Autism Speech Therapy for Children
Communication goals for everyday life
We support autistic children, including children who are nonspeaking or use a few spoken words. Goals build on your child’s strengths, interests and ways of communicating, with your family’s priorities in mind.
Depending on your child, we may work on:
- Expressing needs, preferences and boundaries: asking for help, choosing an activity, or letting someone know “no” or “I need a break”.
- Understanding everyday routines: making sense of what happens next during getting ready, snack time or play.
- Sharing interests and taking part: showing someone a favourite toy, commenting on something interesting, or joining an activity your child enjoys.
We support communication through speech, gestures, signs or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), such as pictures or a speech-generating device. More spoken words and eye contact are not universal goals. What matters is communication that helps your child be understood and participate in ways that work for them.
Play-based therapy and parent coaching
Sessions follow your child’s interests and create opportunities to communicate during play, books and familiar activities. For example, a favourite game might offer chances to ask for another turn, make a choice or share an idea. We adapt activities to your child’s communication goals and pace.
Parent coaching helps you use these strategies in daily life. We can explore how to follow your child’s lead, give them time to respond, and model language or communication during routines you already share. The aim is to make communication support manageable within your family’s day.
From consultation to therapy
- Free phone consultation. In a 15-minute call, tell us how your child communicates, what feels difficult and what you would like support with. We’ll discuss whether speech-language therapy is an appropriate next step.
- Paid communication assessment. If you decide to proceed, assessment explores your child’s communication strengths and needs to guide goals. It is a separate paid service, not the free consultation or an autism diagnostic assessment.
- Therapy built around agreed goals. Sessions focus on meaningful communication in your child’s daily life, with strategies for parents and caregivers to use between visits.
Sessions are available in English and French, online across BC and through home visits around Vancouver.
Fees and funding
See our pricing and funding page for current fees, possible funding options and billing information. Please discuss your child’s funding arrangement with us before booking a paid service and confirm eligibility with the relevant program or insurer. Coverage depends on your circumstances and is not guaranteed.
One child’s experience
In our autism play-based language case study, a five-year-old worked with Maëlle on requesting, commenting and shared play, with parent coaching alongside sessions. The story describes one child’s experience; it is not a prediction of another child’s progress or treatment length.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sessions will my child need?
There is no set number. The amount of support depends on your child’s communication needs, goals and response to therapy. Assessment helps guide an initial plan; progress and your family’s priorities guide decisions about continuing or adjusting it.
How can we recognise progress beyond an increase in spoken words?
Look for changes in everyday communication: making a choice more independently, indicating “stop” or “help”, understanding a familiar routine, or sharing an interest. These changes may happen through speech, gestures or AAC. Progress is judged against your child’s goals, rather than a word count alone.
Does speech-language therapy replace other support my child receives?
Speech-language therapy focuses on understanding and expressing language and communicating with others. Occupational therapy, educational support and other services may address different needs. Speech-language therapy can be one part of your child’s support; it does not automatically replace those services. Tell your SLP about the support your child already receives.