Speech Therapy FAQ — Durham Region

No, you do not need a doctor's referral to access private speech-language pathology services. You can contact us directly to schedule an assessment. However, some private insurance plans may require a doctor's referral for reimbursement, so we recommend checking with your insurance provider.

Private speech therapy services are not covered by OHIP. However, many extended health benefit plans (private insurance) do cover speech-language pathology services. We provide detailed invoices that can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most major insurance providers in Ontario, including Sun Life, Manulife, Great-West Life, and Blue Cross, include speech-language pathology under their paramedical coverage.

We provide in-home therapy services, meaning we come to you! Sessions can take place in your home, your child's daycare, or their private school within our service areas (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Courtice, and Brooklin). In-home therapy is ideal for young children because they are most comfortable and engaged in their own environment, which can support engagement and participation in therapy.

We focus on supporting children from birth to 7 years of age. This includes early intervention for late talkers (ages 1-3), preschool speech therapy for articulation and language development (ages 3-5), autism communication support, and school readiness programs for pre-literacy skills (ages 5-7).

Session lengths can vary based on your child's needs, but typically they are 45 minutes to 60 minutes in length. This allows time for direct therapy with your child as well as discussion and coaching with parents/caregivers. We also provide a brief summary after each session so you know exactly what was worked on and what to practice at home.

Fill out our contact form or email us at info@functionalcommunication.ca to schedule a free 15-minute phone call. We'll talk through your concerns, answer your questions, and figure out if an assessment makes sense. No commitment.

The earlier, the better. Research shows that starting before age 3 can lead to stronger outcomes because the brain is especially ready to learn language at that age. But children of any age can benefit. If you're unsure, some common signs include a limited vocabulary for their age, being hard to understand, not combining words by age 2, or getting frustrated when trying to communicate. A quick phone call with us can help you decide.

A typical session begins with a quick check-in with the parent or caregiver, followed by 30-45 minutes of direct therapy with your child. Sessions are play-based and child-led — we use your child's favorite toys, books, and activities to target their specific goals. The last 5-10 minutes are spent coaching parents on strategies to use between sessions. Everything happens in your living room, playroom, or wherever your child is most comfortable.

Every child is different, but many families notice improvements within the first 4-6 sessions. Some children with mild articulation errors may only need a few months of therapy, while children with more complex language delays may benefit from longer-term support. We set measurable goals at the start and review progress regularly so you always know where your child stands.

Articulation refers to how clearly your child produces speech sounds — for example, saying 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit' or leaving off the ends of words. Language delay refers to difficulties with understanding or using words, sentences, and grammar — for example, a 2-year-old who uses fewer than 50 words or a 3-year-old who isn't combining words into short phrases. Some children have both. Our assessment will identify exactly which areas need support.

Yes. We provide neuro-affirming speech therapy for autistic children. We meet your child where they are and build on what they can already do. This includes support for gestalt language processing (children who communicate using scripts or chunks of language), social communication, and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) for children who are non-speaking or minimally speaking.

We accept cash and e-Transfer. Payment is due within 24 hours of each session. We provide detailed receipts that include our CASLPO registration number, which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

Yes, we do this regularly. We can provide therapy at your child's daycare or private school within our service areas. We can also work with your child's teachers or ECEs to make sure everyone is on the same page. That consistency really helps.

Sneha Fonseka has a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MSc. S-LP(C)) and is registered with CASLPO (#7608). She's trained in Hanen approaches and works with kids ages 1-7 on early intervention, articulation, autism communication support, and school readiness.