Short answer: In Surrey there are two parallel systems. Fraser Health provides free preschool speech services for children aged 5 and under, and you can self-refer — no doctor’s note needed, just call a public health unit. Private speech and occupational therapy typically runs $120–$180 per session. If your child has an autism diagnosis, BC’s Autism Funding Program provides up to $22,000 a year under age 6 and $6,000 a year from 6 to 18 — though the program is transitioning and is accepting new applications until March 2027.
The hardest part of getting therapy support in BC isn’t the therapy. It’s working out which door is free, which one has a waitlist, and which pot of money you’re allowed to spend. This guide lays that out for Surrey families.
This is general information, not medical or clinical advice. If you have concerns about your child’s development, speak with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or public health nurse.
Public or Private? Start Here
| Public (Fraser Health) | Private clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | ~$120–$180 per session |
| Who it’s for | Preschool speech: ages 5 and under | Any age |
| How to access | Self-referral or professional referral | Book directly |
| Wait | Often months | Usually weeks |
| Session frequency | Typically blocks, spaced out | As often as you pay for |
| Funding available | N/A | Autism Funding, extended health |
The pragmatic answer for most families: get on the public waitlist immediately — it costs nothing and the clock starts running — and use private sessions in the meantime if you can. Many Surrey families do both.
Free Speech Services Through Fraser Health
Fraser Health runs Preschool Speech Development services for children who live in the Fraser Health catchment area and have potential or actual speech and communication difficulties.
- Ages: 5 and under
- Cost: free
- Referral: families can self-refer, or be referred by a doctor, nurse or early childhood educator
- How: call a Fraser Health public health unit, which directs you to the nearest service provider
The self-referral part matters. You do not need to wait for a doctor’s appointment, and you do not need a diagnosis, to make that first call. If you are wondering whether your two-year-old should have more words, that is a good enough reason to phone.
Once your child starts school, speech-language support generally shifts to the school district rather than public health. Talk to the school — every district has speech-language pathologists, though caseloads are large.
What Private Therapy Costs in Surrey
| Service | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Speech-language pathology session (45–60 min) | $120–$180 |
| Occupational therapy session | $120–$180 |
| Initial assessment (SLP or OT) | $200–$400 |
| Physiotherapy (pediatric) | $100–$160 |
| Behaviour consultant | $120–$200/hour |
| Sensory gym drop-in / play session | Varies by clinic |
Check your extended health plan first. Most workplace plans in BC include some speech and occupational therapy coverage — often $300 to $700 per year per family member. It’s rarely enough on its own, but it’s free money that many families never claim.
Pediatric Therapy Clinics in Surrey
Power To Empower Pediatric Therapy — South Surrey
Multidisciplinary pediatric therapy and sensory play at Morgan Crossing, with occupational therapy, speech therapy and developmental support delivered in a purpose-built sensory play gym. Having OT and speech under one roof matters more than it sounds — it saves you running two sets of appointments and two sets of notes.
View listing →
We Play Kids Sensory Gym — South Surrey
A sensory-friendly indoor play space supporting children’s motor development through inclusive, therapeutic play, with occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology in a play-based environment. Useful for families who want therapy that doesn’t feel like a clinic.
View listing →
Browse all kids’ health care listings →
What Is a Sensory Gym?
A sensory gym is a space designed around how children take in and process physical information — swings, crash pads, climbing structures, tunnels, textures and equipment that provides deep pressure and movement input.
They’re used in occupational therapy for children who are working on motor planning, coordination, balance and self-regulation, and they’re often a far more effective setting than a table and chairs, because the work looks like play.
Worth knowing: some sensory gyms offer open play sessions alongside therapy. For a child who finds a standard indoor playground overwhelming — too loud, too crowded, too fast — a sensory-friendly space can be the difference between a good outing and a meltdown. See also our guide to indoor play cafés in Surrey.
BC Autism Funding: Amounts and the 2027 Change
If your child has an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, BC’s Autism Funding Program provides money you direct toward services.
| Age | Maximum per year |
|---|---|
| Under 6 | $22,000 |
| 6 to 18 | $6,000 |
What it can pay for, under age 6: registered autism service providers and supervised behaviour interventionists, family counselling or therapy, and related administrative and employment costs.
What it can pay for, ages 6–18: behaviour consultants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists, life and social skills programs, out-of-school learning support and tutoring, family counselling, specialised camps and therapeutic activities, and dietary counselling.
Both age groups can put up to 20% of the funding toward travel, training and equipment.
Important 2026 note: the program is transitioning to a new structure. The Autism Funding Program continues unchanged and is accepting new applications until March 2027, and families will be notified about eligibility changes before that date. If your child has a diagnosis and you haven’t applied, don’t sit on it.
