Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a speech-language pathologist for your child is an important decision. You want someone who understands not only your child’s communication needs, but also who they are as a whole person.

Below are answers to some of the questions families commonly have about pediatric speech therapy, my approach, and what it means to work with a private-pay practice.

What ages do you work with?

I provide individualized speech and language therapy for children from early childhood through the school-age years

What types of communication needs do you treat?

I provide comprehensive pediatric speech and language services and treat a wide range of communication needs, including:

• Speech sound disorders and articulation

• Expressive and receptive language

• Language delays and disorders

• Social communication

• Motor speech disorders- Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

• Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• Speech-generating devices (SGD)

While I treat all areas of pediatric speech and language, I have a particular passion for Gestalt Language Processing, AAC and speech-generating devices, and Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Does my child need a diagnosis before starting speech therapy?

No.

You do not need to have a formal diagnosis or a referral in order to reach out. If you have concerns about your child's communication, an evaluation can help us better understand their strengths and areas of need.

My goal is to provide you with clarity and thoughtful recommendations—not simply a label

What happens during an evaluation?

An evaluation is an opportunity for me to get to know your child as a communicator.

Depending on your child's age and needs, the evaluation may include:

• A detailed parent interview

• Review of developmental and medical history

• Play-based observation

• Speech and language sampling

• Standardized and informal assessments

• Assessment of speech motor skills when appropriate

• AAC assessment when indicated

• Review of previous evaluations, reports, or therapy records

Most importantly, I want to understand how your child communicates in real life and what matters most to your family.

After the evaluation, we will review the findings together and discuss recommendations and next steps

Do you accept insurance?

I am a private-pay speech therapy practice and do not bill insurance directly.

Private-pay care allows me to provide individualized services without relying on insurance requirements to determine your child's treatment plan.

For families who have out-of-network benefits, I can provide documentation such as a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Coverage and reimbursement vary by plan, so I encourage families to contact their insurance provider directly for specific information about their benefits.

Why choose private-pay speech therapy?

Private-pay care allows our work together to be centered around your child—not an insurance diagnosis or predetermined treatment requirements.

It provides flexibility to develop goals based on your child's individual communication profile and your family's priorities. It also allows us to consider the broader picture of communication, including skills and goals that may not always fit neatly into an insurance model.

My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized care with the time and attention your child deserves.

What does a typical therapy session look like?

No two children are exactly alike, so no two therapy sessions are exactly alike.

Sessions may include play, books, movement, conversation, structured activities, routines, or activities built around your child's interests.

Therapy should be purposeful, but it should also feel engaging and meaningful. I strive to create a space where children feel comfortable being themselves while building skills that have a real impact on their everyday lives.

Will I be involved in my child's therapy?

Parent coaching and collaboration may include modeling strategies, discussing communication opportunities within everyday routines, and identifying practical ways to support progress at home.

Parents may remain in the therapy space during their child’s session, though this is not necessary and is preference based. At the end of each session, SLP will discuss progress and recommendations to target at home.

How often will my child need therapy?

There is no universal schedule that works for every child.

Frequency is determined based on your child's individual needs, goals, age, response to therapy, and your family's priorities and availability. Therapy could be as infrequent at 1x/ every other week to 2-3x per week.

After the evaluation, I will provide individualized recommendations and we can determine a plan that feels appropriate for your child and what works best with you.

Can my child receive private speech therapy while also receiving services through school?

Yes.

Private and school-based speech therapy can complement one another. School-based services generally focus on communication needs related to your child's educational access, while private therapy can provide additional individualized support outside of the school setting.

When appropriate and with your permission, collaboration with your child's school team can help create greater consistency across environments.

Do you collaborate with other professionals?

Yes. Children are often supported by a team of professionals, and thoughtful collaboration can be incredibly valuable.

With your consent, I can communicate with other providers involved in your child's care when collaboration would support continuity and progress.

What can I expect from working with you?

You can expect individualized care, thoughtful clinical decision-making, open communication, and a genuine investment in your child's progress.

I believe children deserve therapy that recognizes their strengths, respects their individuality, and supports them in becoming confident communicators.

Whether your child is finding their first words, learning to use an AAC device, navigating Gestalt Language Processing, working through a motor speech disorder, or developing clearer and more effective speech, we will start where your child is and build from there

Do you work with children who use AAC or speech-generating devices?

Yes. AAC is an area I am particularly passionate about.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication can include speech-generating devices, communication apps, picture-based systems, gestures, signs, and other methods of supporting communication.

I believe every child deserves access to a reliable way to communicate their wants, needs, thoughts, feelings, ideas, and personality.

Will AAC stop my child from learning to speak?

No. AAC does not prevent speech development.

AAC provides children with an additional way to communicate while spoken language develops and can reduce the frustration that comes from not being able to express themselves.

For some children, AAC may become their primary communication method; for others, it may complement developing speech. The goal is not to replace speech—it is to ensure that your child has a voice.

My child has a speech-generating device but rarely uses it. Can you help?

Absolutely.

When a child is not using their device, I want to understand why rather than simply encouraging them to use it more.

We may look at the device itself, vocabulary, access, motor planning, communication opportunities, modeling, and the ways communication is supported at home and in other environments.

Caregiver coaching and communication-partner support are an important part of helping AAC become a natural part of everyday life.

Do you specialize in Childhood Apraxia of Speech?

Yes. Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is one of my preferred areas of practice.

CAS is a motor speech disorder that affects a child's ability to plan and sequence the movements needed for speech. Therapy requires a specialized approach that addresses speech motor planning and movement patterns.

If you have concerns about your child's speech development, a comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether their profile is consistent with CAS or another speech sound or motor speech disorder

Ready to take the next step?

If you have questions about your child's communication or are wondering whether speech therapy may be a good fit, I would love to connect.

Reach out to schedule a consultation and learn more about how individualized speech therapy can support your child and family.