Pediatric speech therapy, built around your child.
Every child communicates differently. We offer play-based, in-home speech therapy tailored to your child's age, needs, and personality — delivered where they're most comfortable.
What we work on, by age and need.
Pediatric speech therapy supports children who are having trouble understanding language, using words and sentences, saying sounds clearly, or using communication socially. At Functional Communication, every child is seen by Sneha Fonseka, MSc. S-LP(C), a Speech-Language Pathologist registered with CASLPO (#7608). Sessions take place in your home or your child's daycare, and a parent or caregiver takes part in each one.
Most families start with a free 15-minute phone call. If an assessment makes sense, the first visit is a play-based assessment at home. From there, goals and session frequency are set with you. You do not need a doctor's referral, and receipts are provided for extended health insurance claims.
Not sure which area fits? Start with the age group below, or read about signs of speech delay. Children often need support in more than one area, and the assessment sorts that out.
Early Intervention
The first three years are a critical window for language development. If your toddler isn't talking yet, has a limited vocabulary, or isn't combining words, early support can make a real difference.
Our early intervention sessions use play, daily routines, and parent coaching to help your child build foundational communication skills — from first words to two-word phrases and beyond.
First session: an assessment at home. The SLP plays with your toddler, watches how they understand and use words, gestures, and sounds, and asks about their history and daily routines. You go over what was seen together and decide on next steps.
Preschool Speech & Articulation
Is your child hard to understand? By age 3, most children should be understood by familiar listeners about 75% of the time. If your preschooler is struggling with specific sounds or overall clarity, therapy can help.
We work on speech sound production, sentence building, and the social communication skills your child will need for school — all through play-based activities they actually enjoy.
First session: a speech sound assessment. Your child names pictures and talks during play so the SLP can note which sounds are affected and whether the errors follow a pattern. You then agree on which sounds to work on first.
Autism & Neurodiversity Support
We take a neuro-affirming approach to speech therapy for autistic children. That means we meet your child where they are, build on their strengths, and support communication in ways that respect how they experience the world.
Whether your child communicates through echolalia, gestures, AAC, or emerging words, we help them develop functional communication skills at their own pace.
First session: getting to know your child. The SLP looks at how they communicate now (words, scripts, gestures, or AAC), what they enjoy, and what you would like communication to look like at home. Goals are set together with you.
School Readiness & Pre-Literacy
Starting school is a big milestone. If your child is heading to kindergarten or grade 1 and you're concerned about their speech, language, or early literacy skills, targeted therapy can help them feel more confident and prepared.
We work on phonological awareness, letter-sound connections, storytelling, and the classroom communication skills that set children up for academic success.
First session: a look at rhyming and sound awareness, vocabulary, storytelling, and following instructions, all through games and books. The SLP explains what the results mean for the kindergarten or grade 1 classroom.
Guides for parents.
Speech Delay
Milestones by age, the difference between a speech delay and a speech disorder, and when it is worth booking an assessment.
Read guideGestalt Language Processing
Some children learn language in whole phrases or scripts before single words. What that looks like and how therapy supports it.
Read guideIn-Home Speech Therapy
How sessions at home work, what you need to have ready, and how daily routines become practice time.
Read guide
Not sure what your child needs?
Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation. We'll listen to your concerns and help you figure out the next step. No referral needed.