Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect during our first meeting?
Prior to meeting in person, we will discuss the concerns you have about your child's communication over the phone. This information will help me to plan the evaluation. I will also direct you to the necessary online intake forms to be completed and returned prior to the evaluation session. During the evaluation, I will conduct a caregiver interview to gather relevant information about your child's communication and overall development. I will also observe and interact with your child to gain an understanding of his or her general communication skills and areas of difficulty. If a formal evaluation is indicated at that time, I will administer one or more tests to aid in the development of treatment goals and objectives. By the end of the evaluation session, you can expect to know if treatment is needed; if so, we will discuss the frequency and length of therapy, and schedule the first session. A comprehensive written report and plan of care will be provided within two weeks of the assessment.
How long does a therapy session last and how often will they be?
Session length and frequency are determined by several factors, such as the age of your child, type and severity of diagnosis, ability to attend to therapy activities, etc. Typically, younger children benefit from shorter, more frequent sessions (e.g. 30-minute sessions twice a week), whereas older children may do fine with longer, less-frequent intervention (e.g. 45-60 minute sessions once a week) with home practice in between. Rest assured that we will work to structure a therapy schedule that works best for your schedule and your child's individual needs.
How long will my child need therapy?
Duration of therapy is dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, type and level of impairment, family support and involvement, motivation, attention, consistency in attendance and application of therapy recommendations. Children progress at different rates, and the duration of services will be determined on an individual basis.
What is the difference between your services and the services my child is receiving at school?
Both school-based services and private services are provided by licensed and certified speech-language pathologists, and both are designed to meet your child's individual needs. However, school-based services rely on federal funding, and, as such, eligibility is limited to children whose impairments have a demonstrable negative impact on their educational progress; this determination is typically highly dependent upon standardized test scores. Therapy is usually conducted in group settings, and frequency is often limited due to high caseloads. Many children fall through the cracks due to limitations in educational funding and stringent eligibility requirements.
Private speech-language therapy does not require the same educational eligibility requirements. Even if your child does not qualify for school-based services, we can serve them to ensure their needs are being addressed. Additionally, if your child is receiving school services but you feel it just isn't enough to meet their needs, we can provide additional therapy to maximize their potential in achieving their goals. Our sessions are always conducted one-on-one, with few distractions, in a comfortable and personal environment, and we have the benefit of offering in-person feedback and recommendations to caregivers during and after each therapy session.
If my child has had a recent evaluation, do I have to repeat the evaluation process with you?
Not necessarily. It depends on how recently the evaluation was conducted, as well as how accurate the findings and goals match up with the child's current level of functioning. If your child was evaluated 6 months ago or less, and the results and recommendations accurately reflect your child's current needs and level of function, we can jump right in and get started with therapy.
Do you take insurance?
We are excited to be a provider for BCBS of Alabama, as well as Alabama Medicaid. If you have coverage under a different insurance company, we will be happy to provide superbills for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement of therapy services. We can also provide you with a guide containing questions to ask your insurance provider to help you navigate this process. Please note that it is ultimately YOUR responsibility to communicate with your health care plan administrator, prior to initiation of therapy, to determine if your plan covers speech-language therapy services. You may also be eligible to use funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for services. We accept both types of payment cards.
If you do not have insurance coverage, or if your plan does not cover speech therapy, we offer private pay services. The benefit of private pay is that we are able to provide quality services without third-party limitations. As such, we can serve your child without a doctor's referral, prior authorization, educational test score, or insurance coverage. We are not bound by any requirements to terminate services after a pre-determined number of sessions, and we are not limited by certain diagnostic and/or treatment codes to ensure service coverage.