Every child develops at their own pace.
When you notice your little one struggling to express themselves, play with peers, or have questions about developmental milestones, it's natural to reach out.
speech, Language, Literacy, occupational & psychology services for Children, Teens, Adults in Edmonton & St. Albert
How We Help Your Child Thrive
Our comprehensive services address the full range of communication, developmental, and social challenges children may face.
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We support:
Early language development (pre-linguistic skills, first words, vocabulary)
Expressive and receptive language delays; Developmental Language Disorder
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Speech sound difficulties (Articulation, Phonology, Motor Speech Disorders such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech)
Stuttering and fluency challenges
Voice disorders
Feeding difficulties
Social communication development
Literacy development
Delivered By
Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
certified Therapy Assistants (TA)
Coverage
Sessions with a Registered SLP are typically covered by extended health insurance plans
Sessions with a Therapy Assistant are not typically covered through insurance
Rate:
SLP: $148/hour
TA: $87/hour
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We support:
Fine motor skill development (cutting, drawing, manipulating small objects)
Gross motor skill development (running, jumping, climbing, balancing, throwing/catching)
Sensory processing challenges
Feeding difficulties
Toileting readiness
Self-care skills (dressing, hygiene, toileting)
Handwriting and printing
Visual-motor integration
Attention and executive functioning
Emotional literacy and emotional regulation
Delivered By
Registered Occupational Therapists (OTs)
Therapy Assistants (TA), under the supervision of an OT
Rate
OT: $148/hour
TA: $87/hour
Coverage
Typically covered by extended health insurance plans
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What We Address:
Phonological awareness (sound awareness skills)
Letter-sound knowledge
Reading difficulties and dyslexia
Reading comprehension challenges
Spelling and written expression
Language-based learning disabilities
Delivered By
SLP, Therapy Assistant or Educator with specialized literacy training
Coverage
Typically covered by extended health insurance plans (when provided by SLPs)
Services by a Literacy Coordinator or Therapy Assistant may be covered under Health Savings Account.
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In-depth assessments with a Registered Psychologist can provide valuable insight into your child’s unique strengths, needs and learning profile. The goal is to gather information about your child’s cognitive strengths and challenges, academic skills, emotional well-being, and adaptive abilities. The interpretation of these results will lead to recommendations for supporting your child’s learning and development.
We also conduct multidisciplinary assessments for autism spectrum disorder. Click here to learn more!
What We Work On Together
speech &
Language
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Is your toddler not saying as many words as other children their age? Are they not yet putting words together?
What It Looks Like:
Fewer than 50 words by age 2
Not combining words by age 2 ("more juice," "daddy go")
Limited use of gestures (pointing, waving)
Difficulty engaging in back-and-forth communication
Frustration due to inability to communicate needs
How We Help:
Early intervention is powerful! We use play-based, parent-focused strategies to stimulate language development and get your little one communicating. We also offer specialized Baby & Toddler Groups for ages 6-24 months.
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Does your child substitute, omit, or distort certain sounds when speaking? Do others have difficulty understanding them?
What It Looks Like:
Saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" (sound substitutions)
Leaving off ending sounds: "ca" for "cat"
Difficulty with specific sounds (r, s, l, th, etc.)
Speech that is hard for unfamiliar listeners to understand
How We Help:
Our SLPs and Therapy Assistants (TAs) use age-appropriate and evidence-based approaches to help your child produce sounds correctly and be understood by others. We make practicing fun and engaging through games, stories, and activities your child loves.
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Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a motor speech disorder where the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.
What It Looks Like:
Inconsistent speech sound errors
Difficulty imitating sounds and words
Groping or struggling to produce sounds
Vowel distortions
Difficulty with longer or more complex words
How We Help:
Our SLPs use specialized, evidence-based approaches for CAS, including intensive motor-based therapy with frequent repetition, multi-sensory cueing, and systematic progression toward functional communication.
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Is your child having trouble putting words together, using short sentences, or expressing their thoughts and needs?
What It Looks Like:
Limited vocabulary for age
Using short, simple sentences when longer ones are expected
Difficulty finding the right words
Grammatical errors (e.g., "me go" instead of "I'm going")
Frustration when trying to communicate
How We Help:
We use evidence-based strategies to expand vocabulary, build sentence complexity, and improve your child's ability to express their thoughts, needs, and ideas clearly and confidently.
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Does your child struggle to follow directions, understand questions, or comprehend what others are saying?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty following multi-step directions
Trouble answering questions appropriately
Confusion during conversations
Difficulty understanding stories or lessons
Seeming to "not listen" (but hearing is fine)
How We Help:
Our therapists build comprehension skills through structured activities that teach your child how to process and understand language at increasingly complex levels.
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Does your child repeat sounds, syllables, or words? Do they seem to get "stuck" when trying to talk?
