First Words Process

Our team supports families so that children can reach their full communication potential. The services we offer your child are based on their unique needs. Here is how our program works:

  • 1. Fill out the First Words Communication Checkup

    Complete the First Words Communication Checkup online. Based on your results, you will be triaged to the appropriate services. As soon as you click the submit/referral button, the documents will be sent to the CHEO Access Team who will process your child’s documents.

  • 2. Sign up for MyChart

    MyChart is a secure online portal that allows you to get appointment reminders, receive reports and letters electronically and communicate directly with your child's therapist.


    To apply for MyChart access, please fill out the MyChart Access Request Form.


    Health Records / Health Information Management (HIM) team reviews all applications. If they approve your application, they'll send you an email with your activation code and instructions on how to login.

  • 3. Wait for a call to book your child's assessment

    Once you have completed the First Words Communication Checkup screening and referral, your child is placed on our waiting list. You will get a call in 8 to 11 months from our intake staff at First Words to book your child’s speech and language assessment. Wait times may be longer for the Children’s Treatment Center services. Wait times between different steps in the program may vary as well.

  • 4. Watch our First Words webinars

    While you wait, get tips and strategies by watching our First Words webinars. Look for information on First Words services, preschool speech and language development, strategies to help your child’s communication skills grow and resources right here on our website.

  • 5. Attend your assessment appointment

    Attend your child’s assessment appointment. You and your child will meet with a speech-language pathologist who will assess all areas of communication and determine if your child needs direct treatment.

  • 6. Get strategies for home

    At the assessment, you will be provided with a home program with specific goals to work on with your child while you wait for in-clinic treatment to begin. The home program is the start of your child’s intervention.

  • 7. Get intervention

    Your speech-language pathologist will suggest an intervention program. This may include parent training, parent-child group sessions, group therapy, individual therapy, and consultation. The kind of treatment your child will receive depends on your child’s age and their communication needs as well as your ability to attend sessions.

  • For JK children

    Referrals for children eligible for JK are accepted at First Words if the child has a referral date (completed package received at Intake) prior to September 1 of their JK year. Referrals after this date are not accepted. Children referred prior to September 1st of their JK year will receive a speech and language assessment before the transition to school-based services. Some intervention may be provided in the JK year if clinical capacity allows. 


    Learn more about what you can expect for your JK child.