May is Speech and Hearing Month! It is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the work that Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are doing.

Who are we?

SLPs are regulated health professionals who screen, assess, identify and treat speech, language, voice, fluency (stuttering), swallowing, and feeding problems for all age groups in addition to advocating for the prevention of these disorders. Learn more at Speech-Language and Audiology Canada.

In Ontario, Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) hold a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology and are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO).  As of April 1, 2021 individuals must also pass a National Canadian Entry-To-Practice (CETP) Exam prior to receiving their practice license.

New at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

In conjunctions with Food and Nutrition Services, the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) has begun to be implemented at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). This initiative was launched in Canada in January 2019 and nation-wide implementation is currently underway in keeping with the move toward globally standardized diet textures and terminology. As of March 2022, fluid consistencies at TBHRSC are now aligned with IDDSI. See below for updated terminology in Meditech and IDDSI Framework:

Through partnership with the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network, SLPs are now completing Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) training. This training is a standardized program for completion and analysis of Videofluroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS), which is a specialized assessment tool SLPs use for patients with swallowing impairments. This training will help improve SLP practice standards, patient care and communication among SLPs and other health care providers.