Clinique Passage
Speech Therapy Services for CEGEP and University Students
We assess and support CEGEP and university students experiencing written language difficulties, in reading as well as writing.
Online anywhere in Quebec or in person at our offices.
When CEGEP or University Reveals a Written Language Difficulty
At CEGEP, the reading load increases considerably and written assignments multiply. Written language difficulties that were long compensated for can then surface, because a good memory or sustained effort is no longer enough for the workload. These difficulties are more common than you might think: a study of university students estimated that between 1.6% and 6.4% of them could be at risk of dyslexia, often without ever having been diagnosed. A speech therapy assessment helps you understand what’s going on and gives you the right tools for the rest of your studies.
Signs That Warrant a Speech Therapy Assessment
It’s the persistence of these signs, despite your efforts, that justifies a speech therapy assessment:
- You read slowly and need to reread to understand
- You make spelling mistakes despite proofreading
- Structuring an essay takes you considerable effort
- You grasp ideas orally, but struggle to organize them in writing
- Taking notes in class is a real challenge
- You need extra time for exams and written assignments
These signs can point to dyslexia, dysorthographia, or a developmental language disorder that has gone unnoticed. They can also reflect genuine writing difficulties without a diagnosed disorder.
Our Speech Therapy Services for Students
Our services cover the whole journey: understanding the written language difficulty, working on it, then getting the right support for your studies.
Written and Spoken Language Assessment
Using standardized tests, the speech-language pathologist builds a complete picture of your written and spoken language, then confirms or rules out dyslexia, dysorthographia, or a developmental language disorder. You leave with a clear assessment report and an intervention plan. Our pages on speech therapy for dyslexia and speech therapy for dysorthographia cover these disorders in detail.
Speech Therapy Follow-Up and Compensatory Strategies
Follow-up gives you concrete compensatory strategies: reading techniques, writing and revision methods, and the use of assistive technology. The goal is your independence. Our speech therapy modalities present the approaches we use.
Support for Your Academic Accommodation Requests
Adapted services at CEGEP and accessibility services at university sometimes require a report from a recognized professional, and the speech-language pathologist is among the professionals authorized to provide it. Our assessment report can therefore support your request for academic accommodations such as extended time on exams.
Book Your Speech Therapy Assessment
A written language assessment can finally explain why your studies take so much effort. No medical referral, no waiting list.
Online Anywhere in Quebec or In Person at Our Offices
You choose the formula that fits your schedule:
- Online, through telepractice, anywhere in Quebec, from your home or between classes.
- In person, with a speech therapist in Val-d’Or, in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest, or in Mont-Laurier.
The follow-up remains the same either way, in English or French. Our article on hybrid telepractice and in-person approaches explores the question in more depth.
Passage Clinic | Orthophonie au Québec
Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy for Students
Is it too late to consult at CEGEP or university?
Not at all. Many students consult for the first time in higher education, precisely because that’s when written language difficulties become harder to compensate for. Speech therapy can help you at any age, by targeting the skills you need to succeed in your courses and enter the job market.
What does the written language assessment involve?
The assessment begins with an overview of your background and difficulties, followed by standardized tasks and tests in reading, writing, and spoken language. The speech-language pathologist then analyzes the results and writes a detailed assessment report, along with an intervention plan. You leave with a clear picture and concrete recommendations.
Are your services covered by insurance?
Speech therapy is not covered by RAMQ, but many private insurance plans, including several student plans, reimburse part or all of the fees. You receive an official receipt for your reimbursement claims. You’ll find the details on our speech therapy fees page.
Are online sessions as effective as in-person sessions?
Yes. For written language in adolescents and adults, telepractice offers results comparable to in-person sessions, with the advantage of flexibility. You choose the formula that fits your schedule and place of study, without compromising the quality of your follow-up.
How many follow-up sessions should I plan for?
Evidence-based practice suggests 6 to 12 regular sessions to observe tangible progress on a targeted goal. The exact number varies according to your profile and objectives. Since your independence is the goal, the intervention plan is reassessed along the way.
Talk to a Member of Our Team
A written language difficulty doesn’t have to compromise your CEGEP or university studies. The first step is talking about it.