Speech Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

It is a common misunderstanding that speech therapists "only help with speech".

In fact, we can provide services for children who need assistance with various areas related to communication. This includes "speech" (speech sounds/articulation), as well as language, literacy, cognition, social communication, fluency, and voice.  

Click to read more about Communication Health professionals.

Specifically, speech therapists (also known as Speech-Language Pathologists or SLPs) treat a variety of areas, including:

• late talkers/early intervention
• speech sound disorders
• voice disorders
• fluency disorders/stuttering,
• language disorders
• learning disorders
• developmental delays
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• dyslexia/reading and writing difficulties
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD
• Down Syndrome
• Cerebral Palsy
• Concussion/traumatic brain injury that can lead to memory and attention challenges. 

Did you know? We also help with children who do not have a diagnosable condition/challenge but who simply need to boost skills, such as writing strong essays in preparation for high school, memory strategies for studying and test-taking, social skills practice for introverts, and speaking more clearly for everyday life.

If you're unsure if our speech therapy services can meet your child's needs, please reach out, and we will explore how we may assist you or make recommendations. 

NOTE: At this time, we do not offer pediatric swallowing services.

As a pediatric clinic, services are geared to individuals ages 0-12. Click here for evidence-based details on what to expect at each age: Speech Milestones

How do Speech Therapists help Babies?(age 0-1): the focus is on early intervention and parent training to help babies speak early. We help you capitalize on your infant's rapid growth in these early days so you can boost strong communication skills later on, especially in the era of screen time causing speech delays.

Speech Therapy help for Toddlers (age 1-3): the focus is on helping your toddler to communicate more by using more words, "bigger" words, full sentences (3 words+), and clearer speech sounds. Helpful rule to know if your toddler's speech is on track: 75% of people should understand what your child says by age 3! 

Strong communication skills at this age are also important for learning/asking questions, operating in their environment (ex. making requests, comments), reducing frustration, developing social skills, and laying the foundation for literacy and learning success in school. 

Speech Therapy help for school-aged kids (age 4 -12): the focus at this stage is ensuring your child's speech is clearly understood 100% of the time by others, (by age 4), and that their language (grammar, sentence forms, etc.) and reading skills are developing well. 

Language and reading go hand-in-hand and is increasingly important as they begin school and need to shift from "learning to read", to "reading to learn".

Competent children who can communicate and read become confident learners who love school and excel!

By age 7, all of their speech sounds should be correct (i.e. said how an adult says them). We also help school-age children with voice issues (hoarsenss, volume), fluency (stuttering concerns), social communication/interaction skills (ASD diagnosis, shy children), as well as cognition skills (memory, attention) for concussion therapy, or writing skills for school-based needs.

Clients pay for private speech therapy "out-of-pocket". That said, you may have coverage to help pay for services. Check your employee or post-secondary student extended health benefits insurance plan details. Most benefit plans cover funding for speech therapy services. 

For families experiencing financial constraints, here are some organizations who may offer funding for children with disabilities:

• Harmonize4Speech
• Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication
• Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation 
• Ceridian Cares.
• President’s Choice Children’s Charity

For further financial support, consider income tax credits and deductions for children or for medical expenses. Consult with a qualified accountant.

Explore government funding programs, such as the: Ontario Autism Program (OAP), Jordan's Principle (for First Nations), and the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) for refugees.

CKST Speech Therapy Scholarships and geared-to-income services may be available for clients in need if seeking London Ontario speech therapy. Get in touch to find out more.

Yes! 💛 CKST is proud to be a locally-owned and operated small business, offering private speech therapy for kids based in London, Ontario.

Kerry's team also serves the surrounding areas of London. 

For those seeking virtual speech therapy services for kids in Ontario, we can deliver our speech therapy assessments and treatments conveniently online. Contact us to ensure this is a suitable option for your child. 

• Screenings: free! (contact us for details) 

• Initial assessment: $215/hour 

• Follow-up sessions with our speech-language pathology professionals: $145/hour, $115/45-minute, or $85/30-minute 

• Follow-up therapy sessions with therapy assistants: $20 less above amounts

• Group (2+ children) follow-up sessions: $95/hour

• In-home travel premium (within London): $30. Contact for quotes outside of city limits. 

• 10% discount available for a block of 6 prepaid follow-up sessions. 

• Direct Billing to extended health insurance providers may be available by request, dependant on the insurance provider.

We are excited to announce the opening of a new clinic location in the southwest area of London! We will provide convenient access to speech therapy for children in London, Ontario in the neighbourhoods and communities of:

• Byron
• Lambeth
• Oakridge
• Riverbend
• Komoka
• Kilworth
• Westmount
• White Oaks
• Hyde Park

We're happy to welcome clients from across London and Middlesex area, including St. Thomas, Ilderton, Delaware, Lobo, Mt. Brydges, and Strathroy areas. 

Additionally, our clinicians can travel to clients' homes for an additional fee of $30. 

Clients can access online speech therapy services across Ontario, ensuring access to an expert, friendly speech-language pathologist for kids anywhere in the province.