Services for Children

Our clients

Services for Children

Columbia Speech and Language Services sees children with a variety of speech and language challenges, including:

  • Language delay
  • Hearing impairment
  • Articulation (speech sound) delay
  • Speech and language problems associated with dyslexia or other learning disabilities
  • Neurologically based problems such as cerebral palsy, diseases of the brain, and traumatic brain injury
  • Voice disorders such as: vocal nodules, chronically hoarse voice, or difficulty with voice transition during puberty
  • Stuttering ( please see the stuttering section of this website for the most relevant information if this is your concern)

How we work with families

At Columbia, we firmly believe that parents and families know their children best. We are here to listen to the concerns that lead people to enquire about speech therapy for their children.

In many cases, parents simply need to be reassured that their child's speech and language development is okay. Some kids may need a gentle nudge to put their emerging speech and language skills on track. Others may need support for coping with weak speech and language skills that are affecting their academic or social success or hindering their development of healthy self-esteem.

Columbia therapists use a practical, hands-on approach that may include any member of a client's "team" - including, for example: parents, siblings, friends, teachers, other therapists, and where relevant, insurance company representatives, physicians, or anyone else who is part of the child's life.

Treatment is available in our Vancouver office or, for a fee, our therapists will travel to the child's home, school, or preschool. We offer the option of coming to where the child will get the greatest benefit from our services, provided the facility allows outside staff.

How to register

Children may be referred to Columbia directly by their parents or by other speech-language pathologists, family doctors, pediatricians, teachers, psychologists, orthodontists, occupational therapists, or others.

If eligible, children may be referred by a fee-paying agency such as the Insurance Corporation of B.C., Crime Victims Assistance Program of B.C., The Community Brain Injury Program for Children and Youth, or by one of several charities.

Contact Columbia at 604-875-9100 to discuss your needs or make a referral.