Autism Funding Unit: 1-877-777-3530 · MCF.AutismFundingUnit@gov.bc.ca. Funding is managed through the My Family Services portal.
Other Funding Worth Knowing About
- Extended health benefits — check both parents’ plans; coverage often stacks.
- At Home Program — provincial support for children with severe disabilities, covering some medical benefits and respite.
- Jordan’s Principle — for First Nations children, covers a broad range of health, social and educational supports.
- Disability Tax Credit — a federal tax credit that, once approved, can also unlock the Child Disability Benefit and an RDSP.
- School district supports — once your child is in school, some services move to the district at no cost.
When to Ask for an Assessment
There’s no prize for waiting. Early support is consistently more effective, and the waitlists mean an early call buys you months.
Reasonable reasons to raise it with your doctor or public health nurse:
- Your child isn’t meeting the milestones in their BC health record and you’ve noticed a gap widening
- Speech is hard for people outside the family to understand at an age when it usually isn’t
- Feeding, textures, noise or clothing cause distress out of proportion to the situation
- Motor skills — sitting, walking, stairs, holding a pencil — are lagging noticeably behind peers
- A daycare educator or preschool teacher raises a concern
- Your instinct says something’s up — parents are usually right that something is worth checking, even when they’re wrong about what
What not to do: don’t diagnose from the internet, and don’t let a “wait and see” answer be the end of it if your concern persists. Ask what specifically you should watch for and when you should come back — a good clinician will give you that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is speech therapy free in BC?
For preschoolers, often yes. Fraser Health provides free preschool speech development services for children aged 5 and under who live in the Fraser Health catchment area, and families can self-refer by calling a public health unit. Once a child is in school, speech-language support generally comes through the school district. Private therapy is paid, typically $120 to $180 a session.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for speech therapy in Surrey?
No. Fraser Health accepts self-referrals for preschool speech development services — you can phone a public health unit yourself. Professionals such as doctors, nurses and early childhood educators can also refer. Private clinics can be booked directly.
How much does private speech or occupational therapy cost in Surrey?
Roughly $120 to $180 for a 45 to 60 minute session, with initial assessments typically $200 to $400. Many workplace extended health plans cover a few hundred dollars a year per person, and both parents’ plans can often be combined.
How much is BC autism funding?
Up to $22,000 per year for a child under 6, and up to $6,000 per year for ages 6 to 18. Under 6 the money goes to registered autism service providers, behaviour interventionists and family counselling; from 6 to 18 it can also fund speech, occupational and physical therapy, tutoring, social skills programs and specialised camps. Up to 20% can go toward travel, training and equipment.
Is BC autism funding changing?
The program is transitioning to a new structure. It continues unchanged for now and is accepting new applications until March 2027, with families to be notified about eligibility changes before that date. If your child has a diagnosis, applying sooner rather than later is sensible.
What is a sensory gym and who is it for?
A sensory gym is a therapy space built around movement and sensory input — swings, crash pads, climbing equipment, tunnels and textures. Occupational therapists use them for motor planning, coordination, balance and self-regulation. Some also run sensory-friendly open play sessions, which suit children who find a standard indoor playground overwhelming.
Where can I get pediatric occupational therapy in Surrey?
Power To Empower Pediatric Therapy at Morgan Crossing in South Surrey offers occupational therapy, speech therapy and developmental support in a purpose-built sensory play gym. We Play Kids Sensory Gym, also in South Surrey, provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology in a play-based setting.
At what age should I be concerned about speech delay?
Rather than fixing on a single age, raise it whenever you notice a gap that isn’t closing, when people outside the family struggle to understand your child, or when a daycare educator flags something. Fraser Health’s free preschool service is available up to age 5 and accepts self-referrals, so the cost of asking early is nothing.
Does MSP cover occupational or speech therapy?
Generally not for private clinic services. Public services delivered through Fraser Health or a school district are free at point of use. Private therapy is paid out of pocket, extended health benefits, or dedicated funding such as the Autism Funding Program.
Related Guides for Surrey Parents
- Kids Health Care in Surrey, BC: Pediatricians, Walk-Ins & What MSP Covers
- Kids Dental Care in Surrey, BC (2026)
- Documents You Need After a Newborn in BC (2026)
- Indoor Play Cafés in Surrey, BC (2026)
- Browse all kids’ health care listings
Last updated: August 2026. Funding amounts and service details are sourced from the Province of British Columbia and Fraser Health, and may change. Private therapy costs are typical local ranges for planning purposes only. This guide is general information, not medical or clinical advice — speak with your doctor, nurse practitioner or public health nurse about your child.
