Participation
- This program is made possible through Wings of Hope and our sponsoring partners and donors. Sponsored slots are filled on a rolling basis as funding becomes available.
- Families who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for financial assistance. If a sponsored slot is available, the standard PenguinSmart Parent Coaching program is extended from 4 to 6 months with a 90% fee reduction. The family co-pay is only $35/month, with a total 6-month commitment of $210, payable in two installments.
- Families selected under certain full-sponsorship tracks receive complete fee coverage, but are required to submit a refundable deposit of $200, returned upon successful program completion.
- All applicants meeting eligibility criteria will be placed on our sponsored waitlist and contacted when a slot opens.
Who is this for?
- No diagnosis restrictions — all diagnoses and conditions that would impair speech-language abilities are welcome to apply. We have received:
- ASD, Cerebral palsy, Genetic chromosomal diseases, intellectual disability, delay language onset, aphasia, traumatic brain Injuries
- Best fit: Children whose communication ability is equivalent to age 6 or under, paired with a caregiver who is motivated and ready to practice strategies daily.
- Not Suitable: dyslexia, learning disabilities
- The adult needs to be able to communicate with coaches in either English or Mandarin Chinese. Home language agnostic.
- Our specialist team can advise on AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) strategies and tools, but devices are not provided.
Program Details
Speech-Language Needs
- No age or diagnosis restrictions — all conditions that would impair speech-langauge abilities are welcome to apply.
- Best fit: Children whose communication ability is equivalent to age 6 or under, paired with a caregiver who is motivated and ready to practice strategies daily.
- The adult needs to be able to communicate with coaches in either English or Mandarin Chinese. Home language agnostic.
- Our specialist team can advise on AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) strategies and tools, but devices are not provided.
Sponsorship Criteria
Families that would meet any of the following requirements are welcome to apply:
- Multiple members with disabilities/ special needs in one household
- Caregiver of the family has disability
- Financially Struggling
- Single-parent with multiple children
- Grandparents as the main caregiver
- Foster family / Adoptee family
- Service desert - Commute to closest intervention facility is over 90 minutes each way; On waitlist / not accepted for any SLT service for over 9 months
