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Speech-Language Services Ages 0-7 years
Helping Every Child Find Their Voice
Helping Every Child Find Their Voice
Compassionate, evidence-based speech-language support for young children and their families.
Through play, connection, and practical strategies, I help children communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and ease.
If you’re wondering whether your child needs support, you are not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Meet Your Therapist
Hi! I'm Maria.
Hi! I'm Maria.
I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with 30 years of experience supporting young children and their families in building strong, confident communication skills.
My approach is warm, practical, and family-centred. I use play-based, engaging strategies that help children express their thoughts, needs, and feelings in ways that feel natural and meaningful.
As a Certified Parent Coach, I also support parents in feeling more confident, less overwhelmed, and more connected in their parenting journey. You are your child’s most important communication partner — and I am here to support both of you.
Registered Speech-Language Pathologist • Certified Parent Coach • 30 Years Experience • Ages 0–7 Specialist • In-Person & Virtual Services
Areas of Focus
A Holistic, Whole-Child Approach
A Holistic, Whole-Child Approach
Every child’s communication journey is unique. Communication challenges are often not just about “speech.”
They can be connected to:
✨Nervous system regulation
✨Sensory processing
✨Emotional safety
✨Stress and overwhelm
✨Learning differences
I take a gentle, trauma-informed approach that looks at the whole child — not just the surface behavior.
Because sometimes what looks like a speech challenge is really a child saying, “I need support in a deeper way.”
You do not need a diagnosis to seek support — if something feels off, we can explore it together with care and clarity.
Here are some areas I support:
Here are some areas I support:
🗣️ Speech Clarity
🗣️ Speech Clarity
(Articulation & Sound Patterns)
Helping children speak clearly so others can understand them.
Some children know exactly what they want to say — but certain sounds don’t come out clearly yet.
You might notice:
“tat” instead of “cat”
Leaving sounds out of words
Swapping one sound for another
Speech that is hard to understand
Goal: Help your child feel confident and understood when they speak.
👂Understanding Language
👂Understanding Language
(Receptive Language)
How your child understands what is said to them.
This includes:
Following directions
Understanding questions
Learning new vocabulary
Comprehending stories
Strong understanding skills support attention, classroom learning, and confidence.
💬 Using Language
💬 Using Language
(Expressive Language)
How your child uses words and sentences to share ideas.
Support may include:
Growing vocabulary
Building longer sentences
Using correct grammar
Telling stories
Answering and asking questions
Organizing thoughts into language
When children can express themselves clearly, frustration often decreases and connection increases.
🤝 Social Communication
🤝 Social Communication
(Pragmatics)
How your child uses language with other people.
This may involve:
Taking turns in conversation
Staying on topic
Reading social cues
Repairing misunderstandings
Understanding different perspectives
Social communication skills are especially important for children with autism, ADHD, or social communication differences.
🌱 Play & Early Communication
🌱 Play & Early Communication
(Birth–Preschool Years)
For babies and young children, communication begins long before clear words.
Support may focus on:
Joint attention (sharing focus with another person)
Gestures and early sounds
Symbolic play
Interaction with caregivers
Building early language foundations
Play is the foundation of communication — and it is at the heart of my work with young children.
🌊 Fluency (Stuttering)
🌊 Fluency (Stuttering)
Supporting children who:
Repeat sounds or words
Get “stuck” on words
Show tension or frustration when speaking
Support focuses not only on speech patterns but also on building emotional safety and confidence in communication.
📚 Literacy & Learning-Related Language
📚 Literacy & Learning-Related Language
Language is the foundation for reading, writing, and academic success.
Support may include:
Phonological awareness (early reading skills)
Listening comprehension
Organizing thoughts for writing
Working memory and language processing
Strong language skills support both learning and self-esteem.
🧭 Parent & Caregiver Coaching
🧭 Parent & Caregiver Coaching
A Core Part of My Work
You are your child’s most important communication partner.
I support parents by:
Modeling practical strategies
Coaching you during everyday routines
Translating development into clear, doable steps
Supporting connection and regulation through communication
When parents feel confident, children thrive.
How I Work
A Therapy Approach Built Around Your Family
A Therapy Approach Built Around Your Family
I believe that lasting communication growth happens when children feel safe, engaged, and supported — and when parents feel empowered, not overwhelmed.
Play-Based & Fun
Children learn best through play. Sessions are interactive, joyful, and tailored to your child’s interests and developmental level.
A Gentle Family-Centred Approach
Lasting communication growth happens when children feel safe, engaged, and understood — and when parents feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
Evidence-Informed & Experienced
My approach is grounded in research and shaped by three decades of real-world clinical experience with children and their families.
Strengths-First Perspective
I focus on what your child can do and we build from there — celebrating progress, confidence, and connection at every step.
Parent Coaching Included
Alongside therapy, I gently guide parents in building confidence, reducing guilt, and supporting communication in a calm, connected way.
The Power of Early Intervention
The Power of Early Intervention
The early years are a remarkable period of brain and language development. When children receive support early, they are better able to communicate, learn, connect socially, and build lifelong confidence.
If you have a concern, trust your instincts.
Seeking support early can bring clarity, reassurance, and a clear path forward.
How We Connect
Therapy That Fits Your Family
Therapy That Fits Your Family
I offer flexible options so support feels accessible, comfortable, and aligned with your family’s needs.
🏡 In-Person Sessions
🏡 In-Person Sessions
We can meet face-to-face warm, child-friendly environment where hands-on interaction and real-time parent coaching can naturally unfold. Connect with me for more details.
💻 Virtual Sessions
💻 Virtual Sessions
Receive high-quality, engaging speech-language support from the comfort of your home. Virtual sessions are effective, flexible, and ideal for busy families or those who prefer a familiar setting.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Not Sure Where to Start?
You don’t need all the answers before reaching out. If you have questions, concerns, or simply a feeling that your child may benefit from support, we can talk it through together.
Book a Free Consultation
A gentle, no-pressure conversation to understand your child’s needs and explore how I can support your family.
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