Speech Therapy
Individualized, neuro-affirming speech-language therapy for children, youth, and adults, right here in Ottawa and Kemptville. Because every voice deserves to be heard.
"Neurodivergent minds are not broken; they're beautifully unique and deserving of communication support that truly honors how their brain works."
Finding Your Voice, Your Way
Nurture the Soul, Nurture the Mind, Nurture the Body.
Our certified speech-language pathologist provides individualized speech therapy in Ottawa and Kemptville for clients of all ages. Whether your child is working through articulation, a language delay, sensory language processing differences, or you're an adult looking to strengthen communication skills, we meet every client exactly where they are.
Communication is so much more than words. It's how we connect, express our feelings, build relationships, and move through the world. At Second Nature, we believe every person deserves to be understood and to feel confident being themselves.
Our speech therapy services are rooted in evidence-based techniques, but always delivered through a neuro-affirming, relational, and strengths-based lens. We don't try to make anyone sound "typical." We help each client communicate in ways that feel true, clear, and empowering to them.
Communication Support For Every Stage Of Life
Whether you're booking pediatric speech therapy for your toddler, support for your school-age child, or speech services for yourself, we have a place for you.
Children
Pediatric speech therapy in Ottawa for early language delays, articulation challenges, autism-related communication differences, and sensory language processing support, built around play, trust, and your child's pace.
Youth & Teens
A respectful, pressure-free space for tweens and teens working on expressive language, social communication, fluency, and confidence in everyday conversation.
Families
Collaborative sessions that bring parents and caregivers into the process, so communication strategies travel beyond the clinic and into your home, classroom, and daily routines.
Adults
One-on-one speech therapy for adults working on clarity, voice, social communication, or rebuilding communication after injury or neurological change. You're never too old to strengthen your voice.
Every session is shaped around you: your goals, your rhythm, and your definition of progress.
How We Work
Our approach to speech therapy blends clinical expertise with deep respect for how each brain is wired. Here are the five principles that shape every session.
Areas We Support
Our speech-language pathologist has experience supporting a wide range of speech, language, and communication needs across the lifespan.
Articulation & Speech Sounds
Clear, confident speech through evidence-based articulation therapy, helping children and adults produce sounds they find difficult.
Language Delays
Early intervention and ongoing support for children showing delays in expressive or receptive language development.
Expressive Language
Building vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling skills so clients can share their ideas, needs, and feelings.
Receptive Language
Strengthening language comprehension, understanding instructions, questions, conversations, and the world around them.
Autism & Communication
Neuro-affirming communication support for autistic children, teens, and adults, including AAC, social language, and sensory-aware strategies.
Sensory Language Processing
Tailored support for clients whose sensory differences affect how they process, interpret, and respond to language.
ADHD & Executive Communication
Practical strategies for organizing thoughts, following conversations, and managing communication in school and daily life.
Social Communication
Supporting confidence in conversation, friendships, group settings, and the unwritten rules of social language, on each client's terms.
Fluency & Stuttering
Compassionate, shame-free support for children and adults navigating stuttering, cluttering, and fluency differences.
What To Expect
Booking your first speech therapy session can feel like a big step. Here's what the process looks like with us.
Reach Out
Book online or call us. We'll match you with our speech-language pathologist and walk you through what a session might look like based on your concerns and goals.
Speech & Language Assessment
A warm, play-based (for kids) or conversational (for adults) assessment to understand current strengths, areas of need, history, and what you're hoping to build.
Tailored Sessions
Ongoing therapy sessions designed around your client's profile, in-person at our Ottawa or Kemptville clinics, or virtually across Ontario. Weekly, bi-weekly, or at whatever rhythm works.
Grow Together
We celebrate every milestone with you, adjust goals as progress unfolds, and share strategies your family or team can carry into everyday life.
second nature school testimonials
A Gentle Haven Where Every Voice Is Celebrated
We are here to listen, guide, and empower you with speech and language strategies that truly fit your life. Together, we'll build communication confidence that lasts, right here in Ottawa and Kemptville.
Professionals With Real Life Experience
Our compassionate therapists provide personalized psychotherapy and counselling to support your mental health and well-being at every age and stage.
Becca Palmer
Director of Human Resources
Qualified Professionals Recognized By:
Frequently Asked Questions
Have something else on your mind? We're always happy to chat before you book.
Yes! We offer Secure virtual sessions for Speech Language Consultation across Ontario,. View More Information
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) assesses and supports a wide range of communication needs, including speech sound production, expressive and receptive language, social communication, fluency, voice, and sensory language processing. At Second Nature, our SLP works with children, teens, and adults to build functional, confident communication in ways that honour each person's unique communication style.
Every child develops at their own pace, but some signs that a speech therapy assessment might help include limited words by 18–24 months, difficulty being understood by age 3–4, trouble following instructions, frustration around communication, challenges with social language, or parent/teacher concerns about speech clarity or language skills. When in doubt, an assessment provides clarity, not a label.
Absolutely. Our speech therapy for autism is built around a neuro-affirming approach, meaning we don't try to make autistic children communicate in a "neurotypical" way. We support functional communication in whatever form works best for your child, including spoken language, AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), gestures, and sensory-aware social communication strategies.
Yes. Many children with ADHD benefit from speech therapy, particularly around executive communication, organizing thoughts into clear sentences, conversational turn-taking, and following multi-step instructions. Our SLP tailors sessions to each child's attention profile and learning style.
Speech therapy can begin as early as toddlerhood. Early intervention is often most effective before age 5. That said, it's never too late. We work with clients from early childhood through adulthood, and every stage is an excellent time to strengthen communication.
We use a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each client, including articulation therapy, language comprehension work, expressive language building, social communication coaching, AAC support, and sensory-informed strategies. Every technique is delivered through a neuro-affirming, strengths-based, and relational lens.
It varies. Some clients meet their goals in a few months; others benefit from longer-term support. After our initial assessment, we'll share an honest, realistic picture of what progress might look like, and we'll revisit goals together regularly.
We welcome parent and caregiver involvement and often encourage it, especially for younger clients. Being part of sessions helps you learn strategies you can use at home, reinforcing your child's progress between appointments. We'll discuss what works best for your family during intake.