simcoe County, and further.

Our Philosopy

Speak Freely Therapy Services began in 2005, as the private practice for sole practitioner Joyce Hignett, speech-language pathologist.

The name “Speak Freely” has multiple meanings to us, and has evolved over time.

For most of us, the ability to talk develops naturally when we are children, and as adults, we take for granted the effortlessness and power of our communication skills. Many of our clients struggle to acquire clear, abundant language, and so a primary goal and hope for the individuals we serve is that they too can experience the joy of “speaking freely”.

Another slant on the “Speak Freely” name refers to the atmosphere we strive to create for our clients and their parents/educators/supporters. We are not ‘stuffy professionals’ who convey a know-everything attitude. Our services are client-centred and everyone who walks through our doors quickly learns that they can “speak freely” and be heard.

As our staff has grown in size, we have also come to adopt “Speak Freely” as our personal mantra in the workplace. An environment of caring and sharing, with no office politics or drama, leads to happy staff and a healthy atmosphere for our clients as well.

With all the services that our diverse group provides, we could easily add ‘play freely’, ‘work freely’, ‘think freely’, and ‘write freely’ to our name…but we hope that “Speak Freely” sums it up for you.

What We Provide

We Assess, Treat, Educate and Support Children and Adults with:
• Autism
• Learning disabilities
• Genetic disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental disorders
• Acquired injuries
• Speech and language concerns
• Academic difficulties

Assessments
• Individual therapists or combined Occupational Therapist / Speech-language Pathologist
• In-clinic or at-home

Treatment
• Individual or group sessions
• One therapist or joint Occupational Therapist / Speech-language Pathologist
• Implemented by therapy assistant when appropriate
• Client choice of settings

Educational Support
• In-school consultation
• Program recommendations

In-Services / Workshops
• For parents, teachers, support workers
• Customized on request

Collaboration with Other Agencies
• Resources and support for mediators
• Conferences and team planning
• Modelling therapy sessions and treatment techniques

Rates

The following are our rates as of July 1, 2010:

Speech-Language Pathology Services or Occupational Therapy Services:

Individual Assessment/Treatment/Consultation (including telephone and e-mail consults):

*** $25 additional fee added to the above costs for initial appointments only to cover documentation and processing required.

Group Treatment:
$70.00 per hour per client.
Some variations may occur in rate depending on the number of individuals in the group.

Travel:
Billed at regular rate of $120.00 per hour.

Reports:
Billed at regular rate of $120.00 per hour (quotes provided).

Therapy Assistant (Communicative Disorders Assistant) Services

Individual Treatment:

Group Treatment:
$50.00 per hour
** Rates could vary slightly depending on number of individuals in the group.

Travel:
Billed at $73.00 per hour.

Preparation and Documentation:
Billed at Therapy Assistant rate of $73.00 per hour (quotes provided).

MISSED APPOINTMENTS
(with less than 3 hours notice) will be billed at a rate of $50 per clinician scheduled.

Links

http://www.caslpa.ca (Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists)

http://www.autismdiet.ca (Cool Site About GFCF Diet Designed by One of Our Client Families)

http://www.apraxia-kids.org (The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America)

http://www.caot.ca (Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists)

http://www.autism.net (Geneva Centre for Autism)

http://www.autismontario.com (Formerly Autism Society Ontario)