Marda Loop Braces is proud to welcome
Chit Chat Kids speech & language services to our office
Chit Chat Kids offers speech focused screening, assessment, consultation, intervention, home programing and parent training.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathology (SLPs) is a medical profession that diagnoses and treats communication problems and swallowing disorders.
They work with a variety of conditions, including but not limited to, speech sound disorders, language difficulties, stuttering, voice disorders, and difficulties with swallowing.
The benefits of seeing a speech-language pathologist are profound. SLPs can help individuals communicate more effectively, which can significantly improve their quality of life. Improved communication skills can lead to better academic or work performance, enhanced social interactions, and increased self-confidence.
SLPs can also assist patients with swallowing difficulties, promoting safe and efficient eating and drinking. Thus, the services of a speech-language pathologist can positively impact multiple facets of an individual’s life, supporting overall well-being.
A Speech and Language Checklist
This list can serve to have professionals identify potential areas of concern that might indicate a need for further evaluation and therapy. Please note that this list is general and may not encompass every child’s needs. Each child is unique and might show differences in their speech and language development.
I. Speech Sound Development
- Does the child use a variety of speech sounds?
- Are there any sounds the child consistently mispronounces?
- Does the child substitute, distort, omit, or add sounds?
- Can others understand the child’s speech in different settings (at home, school, etc.)?
II. Voice
- Does the child have an appropriate pitch (not too high or low)?
- Does the child’s voice sound hoarse, breathy, or harsh?
- Does the child use an appropriate volume (not too loud or quiet)?
III. Fluency
- Does the child frequently repeat parts or whole words, or do they prolong sounds?
- Do they often interject filler words like “uh” or “um”?
- Do they show signs of physical tension while speaking?
IV. Articulation
- Does the child pronounce words clearly?
- Can they use a range of speech sounds in words?
V. Receptive Language (Understanding)
- Does the child follow directions of varying complexity?
- Can they answer questions about a story or event?
- Do they understand spatial concepts (e.g., in, on, under)?
- Can they recognize and comprehend a rich vocabulary (age appropriate)?
VI. Expressive Language (Speaking)
- Does the child use a variety of words and sentences of different lengths?
- Can they share stories and experiences in a logical sequence?
- Do they ask different types of questions?
- Can they use different verb tenses and complex grammatical structures accurately?
VII. Social Communication
- Can the child start, maintain, and end a conversation appropriately?
- Do they understand and use nonverbal cues like facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice?
- Can they modify speech style according to the social context (e.g., talking differently to a teacher vs. a friend)?
- Can they engage in play and interaction with peers?
VIII. Literacy
- Does the child understand the link between letters and sounds?
- Can they read age-appropriate material with good comprehension?
- Can they write sentences and paragraphs with correct spelling and grammar (age appropriate)?
- Do they enjoy and engage with reading and writing activities?
IX. Swallowing/Oral Motor
- Can the child chew and swallow without difficulty?
- Do they drool excessively or beyond a developmentally appropriate age?
- Do they use a variety of tongue and lip movements for speech sounds?
If there are concerns in any of these areas, you may decide to contact Chit Chat Kids for additional assessments and evaluation by a qualified speech pathologist, Sharon Evelyn, the founder of Chit Chat Kids. has more than 20 years of experience as a Speech Language Pathologist and specializes in research based behavioral and developmental intervention techniques.
Meet Sharon Evelyn, founder of Chit Chat Kids
Sharon Evelyn, the founder of Chit Chat Kids, has more than 20 years of experience as a Speech Langauge Pathologist and specializes in research based behavioural and intervention techniques.
Her advanced training includes:
- Lidcombe
- Lively Letters
- Social Thinking
- Story Grammar Marker
- Reference and Regulation
- FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code Training
- Kaufman Method for Apraxia of Speech
- PODD – Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display
- Multi-Modal Communication and Learning Strategies
- Orofacial Rest Posture Program Level 1 and 2 (Orofacial Myology)
- PROMPT Level 1 – Prompt for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets
- It Takes Two to Talk ® – The Hanen Program ® for Parents of Children with Language Delays
Full support is provided for children and adults with communication difficulties
Therapy for children is often play-based and family centered. Parental involvement and home programming for families is an integral part of the service as we want to give you or your child the best opportunity to overcome speech, language and communication difficulties.
Speech-Language Pathology assessment and intervention is often covered by your employer’s insurance and is an eligible expense for your Health Spending. You may want to reference your employer’s plan description for more information.
Feel free to contact Sharon Evelyn at Chit Chat Kids for speech services if you are on a wait list with Alberta Health, between treatment blocks, or if you would simply like to augment your current speech therapy and language services in a professional, private one-on-one setting.
Contact Sharon at Chit Chat Kids:
Call: (403) 689-9718
Email: [email protected]