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The First Words Preschool Speech
and Language Program of Ottawa is a program that focuses on the
prevention, early identification and treatment of speech and
language problems in young children (age 0 until they become
eligible for senior kindergarten).
Funded by the Government of
Ontario, First Words is made up of a group of local agencies that
work together to ensure that all preschool children in Ottawa are
given the best chance of reaching their full communication
potential. These agencies include:
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Pinecrest-Queensway Health
and Community Services (lead agency)
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Children's Hospital of
Eastern Ontario, Speech and Language Service (central intake)
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City of Ottawa, Ottawa Public
Health Information Line
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Ottawa Children's Treatment
Centre
Each agency provides a unique
service and it is the role of central intake to identify the
appropriate agency to best serve the child's needs and diagnosis.
Did
You Know...?
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Speech and
language difficulties are the most common handicap facing
Ontario's children.
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Ten percent
of preschool children are at risk of speech or language
problems.
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In 1998, only
one in five preschool children at risk of speech or language
problems in Ottawa had been identified and was receiving
treatment and family support.
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Treating a
preschool child for speech and language difficulties costs less
money than treating an older child - for every dollar spent on
speech and language services for a preschooler, a total of six
dollars is saved over providing these services at a later age.
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Our Mission
First Words strives to ensure that
all Ottawa preschool children are given the best chance of reaching
their full language and communication potential.
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