A referral to Aphasia Institute’s programs and services should ideally be made by a Speech-Language Pathologist, who has recently seen the person being referred If this is not possible, please contact the Aphasia Institute and speak with one of our Social Workers at 416-226-3636 for more information on how to be referred.
How to Initiate a Referral
A referral may be initiated by:
- Individuals with aphasia
- Family members
- Physicians
- Social workers
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Other health care professionals
- Call the Aphasia Institute at 416-226-3636 and ask to speak with an intake worker.
- Download the Referral Form.
- There is a separate process for people living with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Click here for the PPA Referral Form. For further information on this program, go to Primary Progressive Aphasia Programs.
- Referral form should be completed by a Speech-Language Pathologist, as mentioned above. If this is not possible, please contact the Aphasia Institute, or follow the instructions below on how to obtain an SLP assessment and referral.
SLP Assessments
IMPORTANT: A Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) assessment and progress report must accompany the referral form. The report will help our staff to determine if our programs and services will be appropriate for the applicant. In addition, staff members at the Aphasia Institute rely on these reports as a baseline measure when a client begins the program.
If you have not been seen by a Speech-Language Pathologist, SLP assessments may be arranged through the speech pathology department of the hospital where you were treated, following your stroke or brain injury. Alternatively, the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) may provide an SLP assessment for the purpose of making a referral to the Aphasia Institute. A SLP assessment through the LHIN is typically arranged with the help of the client’s family physician or neurologist. Clients wishing to be assessed by a private therapist may contact the Ontario Speech Language Association at (416) 920-0361 for a list of practitioners. The Aphasia Institute can also provide a list of speech pathologists that provide private services. Please contact us at (416) 226-3636 for more information.
In the event that it is not possible to arrange a SLP assessment, please contact our Manager of Client Service at (416) 226-3636 ext. 126. Every attempt will be made to accommodate any client who is unable to obtain an assessment.
After Referral is Made: What to Expect
- After the referral has been received, the applicant will be contacted by an intake worker within two months. Please Note: During the pandemic of 2020, wait times may be longer.
- The applicant may be invited to take part in an orientation session to learn about the Institute’s programs and services.
- If the applicant is interested in signing up for a program, then a meeting with a Speech-Language Pathologist or social worker will be scheduled to determine if the New Beginnings program and/or the Community Aphasia Program suits the applicant’s needs.
Contact us at 416-226-3636 for more referral information.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Normally, we offer 3 New Beginnings programs onsite each year. During the 2020 pandemic, we have adapted this program to be offered online and more frequently throughout the year.
We have a rolling intake and assessment process for entry into our New Beginnings program with the goal of ensuring a continuous intake process. Referral agents, please continue to support us by sending in your fully completed referrals along with an SLP report at the earliest to enable us to ensure a smooth and quick intake process for our mutual clients.