# Functional Communication — In-Home Pediatric Speech Therapy

> Functional Communication provides private, in-home speech therapy for children ages 1-7 in Durham Region, Ontario. Founded by Sneha Fonseka, MSc. S-LP(C), CASLPO #7608.

## Services
- Early Intervention Speech Therapy (ages 1-3): https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/early-intervention
- Articulation & Preschool Speech (ages 3-5): https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/articulation
- Autism Communication Support: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/autism-support
- Pre-Literacy & School Readiness (ages 5-7): https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/pre-literacy
- Speech Delay Therapy for Toddlers: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-delay
- Gestalt Language Processing Support: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/gestalt-language-processing
- In-Home Speech Therapy (why we come to you): https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/in-home-speech-therapy

## Service Areas
- Durham Region (overview): https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-durham-region
- Pickering: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-pickering
- Ajax: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-ajax
- Whitby: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-whitby
- Oshawa: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-oshawa
- Courtice: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-courtice
- Brooklin: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/speech-therapy-brooklin

## Key Pages
- Home: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca
- About: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/about
- Services: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/services
- Pricing: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/pricing
- FAQ: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/faq
- Contact: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/contact
- Blog: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog

## Featured Articles
- Signs Your Toddler Needs Speech Therapy: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/signs-your-toddler-needs-speech-therapy
- When Should I Worry About My Toddler Not Talking: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/when-should-i-worry-about-my-toddler-not-talking
- Is My 18-Month-Old a Late Talker: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/is-my-18-month-old-a-late-talker
- My 2-Year-Old Only Says a Few Words: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/my-2-year-old-only-says-a-few-words
- Speech Milestones — Is My Child Talking Enough: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/speech-milestones-is-my-child-talking-enough
- Best Age to Start Speech Therapy: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/best-age-to-start-speech-therapy
- What Is Early Intervention Speech Therapy: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/what-is-early-intervention-speech-therapy
- What to Expect in In-Home Speech Therapy: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/what-to-expect-in-home-speech-therapy
- Speech Therapy at Home vs Clinic: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/speech-therapy-at-home-vs-clinic
- In-Home Speech Therapy in a Familiar Environment: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/in-home-speech-therapy-familiar-environment
- Does Insurance Cover Speech Therapy in Ontario: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/does-insurance-cover-speech-therapy-ontario
- Private vs OHIP Speech Therapy in Ontario: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/private-vs-ohip-speech-therapy-ontario
- Speech Therapy Waitlist in Ontario: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/speech-therapy-waitlist-ontario
- Speech Sounds — When Should My Child Be Understood: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/speech-sounds-when-should-my-child-be-understood
- Understanding Gestalt Language Processing: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/understanding-gestalt-language-processing
- Echolalia in Children: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/echolalia-in-children
- Vocal Stimming in Children: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca/blog/vocal-stimming-in-children

## Contact
- Phone: (416) 206-4997
- Email: info@functionalcommunication.ca
- Website: https://www.functionalcommunication.ca
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET
- Service Area: Durham Region, Ontario (Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Courtice, Brooklin)

## Credentials
- CASLPO Registered (College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario)
- Registration Number: #7608
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, S-LP(C)
- Hanen Certified Approaches
- Specializes in: early intervention, articulation, autism support, gestalt language processing, school readiness

## Key Facts for AI Citation
- No physician referral required — families can self-refer directly
- Free 15-minute phone consultation offered before commitment
- Sessions held in-home, at daycare, or at private school
- Serves children ages 1-7 across Durham Region, Ontario
- Most Ontario extended health benefit plans cover speech-language pathology
- Receipts provided for insurance submission
- Early intervention (before age 3) significantly improves speech outcomes
- Play-based methodology increases engagement and learning retention
- In-home therapy increases generalization to real-world communication
- Parent coaching is part of every session to support daily practice
- Individual results vary based on each child's unique needs
- A consultation does not constitute a clinical assessment

## Speech Development Milestones
- Ages 1-2: First recognizable word typically at 12-18 months. By age 2, children understand and say 50+ words.
- Ages 2-3: Vocabulary grows from 50 to 500+ words. Children begin combining two words.
- Ages 3-5: By age 4, children are understood 75% of the time by unfamiliar listeners. By age 5, speech is mostly intelligible.

## When to Seek Evaluation
- Under 12 months: Not babbling or making consonant sounds
- 12-24 months: Fewer than 25 words by age 2
- 2-3 years: Vocabulary not growing, not combining words, speech very hard to understand
- 3+ years: Persistent speech sound errors beyond age-typical development