What It Looks Like:
Repetitions of sounds, syllables, or words ("b-b-ball," "I-I-I want")
Prolongations of sounds ("sssssnake")
Blocks (getting stuck, no sound comes out)
Physical tension when speaking
Frustration or avoidance of speaking situations
How We Help:
We provide compassionate, evidence-based stuttering therapy tailored to your child's age and needs. For young children, we often use indirect, play-based approaches and parent coaching. For older children, we teach fluency strategies and build confidence.
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Is your child's voice frequently hoarse, breathy, or strained? Do they lose their voice easily?
What It Looks Like:
Chronic hoarseness or raspiness
Breathy or weak voice quality
Vocal fatigue (voice gets tired quickly)
Speaking too loudly or with strain
Pitch abnormalities
How We Help:
Our SLPs work closely with ENT specialists (when appropriate) to address voice disorders through vocal hygiene education, breath support techniques, and strategies to reduce vocal strain. We make voice therapy fun and accessible for kids.
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Does your child struggle with back-and-forth conversation, understanding social cues, or making friends?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty taking turns in conversation
Trouble understanding jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Challenges reading facial expressions or body language
Tendency to talk only about preferred topics
Difficulty making and keeping friends
How We Help:
We use neurodiversity-affirming approaches to build social communication skills and help each child develop important self-advocacy skills. Social stories, video modeling and involving your child’ interest are some of the way that we help build your child's social language skills and confidence in social situations.
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Autistic children often experience challenges with communication, social interaction, and language development.
What It Looks Like:
Delayed language development or lack of spoken language
Echolalia (repeating words or phrases)
Difficulty with social communication and interaction
Challenges with non-verbal communication
Sensory sensitivities (may overlap with OT services)
How We Help:
Our team uses neurodiversity-affirming, evidence-based approaches to support communication development. We work on functional communication, social skills, language comprehension, and expressive language in ways that honour your child's unique strengths and needs. We often collaborate with OTs for comprehensive support.
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Is your child struggling to learn to read, spell, or write despite appropriate instruction?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty learning letter-sound relationships
Trouble blending sounds to read words
Poor phonological awareness (rhyming, sound manipulation)
Reading comprehension difficulties
Spelling challenges
Difficulty with written expression
How We Help:
Our SLPs with specialized literacy training use evidence-based structured literacy approaches to address the underlying language skills needed for reading and writing success. We work on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. We also provide support for literacy through our Literacy Specialists, Therapy Assistants, and small group class options.
daily life, play, & learning
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Is your child struggling with tasks that require small hand movements, like using utensils, buttoning, or manipulating small toys?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty with pencil grasp or coloring
Struggles with scissors, cutting
Trouble with buttons, zippers, or snaps
Difficulty manipulating small objects (beads, Lego, puzzles)
Poor hand strength or coordination
Avoidance of fine motor activities
How We Help:
Our OTs use play-based activities, therapeutic exercises, and adaptive strategies to strengthen hand muscles, improve coordination, and build the fine motor skills your child needs for school, play, and self-care.
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Does your child seem overly sensitive to sounds, textures, or movements? Or do they seek out intense sensory experiences?
What It Looks Like:
Over-responsiveness: Distress with certain sounds, textures, lights, or touch
Under-responsiveness: Doesn't notice pain, temperature, or sensory input that others do
Sensory seeking: Constantly moving, touching, crashing, or seeking intense input
Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine
Meltdowns in busy or stimulating environments
Picky eating related to textures or smells
How We Help:
Our OTs conduct comprehensive sensory assessments and create personalized sensory diets and strategies to help your child regulate their sensory experiences, improve attention, and participate more fully in daily activities.
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Is your child's handwriting messy, slow, or painful? Do they resist writing tasks?
What It Looks Like:
Poor letter formation or inconsistent sizing
Difficulty staying on lines
Slow writing speed
Hand fatigue or pain when writing
Poor spacing between letters or words
Avoidance of writing activities
Difficulty copying from the board
How We Help:
Our OTs address the underlying skills needed for handwriting success, including fine motor strength, visual-motor integration, and pencil control. We use evidence-based programs and make practice engaging and achievable.
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Is your child struggling with age-appropriate self-care tasks like dressing, eating, or toileting?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty with buttons, zippers, or shoe tying
Struggles using utensils appropriately
Challenges with toileting independence
Difficulty with grooming tasks (brushing teeth, washing hands)
Resistant to or frustrated by self-care routines
How We Help:
Our OTs break down self-care tasks into manageable steps, build the underlying motor and cognitive skills needed, and use adaptive strategies to support independence and confidence.
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Visual-motor integration is the ability to coordinate visual information with motor movements—essential for tasks like writing, catching a ball, or completing puzzles.
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty copying shapes, letters, or numbers
Poor performance in sports or activities requiring hand-eye coordination
Struggles with puzzles or construction toys
Difficulty judging distances or spatial relationships
Challenges with math concepts (number lines, graphs)
How We Help:
Our OTs use targeted activities and exercises to strengthen the connection between visual processing and motor output, improving your child's performance in school, play, and daily tasks.
