Speech Therapy for Kids in Burnaby, Coquitlam and Vancouver
We help your child communicate better through personalized, evidence-based speech and language therapy.
Speech therapy for kids at KidStart Pediatric Therapy is delivered by certified speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serving families in Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver. Our SLPs specialize in diagnosing and treating speech delays, language development challenges, articulation disorders, fluency difficulties, and communication disorders through play-based, evidence-based sessions designed around each child's specific goals and learning style.
Communication is a foundational skill that shapes how children connect with the world around them. If your child struggles with speech clarity, language comprehension, or expressing their thoughts, early intervention through speech and language therapy can make a lasting difference.
With a personalized approach to speech therapy for kids, our team helps children build strong communication skills, gain confidence, and thrive in both academic and social settings.
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Does Your Child Hit the Milestones?
Children develop at different rates, and some variation in communication skills is normal. However, if a child is not meeting age-appropriate milestones, we advise seeking an evaluation.
Infants
Cooing, babbling, and making vowel sounds by 6 months.
Toddlers
Saying first words by 12 months, combining two words by 24 months.
Preschoolers
Using simple sentences by 3 years, identifying basic shapes and colors by 4 years.
School-age
Using complex sentences by 5 years, reading and writing by 6 years.
Identifying Speech and Language Disorders
If your child has limited vocabulary, difficulty communicating and expressing ideas, language delays, or a fluency disorder, we recommend seeking help from our qualified speech-language pathologist.
Articulation Disorders
Difficulty articulating sounds or words. Children may add sounds, change sounds (like a lisp), omit sounds, or substitute one sound for another.
Receptive Language Disorders
Struggling to understand or follow directions. Children have difficulty grasping age-appropriate vocabulary and following simple instructions.
Phonological Process Disorders
Patterns of sound errors, such as consistently replacing back-of-mouth sounds ("k", "g") with front sounds ("t", "d").
Fluency Disorders (Stuttering)
Repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words, or prolongations of sounds that disrupt the speed, rhythm, and flow of speech.
Voice Disorders
Hoarse, breathy, or nasal voice caused by vocal cord abnormalities or misuse of the voice.
Cognitive Communication Disorders
Difficulties in memory, attention, and problem-solving that affect communication.
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Challenges related to eating, drinking, and swallowing safely.
Our Speech and Language Therapy Services
Our speech therapy services are designed to help your child communicate more effectively and confidently. We address speech disorders such as slow or slurred speech and language difficulties.
Articulation Therapy
Helping children pronounce sounds correctly, improving speech clarity and accuracy.
Language Intervention
Building vocabulary, improving sentence structure, and understanding language better, fostering stronger comprehension skills.
Fluency Therapy
Supporting children who stutter, helping them speak more fluently and confidently.
Social Communication Therapy
Teaching children how to use communication appropriately in social settings, improving their ability to interact with peers and adults.
Have Questions? We're Here to Help.
Every child's journey is different. Book a free consultation to discuss your child's needs with our team.
Benefits of Early Speech Intervention
Improved Academic Performance
With stronger language skills, children are better able to follow instructions, participate in lessons, and perform well academically.
Better Social Skills
Early speech therapy helps children interact more easily with their peers, making it easier to build friendships and engage in group activities.
Increased Confidence
As children gain the ability to express themselves clearly, their self-esteem grows, leading to more positive social experiences and personal growth.
Why Choose KidStart for Speech Therapy?
- Certified speech-language pathologists (CCC-SLP from ASHA)
- Licensed by professional regulatory bodies
- Personalized therapy plans tailored to each child's specific needs
- Collaboration with families to create comprehensive treatment plans
- Evidence-based techniques and engaging therapy sessions
- Convenient Burnaby location serving Coquitlam, New Westminster, and Greater Vancouver
- Safe, kid-friendly environment where children feel comfortable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is speech-language pathology?
