Pediatric speech therapy in Santa Monica, from first words to clear sentences
Babies, preschoolers, and teens in Santa Monica can all work with a licensed speech-language pathologist, at home, in class, or by video call.
Babies through 18-year-olds
Home, school with your consent, or video
A free 15-minute call with a therapist
Maybe your child points and grunts instead of asking for things. Or maybe a preschool teacher said the other kids can't always understand your child. Pediatric speech therapy in Santa Monica can meet your child where they already are, at home or at school. In speech therapy, a child works with a speech-language pathologist on understanding words, using them in sentences, and saying sounds clearly. Most of it looks like play, and parents pick up small ways to practice. No diagnosis or referral is needed.
Do Santa Monica families get speech therapy at home?
Yes. Santa Monica is part of our home-visit area. Video sessions are available as well.
A Santa Monica school, preschool, or daycare can host sessions too. Your consent form comes first, then the school's yes. We then phone the staff to settle a time and look over the room. Evaluations can also be done by request in a private office out in Westlake Village. That is also the home of our new clinic, opening December 1, 2026, at 2535 Townsgate Road.
Ask a Santa Monica speech question
Send a note or call. Within one business day, our team writes back.
Speech sessions in Santa Monica homes and schools, plus video.
What does pediatric speech therapy in Santa Monica work on?
How a child understands words, finds them, strings them together, and says them clearly. Smooth speech and social talk belong here too.
Santa Monica children can come to us for language therapy, which targets understanding and using words, and for articulation therapy, which targets unclear sounds. We also help with stuttering, which affects the flow of speech, and with social communication. Childhood apraxia of speech, myofunctional therapy, and feeding therapy are part of our speech work as well.
How do Santa Monica-Malibu schools handle speech and language?
School speech-language pathologists assess students to see if they qualify for speech and language services. That is how a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified programs guide describes their role.
The guide lists several ways the help is given. A therapist may work with a student directly or advise teachers and parents. Some work happens in the classroom or on the playground. Students may be seen alone or in small groups.
Want to ask for a first assessment? The district's special education page names your school's Specialized Academic Instruction teacher as the person to contact. Its glossary says a written referral is good practice. A spoken one may still be valid.
Private therapy with us can run alongside school services. If you sign off in writing, our team can talk with your child's teachers and specialists.
What public preschool programs do Santa Monica children have?
The district's special education guide lists a Specialized Academic Instruction preschool program at Washington West and Rogers Elementary. Communication and social skills are among its areas.
A special education teacher leads that program, with adult support in the classroom. In October 2026, the district's Child Development Services also listed a Spanish dual immersion class among its part-day morning preschool programs, at McKinley Elementary on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Edison Language Academy on Virginia Avenue runs from preschool through grade 5. The state school directory marks it for multilingual instruction.
Preschool and school sessions are possible as well, with your signed consent and the school's yes.
How soon can a Santa Monica child begin?
Within days. Expect the evaluation inside 3 business days of the free phone call, so Monday's call can mean Wednesday's evaluation.
Therapy can begin before any paperwork is written; five days after your call is the earliest first session. Expect the written findings within 14 business days, counting from the evaluation day, plus a plan if speech therapy is recommended. Speech therapy at home or by video has no waiting list as of October 2026. Rush evaluations are available on request.
Read about the pediatric speech evaluation in Santa Monica on its own page.
Our speech program has Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP, at its head. She co-founded Therapy Clubhouse and treats infants through teens herself.
How do Santa Monica families pay for speech therapy?
Santa Monica families have two routes: insurance billed by our partner Village, or private pay. On the free call we go over your plan together.
Village works with TRICARE. It also takes PPO plans from a group of several major insurers, and it adds its own charge to each visit. Choose private pay, and a superbill comes with it; send it to your plan to ask about out-of-network payment. Compare every payment option, or read how insurance through Village works.
What Santa Monica parents ask about speech
We speak two languages at home. Is that a problem?
No. Hearing two languages at home does not cause developmental language disorder, the NIDCD says. When you call, tell us which languages your child hears.
Is speech therapy only for toddlers?
No. Santa Monica babies, school-age kids, and teens up to 18 can all work with us.
What if the evaluation shows my child is on track?
Then we will tell you so. Not every child needs therapy, and a clear answer helps too.
Nearby, children in Malibu, Culver City, and Brentwood can have speech therapy with us too. There is occupational therapy in Santa Monica as well, and the Santa Monica page has the rest.
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.
“Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.”
In Santa Monica, 27.8 percent of residents age 5 and older use a language other than English at home, U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts shows for 2020 to 2024.
When the way your child talks keeps tugging at you, that alone is reason enough to ask. Let's talk about it.
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.
Send a note or call. Within one business day, our team writes back.
