Step 1: The referral

YDAC welcomes referrals from everyone in the community, including:

• Self-referral by people with aphasia/other communication disorders
• Inquiries by family members or friends of someone with aphasia
• Referrals by speech language pathologists
• Referrals by other health professionals

There are 2 ways that you can make a referral to a YDAC program

• Use the YDAC referral form. If you are interested in making a referral, please use the YDAC referral form available on this website. Click here to view and print the YDAC referral form. This form will guide you in providing the information that a YDAC Speech Language Pathologist (S.L.P.) requires for the intake process. Mail or fax the completed referral form, to the address/fax number shown on the form.

OR

• Professionals who are registered to use One-Mail, can transmit referrals to YDAC over secure e-mail. Please contact our office ahead of time, if you plan to use this method for referrals.

Step 2: Information gathering

In response to a referral, a YDAC Speech Language Pathologist reviews the referral and will contact person who sent the referral, to review the YDAC intake process. The S.L.P. reviews the referral to determine if the individual with aphasia would be a good fit for a group program. If the closest program is currently at its' limit, the potential client may be added to a waiting list, if desired. The YDAC Speech Language Pathologist will answer questions, provide introductory information about the communication program and describe other YDAC services.

Steps 3 & 4: Intake process

Step 3: In-home assessment
The Speech Language Pathologist makes arrangements to visit the client's home to interview the potential client and caregivers and conduct an informal assessment. The purpose of the in-home visit is to informally assess the person's ability to communicate and identify potential communication strategies.

Step 4: - Client visits program
The individual with aphasia visits the program to 'try it out'. A caregiver is welcome to join the individual in the program for this first visit. The visit will give the potential client a chance to meet new people like themselves, participate in the group discussions and try out some communication strategies. This visit also gives the Speech Language pathologist and the rest of the program team a chance to observe the potential client in the program. Following the visit, the Speech Language Pathologist, visiting client and caregivers will decide whether the client is a good fit for the program.