Frontenac County

Speech therapy for kids in Kingston

Kingston's free preschool program is called Early Expressions, run by KidsInclusive at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, which is also the Children's Treatment Centre for the region.

In Kingston the pieces are Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Preschool Speech and Language (Early Expressions) (KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development) before school, KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development for rehabilitation to age 19, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (Hotel Dieu Hospital site) for hospital clinics, and the Limestone District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board once a child is in school. KidsInclusive is based at the Hotel Dieu Hospital site of Kingston Health Sciences Centre, so preschool speech, rehabilitation and the developmental clinics share one front door.

Speechie plans virtual appointments for Kingston families once CASLPO registration is confirmed. Until then, this page maps what is free today.

Free and public options in Kingston

1
Before school: Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Preschool Speech and Language (Early Expressions)

Run by KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development. Free, parent self-referral, birth to school entry. Call 613-544-3400 ext. 23175.
2
In school: 2 boards

Ask the teacher for a referral to the board's speech-language pathologist.
- Limestone District School Board
- Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
French-language: Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est.
3
Any age: KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development

KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development serves Frontenac County to age 19 and is the SmartStart Hub entry point; families refer directly. Kingston Health Sciences Centre (Hotel Dieu Hospital site) takes physician referrals for specialty clinics, and KFL&A Public Health runs early-years programs.

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What is different about Kingston

Kingston's preschool program, Early Expressions, is run by KidsInclusive at the Hotel Dieu Hospital site of Kingston Health Sciences Centre, so preschool speech, the Children's Treatment Centre and the developmental clinics share one front door on Brock Street. The catchment covers Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

Limestone District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board both employ speech-language pathologists, and Kingston's francophone families are served by the eastern Ontario French boards.

Kingston Frontenac Public Library runs free early literacy programs, and KFL&A Public Health offers Healthy Babies Healthy Children home visiting. Private clinic rates in Kingston are generally at the lower end of the Ontario range.

Hospital

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (Hotel Dieu Hospital site)

Free storytimes

Kingston Frontenac Public Library

French-language boards

Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est

Private speech therapy in Kingston

OHIP does not cover private clinics in Kingston; typical 2026 rates are roughly $110 to $180 per hour and $300 to $600 for an assessment (often mid-range in Kingston). Verify any clinician on the CASLPO Public Register, then see the cost guide and questions to ask.

Start at home, today

Questions Kingston families ask

How do I get free speech therapy for my child in Kingston?

Before school, parents refer directly to Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Preschool Speech and Language (Early Expressions), run by KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development (613-544-3400 ext. 23175): no doctor referral, no diagnosis, no fee. Once in school, ask the Limestone District School Board or Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board for a speech-language referral, or refer to KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development directly.

Which hospital in Kingston has a speech-language service for children?

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (Hotel Dieu Hospital site) is the hospital route in Frontenac County; specialty clinics such as feeding, cleft or voice need a physician referral. For most speech and language concerns the community program (KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development) or KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development is the faster door.

Does OHIP cover private speech therapy in Kingston?

No. OHIP does not pay for private speech-language pathology in Kingston or anywhere in Ontario. Many extended health plans cover part of it, and fees paid to a CASLPO-registered speech-language pathologist qualify for the medical expense tax credit.

Will Speechie offer appointments in Kingston?

Speechie plans virtual appointments for Kingston families once the clinician's CASLPO registration is confirmed. Until then, use KidsInclusive Centre for Child and Youth Development and join the waitlist to be notified.

Nearby cities

Ottawa

City of Ottawa

Oshawa and Durham Region

Durham Region

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Need help now? Ontario has free options.

Children not yet in school can self-refer to the Preschool Speech and Language Program. No doctor, no fee.

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