From Play to Words

07/07/2025

This is so true! Whenever we start working with a new family, our first priority is establishing trust and comfort with that family and their children. If a Family/Child doesn't trust us when we are in their safe space (in the family home for our visits), we can't expect them to have buy-in with the strategies and support we are providing, or expect the child to want to interact and engage with us!

06/26/2025

Last Friday, our company had another chance to spend some time together outside of our professional roles to build as a team, and at the same time, explore 124 St in Edmonton, Alberta! We were taken around by Food Bike Tour for a walking tour to taste a number of delicious local restaurants including Duchess Bakery, KB & Co, Tiramisu Bistro, The Butchery, Juan Ines, and Culina!

Have you been to any of these incredible local businesses before? Are there some other ones we should try to check out as a team?

06/24/2025

Did you know about the City of Edmonton 'Leisure Access Pass' (LAP)? This is a city program that supports low-income Edmontonians to access participating City of Edmonton recreation facilities and attractions (swimming pools, fitness centres, Edmonton Valley Zoo) through an annual pass, or a subsidized pass!

Check out the flyer and website below for more information, and to learn more about qualifying criteria!

https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/leisure-access-program

06/13/2025

Time for some language development milestones!

Don't forget though, developmental milestones are guidelines that we might follow, but children don't all develop the same skills at the same time and at the same rate.

If you ever have concerns with how your child is acquiring skills, reach out to your pediatrician, or contact an organization like From Play to Words that can offer support and guidance from a professional (Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Behaviour Consultant, etc.)

06/11/2025

Time to meet another one of our fabulous staff members!

Courtney grew up along the rugged coastline of New Brunswick, the ocean wasn’t just a view—it was a way of life. Summers were spent with sand between the toes, the salty breeze in the air, and days filled with swimming, boating, and just about every watersport possible. She moved to Alberta where weekends are spent exploring the Rockies, hiking scenic trails, and camping. Courtney joined the FPTW team in 2021 where she has supported children in homes, daycares and summer camps!

06/10/2025

Did you know that a wide number of Edmonton Public Library branches offer Adapted Story time?

These groups for 2 - 5 year old kiddo's and their families are designed for autistic children, and cater to sensory needs by providing:

Reading circles in quiet spaces
Quiet zones for taking breaks and self-regulation
Interactive books with engaging textures and sounds

If you're looking for an activity this Summer that can help support early literacy skills, check out the EPL website below for their adapted story time, and other activities happening around the city!

https://epl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=adapted

Explore Edmonton Public Library. New titles, recently rated, and recently tagged by the library community.

06/09/2025

Monday Morning Magic is back at KDays this year!

Monday Morning Magic is put on by KDays, and it's an opportunity for children and their families to enjoy the experience of KDays at their own pace. This community event is designed for children with disabilities to enjoy KDays in a safe, fun and supported environment. Check out the website below for details, and to fill out an application (spots are limited).

https://forms.k-days.com/northlands1/form/2025ChildFamilyApplication/formperma/NpFdGm9Ja3LrhzDZS3pe7Y_Mc7L_UPLYNDUPRyi6tzw

06/06/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKkIyz4RTp2/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZHhsaGJkbmZsOG1n

If you're not already following us on Instagram, head over, give us a follow, and check out our latest Reel highlighting the day in the life of one of our wonderful SLPAs, Alex!

Send a message to learn more

06/04/2025

While I was in a classroom last Friday, students were learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. As the kiddo I was working with and I sat there listening about the biology of this growth and evolution, I hadn't thought about what a lovely metaphor it was for everything around us.

Where is your "there"?

Mental Health Reminder: You'll get there. Keep going.

Artwork by

06/03/2025

Recasting is a language strategy that you may already be using without even thinking about it!

Recasting involves repeating back what your child has said, but with a bit more information, using correct language (think grammatical language). It helps your child by giving them a correct model of the words they are using, offers them the chance to hear new words, as well as hear clear productions of challenging speech sounds! You can emphasize new words or sounds by saying them longer (draw the sound out like "ffffffish") or louder (speak a bit louder - don't yell!).

It also takes away the pressure that your child may feel if you were to push them to try and repeat what you've said. All you're doing is modelling the words for them, and then carrying on with what you were doing!

06/02/2025

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you didn't make the impact that you had hoped you would? I've certainly had that feeling at the end of the work day!

Even if you feel like you didn't have the success you wanted, here's your reminder that you probably made someone else's day!

05/29/2025

Love this post!

Communicative functions refer to ALL of the reasons why an individual may communicate and the reasons behind their communication. This include:
- Requesting: Asking for something
- Protesting: Disagreeing, refusal, or self-advocacy
- Commenting: Making observations, or sharing information
- Labelling and Describing: Identifying objects and talking about their characteristics
- Asking and Answering Questions: Engaging in social dialogue and seeking information
- Expressing Feelings: Sharing emotions and reactions
- Social Communication: Greetings, participating with others, sharing

Requesting is an important part of language development, and it can be highly motivating for children because it serves the purpose to communicate about their basic wants and needs, as well as get the things that they want!

That being said, requesting is only a small reason why we all communicate, so it's important to keep in mind the other communicative functions mentioned above.

🗣️ Real Talk AAC 🗣️

Getting a child to make a request using AAC is important — but it’s just the beginning.

💡 Communication is more than asking for things. It’s about:
🗯️ Commenting
❌ Protesting
🤔 Requesting information
🙅‍♀️ Rejecting
❤️ Connecting

Let’s make sure we’re modeling a full range of communication — so AAC users can say whatever they want, however they want, whenever they want.

[Image description: Real Talk AAC- modeling should be more than just requests. Ensure you're modeling protesting, rejecting, commenting, connecting, and asking for information.]