Speech-language pathology (SLP) is a regulated health profession in BC covering the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. For children, SLPs evaluate speech sound development, language comprehension and expression, fluency, voice quality, and feeding. In BC, SLPs are regulated by the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC (CSHHPBC). KidStart's speech-language pathologists hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA (CCC-SLP) or the Canadian equivalent (S-LP(C) from SAC) — credentials that require graduate-level training, a supervised clinical fellowship, and ongoing continuing education to maintain. This means your child's care meets the standards of both Canadian and American professional bodies.
At what age should I be concerned about my child's speech?
Key milestones to watch: by 12 months, your child should be babbling and pointing to objects; by 18 months, saying at least 10–20 words; by 24 months, using two-word phrases and understood by familiar adults about half the time; by 3 years, using three-word sentences and understood by strangers roughly three-quarters of the time. If your child is missing these markers, an early assessment is worthwhile — early intervention before age 5 consistently produces better outcomes than waiting. If you're concerned at any age, a speech-language pathology assessment at KidStart can determine whether therapy is warranted or whether your child is simply on the later end of the typical developmental range. There is no downside to seeking an evaluation early.
How long does speech therapy take to show results?
Progress depends on the nature and severity of the communication difficulty, consistency of attendance, and how actively families carry skills into daily life at home. For mild articulation delays, children often show noticeable gains within 3–6 months of weekly sessions. More complex language delays or childhood apraxia of speech may require 12–24 months of ongoing therapy. KidStart SLPs set specific, measurable goals at the start of each therapy plan and review progress every 8–12 sessions. We also provide home practice strategies so progress is not limited to clinic time. Most families notice meaningful changes in everyday communication within the first 6–10 sessions, though each child's trajectory is different.
Do you work with children who have autism?
Yes. Many children on the autism spectrum have speech and language goals that benefit from SLP support. KidStart's SLPs work on functional communication including spoken language, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, picture exchange systems (PECS), and social communication and pragmatics. We collaborate closely with our behaviour intervention team to align therapy goals across disciplines. For children with an autism diagnosis, BC Autism Funding (through the Ministry of Children and Family Development) can be applied toward SLP services at KidStart — contact us and we can walk you through how to apply that funding to your child's therapy plan.
Can speech therapy help with reading and writing difficulties?
Yes. Phonological awareness — the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of spoken language — is the strongest predictor of early reading success. SLPs are trained to assess and treat phonological awareness deficits, which underlie many reading difficulties including dyslexia. KidStart's SLPs can screen for phonological awareness gaps and provide targeted intervention using evidence-based approaches. If your child's teacher or school has flagged reading difficulties, a speech-language pathology assessment can determine whether a sound-level language issue is contributing — and focused SLP intervention often produces meaningful gains in reading accuracy and fluency alongside classroom support.
Does BC medical or insurance cover speech therapy for kids?
BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) does not cover private speech-language pathology sessions. However, several programs can offset the cost: (1) BC Autism Funding — children with an autism diagnosis can use provincial autism funding toward SLP at KidStart; (2) MCFD Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) program — families of children with designated special needs may qualify for funded therapy supports; (3) CKNW Kids Fund — a BC charitable grant program that helps fund therapy for children whose families cannot access other sources; (4) Private health insurance — most employer benefit plans (Sun Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, Manulife) include SLP coverage. Ask us about direct billing at your initial consultation.
How much does speech therapy for kids cost in Burnaby and Vancouver?
Private SLP rates in Metro Vancouver and Burnaby reflect the BC College guidelines and market for regulated health professionals. Initial assessments (60–90 minutes) and individual therapy sessions (45–60 minutes) are priced at KidStart's current clinic rates — contact us for the current fee schedule. Many families offset costs through private insurance (direct billing available), BC autism funding, or the CYSN program. We encourage every family to explore funding options before assuming therapy is out of reach. Our team can help identify which programs your child may qualify for during your initial consultation — at no additional charge.
Related Reading for Parents
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Help Your Child Communicate Better
If you're concerned about your child's communication skills, don't wait. Book a consultation with one of our speech-language therapists to assess your child's needs and create a personalized therapy plan.