Therapy spots are currently full — contact us to join the waitlist and explore options like comprehensive assessments, interprofessional consultations, or CDA support.
- 345 Lakeshore Road East, Suite 502, Oakville, Ontario
- 905-520-WORD
Therapy spots are currently full — contact us to join the waitlist and explore options like comprehensive assessments, interprofessional consultations, or CDA support.
Words Plus provides care that is neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred, and evidence-based. Our approach is informed by principles shared across Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs). DRBIs presume children are internally motivated to learn and be social, and emphasize learning through relationships, play and real-life interactions, with caregivers as central partners in their child’s communication development.
We honour diverse communication styles by seeking to expand—rather than change—a child’s natural ways of communicating. We respect neurodiversity by considering how each child’s unique brain shapes their experiences, preferences, and interactions with the world. Doing so allows us to foster trusting, responsive relationships that support authentic communication and self-expression.
At Words Plus, we believe to be neurodiversity-affirming and relationship-based, speech therapy needs to be:
Wondering which words to teach your child? Let them show us. Curious about how to help them? Notice how they learn best. What brings your child joy? Let’s include it.
At Words Plus, "following the child's lead" means including the child's interests, joining in the play or activities they are engaged in, and helping them do what they are already trying to do. Caregivers are supported to notice and respond to their child's cues (no matter how subtle) and follow their focus of attention, building shared meaning through "sensitive responding."
When children are given the opportunity to lead, they feel more motivated, more in control, and more open to connection and communication.
At Words Plus, communication develops through "social play," which is joyful, meaningful, and shared. Social play centres on the child's interests, with caregivers joining in to co-create playful interactions where communication grows.
Every child has something to say, and every child can learn and communicate, even if it looks different from convention. At Words Plus, we don’t underestimate children or make assumptions based on their behaviour or diagnosis. Instead, we focus on providing access to communication, modelling without pressure, and acknowledging each child’s dignity and autonomy.
At Words Plus, we focus on identifying, celebrating, and developing a child’s natural abilities, interests and unique ways of learning and communicating. Challenges may have brought you here, but these inherent strengths provide the foundation for growth and progress. For example, a child with strong visual learning skills and memory might thrive when introduced to visual representations of language such as written words and picture-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Let’s work together to discover and focus on what works for your child.
We believe therapy should be as unique as the child it supports. Accessibility and sensitivity matter. By tailoring therapy to each child’s needs and strengths, we create a supportive space where children can safely take on natural challenges.
Within this space, we also gently "present challenges" (i.e., shared problem-solving or new ideas), while honouring their responses, goals, and ideas. Through thoughtful scaffolding that preserves the child’s sense of agency, communication can grow.
Communication is so much more than spoken words. Total Communication (TC) is a comprehensive approach that promotes all the ways a person may communicate (i.e., AAC devices, body language, gestures, hand-leading, pictures, sign language, sounds, and speech). All means of expression are equally valid.
At Words Plus, we believe individuals have the right to decide how and when they communicate. By ensuring access to multiple communication options and responding respectfully to each child's chosen mode of expression, we support communication choice, agency, and self-determination—challenging the idea that speech is the only “real” form of communication.
We partner with parents and caregivers – the true experts on their children – to set and achieve meaningful goals. Together, we individualize therapy to honour each child’s uniqueness and their family’s routines, values and culture, to help ensure progress continues beyond therapy sessions.
At Words Plus, we help families identify and build on their strengths and those of their children. By focusing on what’s already working and envisioning achievable goals, we empower families to make meaningful progress in a positive and practical way. Together, we celebrate the “small” successes and use them as stepping stones toward “bigger,” long-term goals.
Communication doesn’t develop in isolation. It’s part of your child’s overall growth and experience. We consider their emotional, physical, and social needs – present and future – in the context of broader support. By collaborating with other professionals, we ensure your child receives comprehensive, well-rounded care.
At Words Plus, we are committed to lifelong learning so our clients can benefit from ongoing advances in speech-language pathology. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practice (EBP), which means we thoughtfully integrate the best available research with expert opinions, while centring each child and family’s unique needs, preferences, culture, values, and environment.
As part of neurodiversity-affirming practice, we value the perspectives of autistic individuals, AAC users and their families. Lived experience is an important form of expertise, and these voices are essential to ethical, responsive, and respectful care.
At Words Plus, we understand the power of acting early. Rather than a “wait-and-see” approach, we believe in “support-and-see,” especially because early intervention can lead to better outcomes.
Our approach is informed by Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs), which emphasize learning through relationships. At Words Plus, this means supporting joyful, back-and-forth interactions between you and your child. Research suggests that relationship-based approaches can support communication, regulation, and everyday participation, especially when caregivers are actively involved. Your relationship with your child is invaluable as a resource for supporting their communication development.
We also recognize our clinical relationship with you and your child is essential for success. Through warmth, empathy, and collaboration, we celebrate what makes your child special while partnering with you to help them achieve meaningful communication milestones.
We prioritize meaningful connection — between you and your child, as well as within our therapeutic relationship — because strong connections create a more engaging and effective environment for communication development.
