Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay SPARK for their services?
SPARK is a private practice and, therefore, services are not directly covered by government funding. Payment is due at the time of session, and cash (exact amount), cheque, or email money transfer is accepted. A receipt will be given upon payment.
What can I expect from the initial assessment?
Following your intake phone call, an appropriate Service Provider will get in touch with you to book the initial assessment appointment. This visit will take approximately one hour, and is used to determine your child's developmental abilities. Some findings can be shared immediately, while others need scoring and will be shared during the follow-up phone call. Based on the outcomes of the assessment, the Service Provider and family will collaboratively determine next steps. If appropriate, goals will be set for intervention and a treatment session will be booked.
What's the first step in determining if SPARK is right for my child?
No professional referral is necessary - parent(s)/guardian(s) can refer their child for service(s).
Will I get a report following the assessment visit?
Many families like to have a report on file or to share with other service providers involved in their child's care (e.g. teachers, other therapists, etc.). The report would include outcomes from the assessment, as well as general recommedations.
How many sessions will my child require?
It is difficult to provide an exact answer to this question, as it depends on a number of factors, including how your child responds to therapy, what their specific goals are, as well as your family's financial considerations.
How much do SPARK services cost?
SPARK offers a number of different services and options to better meet each individual family's needs. Different services (OT, Family Support Services, etc.) and different types of sessions (assessment vs treatment) have varying costs.
What regions does SPARK service?
SPARK provides a variety of services within the clinic, home, childcare, and private school environments.
Does SPARK offer joint therapy sessions?
It is not uncommon for more than one sibling in a family to benefit from a particular therapy. Parent(s)/guardian(s) may wonder, then, whether joint sessions would be a cost- and time-effective way to target the needs of two or more children in their family. While service is family-centred and parent(s)/guardian(s) should have a primary role in determining treatment directions for their children, it is important that the therapist make recommendations based on clinical assessment, professional knowledge, and the ethical obligations set out by their Regulatory College. Please see the attached document for the full details of SPARK's Policy on Joint Therapy Sessions.