Speech and occupational therapy in Malibu for children from birth to 18
Malibu kids can have speech and occupational therapy where they already spend their days, whether that's the living room, the classroom, or a laptop screen.
Malibu children, from the first months up to age 18
Malibu homes and campuses, or video from anywhere in the state
No waiting list in October 2026. After the free call, a Malibu evaluation can happen within 3 business days
Maybe your pediatrician asked how many words your toddler says, and you weren't sure what to answer. Or maybe you've noticed your child playing alone more and talking less than other kids at the beach. Speech and occupational therapy in Malibu can come to your door. Each therapist who comes to Malibu is licensed, in speech or in occupational therapy. They see children from birth to 18 in their homes and schools, with video as a backup. No diagnosis or referral is needed. Malibu parents can start with one call.
Do you visit families all over Malibu?
Yes. Malibu sits inside our home-visit area, from neighborhoods near Pepperdine to the rest of the city. School or daycare visits are possible once you sign a consent form.
Malibu became a city on March 28, 1991. Its public schools are still part of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified, a district headquartered in Santa Monica that serves both coastal cities.
Along the coast and through the canyon, we also visit Topanga, Pacific Palisades, and Santa Monica.
Malibu parents, ask us anything
A licensed therapist reads every message, and the first 15-minute call costs nothing.
Malibu home and school visits; video for families anywhere in California.
Which school district and regional center serve Malibu?
Today, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District serves Malibu. Malibu is part of Westside Regional Center's area, which covers babies and toddlers as well as older children with developmental needs.
Plans for a Malibu district have moved in steps. A county committee denied the city's petition 5 to 4 in May 2025. In December 2025, the district's board approved agreements toward two separate districts. As of that announcement, special legislation and state approvals were still needed, so check the district's Malibu unification page for updates.
Malibu Elementary on Fernhill Drive and Webster Elementary on Winter Canyon are two of the district's public elementary schools in Malibu.
On its special education page, the district says a parent may refer a child for a special education assessment. Your child's school can walk you through the first step.
At Westside Regional Center, the Intake Department is a family's first contact for a developmental concern. That includes Early Start for babies and toddlers.
LA County Library's Malibu Library, on Civic Center Way, lists early learning among its services for children.
What is the first step toward speech and occupational therapy in Malibu?
A free 15-minute phone call with a licensed therapist. You share what you have noticed, and together you decide whether an evaluation makes sense.
If it does, expect the evaluation within 3 business days, held at your Malibu home, at school, or by video. Our pages on the speech evaluation process and the OT evaluation process cover what happens during the visit. Within 14 business days, you receive the written results, plus a treatment plan if therapy is recommended.
Which services reach Malibu homes and schools?
Every one except the social skills groups, whose sessions are in Westlake Village. Speech, OT, and the specialty services can all happen in Malibu, at home or at school.
A Malibu family might choose myofunctional therapy for tongue and lip habits, or stuttering and fluency therapy. Another option is sensory integration therapy for big reactions to noise and touch. None of it requires leaving the coast. Our founders split the clinical lead: speech belongs to Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP, and occupational therapy to Rachel Yashouafar, MA, OTR/L. Every service we offer is on one page.
For more detail, read about pediatric speech therapy in Malibu and pediatric occupational therapy in Malibu. The OT evaluation has its own page: pediatric OT evaluation in Malibu.
Will insurance help a Malibu family pay for therapy?
It can, depending on the plan. For Malibu families, our partner Village bills TRICARE as well as PPO coverage from several major insurers. Then it adds its own per-visit fee.
Malibu sits in Westside Regional Center's area. The only regional center we partner with is Tri-Counties, whose three counties are San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. That leaves two routes for Malibu families: Village, or private pay with a superbill you can send to your insurer. The Village insurance details and our payment choices page explain both.
What else do Malibu parents ask us?
Do we have to drive into the Valley or the city?
No. We come to you, whether that's your Malibu home or your child's school, or we meet by video. Our only clinic is in Westlake Village; it opens December 1, 2026, for families who want an office visit.
Can therapy happen at Malibu Elementary, Webster, or a private school?
It can. First you sign a consent form, and the school says yes. Then we set up the visit: a time that suits the class and a room that suits therapy.
Can you help with tongue thrust or mouth breathing?
Yes. Myofunctional therapy works on tongue, lip, and jaw habits. Short daily practice at home is a big part of it, which is why parent coaching comes with the plan.
Not sure if your child needs therapy?
Start with a free 15 minute consultation. No commitment, just clarity on whether your child would benefit and what the next step looks like.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy for children ages 0 to 18.
“Your baby is able to communicate with you long before they speak a single word!”
Late talking is not rare. One child in five is later than other children the same age to start talking or using words, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
Whatever brought you here, a pediatrician's question or your own hunch, it deserves a real answer. Let's talk it through.
Request your free 15-minute consultation
Tell us what you are noticing about your child. A licensed therapist and our team read every message. Within one business day, our team calls to learn what you need and check insurance, then sets up a free call with Nita, Rachel or both. The consultation is free, lasts about 15 minutes, and carries no obligation. There is no waiting list. If you would rather talk now, call (805) 702-3427.
A licensed therapist reads every message, and the first 15-minute call costs nothing.
