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Your Child’s First Visit
What to Expect on Your Child’s First Visit

Welcome to Five Counties Children’s Centre! Your child’s first appointment is coming up, and the initial visit/assessment may be a bit nerve-wracking. Don’t worry! We’ve prepared some resources to help you get ready and make the most of your visit and time with our therapists!

Welcome to Five Counties Video

Watch these short, one-minute YouTube videos to learn more about visiting our different locations:

What to Bring to Your First Visit/Assessment

  • Yourself and your child (multiple parents or caregivers are welcome!)
  • A list of things you want to discuss with your therapist. This can include your hopes/goals for your child. You can also jot down any questions or concerns you have.
  • Information or reports from school, daycare, doctors or caregivers.
  • Things that make your child comfortable. Feel free to bring a drink, snack and/or favourite toy or stuffy.
  • A notepad or pen to take notes if you like (or ask us… we have lots!)
  • Custody documents (if appropriate)

When You Arrive at Five Counties for Your First Visit

  • All our Five Counties sites are now mask-friendly. This means wearing a mask is your choice. Masks are still provided for those who choose to wear one.
  • Let us know you’re here by checking in with our receptionist. On your first visit, you will be asked to complete consent forms and, for some services, fill out a questionnaire on your child’s development.
  • Please take a seat in our waiting room. At some of our sites, there are toys and activities to keep kids entertained while you wait. Enjoy the fun and games, but if transitions are difficult or it’s too busy, feel free to find a seat and a colourful mural to explore (NOTE: Thanks in advance for being attentive and responsible for your child during your visit to the Centre).
  • A therapist will come and get you for your appointment. If it’s five minutes after your appointment time and you’re still waiting, please see our receptionist.

During Your First Appointment/Assessment

  • Your first appointment is an opportunity for you and your child to meet the assessment team, and for the team to do a preliminary assessment of your child’s strengths and needs. You will remain in the room during the assessment and will be encouraged to ask questions and provide information regarding your child. At the end of the assessment, the team will summarize their observations, provide you with their recommendations and discuss any next steps.
  • During the assessment, the therapist will discuss your child’s developmental milestones and your concerns about your child’s development. The therapist will have your child complete some activities to observe and measure your child’s development and to determine if there is a need for therapy service. The therapist will discuss the findings with you, recommend that therapy be offered and possibly make suggestions for activities that you can do at home. You will also receive a written report by mail a few weeks after the assessment is completed.
  • If you are not clear about a comment or suggestion, or terminology used, please do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Sometimes we use medical terms or acronyms out of habit and need to remember to explain them.
  • Make sure you are clear about what the next steps will be with each of the team members (for example, individual therapy sessions, a recheck appointment, a group session, etc.)
  • If you have any concerns or questions about the assessment process, please share them with us.

Visual reminding parents to reschedule appointment if can't make itPlease Keep Your Appointments

  • If you need to cancel an appointment for any reason (illness or unexpected event), please call us as soon as possible at 1-888-779-9916. We will do our best to reschedule a time with you.
  • If a clinician/therapist is sick, we will call you right away to let you know of the cancellation (we will use the primary contact number on file to notify you).
  • ‘No-showing’ for appointments benefits no one, most of all your child and family. Please stick to your appointments!

Partnering for Success

At Five Counties, we take a team approach that sees the family as a key member of care. This family-centred approach provides quality service in a supportive environment. For more information, please review our Family Centred Care Principles.

We believe that:

  1. Families are equal partners in the planning and carrying out of services.
  2. Partnerships are based upon respect and open communication
  3. Service should be responsive to the needs of all family members
  4. Parents should have access to information regarding their child’s needs and treatment options