By Michael Boriero
Ashley Boynton has been seeking speech therapy services in English for her four-year-old daughter, Emilia, since 2018, but she has yet to receive an update on her file from the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS, after being placed on a two-year long waitlist.
“Two years for English services is ridiculous, especially for kids,” said Boynton. “If I need a special surgery or whatever I’ll deal with the year-wait for it, but early intervention is so important.”
Boynton began searching for a speech-language pathologist for Emilia in December 2018. Her daughter had a hearing test done at the Fleurimont Hospital in August 2019. The results came back “fine,” but Boynton was told Emilia would need another test when she turns five.
In June 2020, Emilia went to the hospital for a speech therapy consultation. The hospital told Boynton that any speech therapy would only be done in the fall. A month later, Boynton learned that her daughter has “moderate-severe delay” concerns and pronunciation difficulties.
