You will need a reliable internet connection, a desktop or laptop, video camera (built-in or external), a headset, and a quiet, distraction-free area for evaluations and therapy sessions.
WHY DON'T YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
We prefer to keep our focus on our clients' treatment rather than spend hours jumping through insurance hoops. It is extremely rare for insurance companies to provide coverage for treatment of developmental speech disorders (e.g. a child not producing speech sounds correctly). However, we do provide Superbills upon request to submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement requests. Download our Private Pay/Superbill information form here. Download our step-by-step out-of-network Insurance Checklist here.
What are speech sound disorders?
A child may be diagnosed with a speech sound disorder if he or she does not say sounds by the expected ages. Speech sound disorders include articulation disorder and phonological disorder. Your child may have a speech sound disorder if he or she substitutes one sound for another, leaves out sounds, or changes a sound. It may also be difficult for other to understand your child. An articulation disorder focuses on errors in the production of individual speech sounds. A phonological disorder is similar to an articulation disorder, however, it focuses on predictable, rule-based errors that affect multiple sounds.
While it is normal for children to pronounce sounds incorrectly (misarticulate) or demonstrate phonological error patterns while young and learning to speak, they should learn to produce them correctly as their speech develops. The age at which children are able to correctly produce or articulate speech sounds differs by speech sound. Refer to this speech development chart to see if your child is correctly articulating all of the sounds that he or she should be for his or her age and gender.
WHY SHOULD MY CHILD RECEIVE SPEECH THERAPY?
Seeking out and obtaining speech therapy for your child can increase his or her self-esteem, improve social interactions with peers and others, and increase oral participation in educational or ecclesiastical settings. Without intervention there can be lifelong consequences socially, emotionally, educationally, and occupationally. Don't "wait and see." Seeking intervention early is best!
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I SEEK A speech EVALUATION AND TREATMENT FOR MY CHILD?
As soon as you have concerns regarding how your child produces speech sounds! If your child does need speech-language therapy, beginning treatment sooner is better than later. Speech sound disorders also put a child at greater risk for literacy difficulties. For more on this relationship, click here.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL MY CHILD NEED?
Each child is an individual with his or her own severity level; each progresses at a different rate. Some children may require only six months of treatment while another may require two years of treatment. However, the more frequently you practice at home the faster your child will progress. Your child's progress will be closely tracked allowing us to determine his or her rate of progress and make changes to his or her individual program as needed. As the parent, you will be informed of your child's progress and any changes needed.