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Does your child struggle with focus, organization, planning, or impulse control?
What It Looks Like:
Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks
Easily distracted by external or internal stimuli
Challenges with organization (desk, backpack, materials)
Difficulty following multi-step directions
Impulsivity or difficulty waiting their turn
Trouble transitioning between activities
Challenges with time management and planning
How We Help:
Our OTs teach strategies and provide tools to improve attention, organization, planning, and self-regulation. We work with families and schools to create supportive environments and routines.
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Is your child experiencing frequent meltdowns, difficulty managing frustration, or challenges bouncing back from disappointment?
What It Looks Like:
Intense emotional reactions to minor frustrations
Difficulty calming down once upset
Frequent tantrums or meltdowns
Challenges identifying and expressing emotions
Difficulty transitioning or handling changes
Avoidance of challenging tasks due to emotional overwhelm
How We Help:
Our OTs use evidence-based approaches to teach emotional regulation strategies, build frustration tolerance, and develop coping skills. We work closely with families to create supportive environments and consistent strategies.
Children learn best
through play.
Our therapy isn't about drills and worksheets—it's about engaging your child in activities they love while building critical skills.
Our Approach to Children's Therapy
Special Programs & Groups for Children
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![Children's speech and occupational therapy in Edmonton and St. Albert]()
Parent & Baby SPARC Workshop (6-18 months)
The SPARC curriculum, created by Dr. Amy Tanner and Dr. Katerina Dounavi, is a treasure map for parents with infants aged 6-18 months who are showing signs of autism, developmental delays, or simply those who want to supercharge their child's brain development during a very critical and neural sensitive time.
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![Pediatric speech and occupational therapy in Edmonton and St. Albert]()
Children's Social Group
Make friends, play games, and build real-world skills—our fun social groups help kids develop speech, language, and daily living abilities through structured play and connection.
Children’s
Social Group
Make friends, play games, and build real-world skills—our fun social groups help kids develop speech, language, and daily living abilities through structured play and connection.
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Our social groups are designed for children who could benefit from structured social opportunities while building speech, language, and daily living skills. It's perfect for kids who are working on turn-taking, conversation skills, being part of a group, or just need more practice connecting with peers in a supportive environment.
Groups are organized by age range and are kept small, with 3-6 kids per group.
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Each session blends play-based activities with skill-building opportunities. Kids participate in games, crafts, and collaborative activities led by our therapists. We focus on real-world skills like asking for help, sharing materials, expressing feelings, and following group routines—all while having fun with friends.
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Fall/Winter 2025
Our current groups run on Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:45-4:45pm.
The program cost is $70 per session.
Groups are arranged by age. Space is limited to ensure each child gets the attention and support they need.
These sessions can be submitted to extended health benefits under speech therapy, if applicable.
Contact us today to learn more about if this group would be a good fit for your child! 587-410-9791
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Parents drop off and wait for them in the waiting area—this gives kids the chance to practice independence and connect with peers on their own. We'll provide updates after each session so you know what your child worked on and celebrated.
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That's totally fine! Many kids joining us are trying group therapy for the first time. Our therapists create a welcoming environment and adjust activities to match where each child is at. We build confidence gradually.
FAQ
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Absolutely! Many children benefit from both speech-language therapy and occupational therapy working together. For example, children with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays often need support for communication AND fine motor skills, sensory processing, or self-regulation. Our SLPs and OTs collaborate to ensure services are coordinated and complementary, making it convenient for your family.
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A late talker is a toddler (typically 18-30 months) who has fewer words than expected for their age but no other developmental delays. While some late talkers do catch up on their own, research shows that early speech therapy significantly improves outcomes. We recommend an assessment to determine if your child will benefit from intervention rather than taking a "wait and see" approach.
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Yes! Our Speech-Language Pathologists have specialized training and experience in treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) using evidence-based approaches using the Principles of Motor Learning. CAS requires intensive, systematic intervention, and we're equipped to provide the frequent, specialized therapy that children with apraxia need for best outcomes. We serve St. Albert, Edmonton, and surrounding areas.
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We offer both in-person and virtual therapy options! Virtual therapy (teletherapy) can be highly effective for many children and parents. It offers convenience and eliminates travel time. Our therapists will help you determine which option is best for your child's age, needs, and learning style. Many families use a combination of both.
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Trust your instincts—if you're concerned at any age, it's worth having an assessment. General red flags include: no babbling by 12 months, no words by 18 months, fewer than 50 words by age 2, not combining words by age 2, or speech that's very difficult to understand by age 3. Early intervention leads to better outcomes, so it's always better to assess early.
We will love to meet you & your little one to answer questions and equip you with proven strategies to support language development.
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Yes! Occupational therapy is highly beneficial for children with ADHD. Our Occupational Therapists teach practical strategies to improve attention, organization, time management, impulse control, and emotional regulation. We also address sensory processing challenges and executive functioning difficulties common in children with ADHD, helping them succeed at home, school, and in daily activities.