At KidsAbility, a new approach to early intervention has significantly reduced wait times for therapy by implementing group assessments, allowing children to receive early intervention in a social context.
Alyssa Polley, a Speech-Language Pathologist, has worked at KidsAbility for the past nine years. During that time, she observed increasing wait times for services and was concerned about the delays in starting therapy. Alyssa sought innovative solutions to ensure timely early intervention for children. Her idea was to conduct playgroup assessments for children with similar needs, allowing her to assess three children simultaneously in a social context, interacting with peers.
For Alyssa, the journey from idea to implementation was about more than improving efficiency; it was about witnessing how small changes could significantly impact children’s lives. As the project expanded, she saw her idea become a reality with measurable outcomes. “Initially, it was just a thought. But seeing it happen, roll out across sites, and have a functional impact has been incredibly rewarding. You hope something will work, but seeing the numbers makes it real.” The results are impressive, with group assessments reducing wait times for Speech and Language assessments by nearly half.
Alyssa highlights, “The part I’m most proud of is the decreased waitlist. We’re reaching children sooner, which has a substantial impact on them, their families, and the community. Early intervention is crucial for development, and providing support earlier makes a significant difference.”
Throughout the process, Alyssa felt supported by her colleagues and leadership, which was instrumental in the project’s success. “It’s reassuring to know I had support, not only from the Rocket team, who backed the idea from the start, but also from colleagues and other speech pathologists who were eager to try something new. It made me feel heard and that my opinions as a clinician were valued.”
She also reflects on the fulfillment that comes from knowing her work has made a tangible impact. “I feel like I’ve made a positive impact on services, our community, and many children’s lives.”
For Alyssa, the key takeaway from this project has been the power of believing in an idea and persisting to see it come to fruition. “My key takeaway from this project is the importance of believing in an idea and persisting to see it realized. If you have an idea that you think might help, continue to advocate for it and pursue its implementation.”
Thanks to Alyssa’s leadership, SLP group assessments are not only reducing wait times but also transforming how KidsAbility delivers care to children and families.
You can read more about this project here.
Alyssa Polley
