FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about speech therapy
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WHY do i / MY CHILD need(S) private speech therapY?
- To supplement the services they are receiving at school - therapy outside of the school environment maximizes their potential for success
- For the individualized treatment and attention that a small private practice can offer, providing more specialized care for the client
- Because therapy at school often does not involve the parent or caregivers. Speech Starts HEAR focuses on guiding and coaching the caregivers empowering them with the necessary knowledge, ability, and confidence to help their children achieve their full communication potentials. Involving the caregivers helps to promote carryover of skills and generalization outside of the school setting leading to more rapid rate of progress.
- Because the child may have been evaluated by the school system, but was not eligible for speech and language services at school. Having a speech and/or language disorder does not always mean that a child will qualify for services, but this doesn't mean that they don't need help. Sometimes there is a need, but the school district is unable to meet that need because of state eligibility criteria.
- Because the child and/or family may not want the child to be pulled out of class for therapy during school hours missing crucial academic classes.
- Because private speech therapy allows for flexibility when it comes to scheduling appointments.
- For a private, intimate environment if a child may be embarrassed to receive speech therapy at school
- Because in private therapy, the client, family, and therapist have the flexibility to prioritize goals that are important to the client and family.
- To work with a specialist who has devoted their career to becoming certified and trained in a specific area of need. Speech Starts HEAR specializes in working with children with hearing loss and therapy is provided by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist in Auditory Verbal Therapy.
I'm not sure if I / my child need(s) speech therapy. What do I do?
- If you're on the fence about speech therapy, it can't hurt to schedule a complimentary consultation with us! We offer a 20 minute phone or video consultation free of charge to collect case history information, answer any questions you may have, and to determine if services are necessary.
what is the difference between auditory verbal therapy and speech therapy?
- Auditory Verbal Therapy is a specialized therapy for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who are pursuing a listening and spoken language communication approach. Auditory Verbal Therapy is centered around guidance, coaching, education, and advocacy with an emphasis on family involvement. It involves specific auditory verbal therapy strategies and techniques to help develop listening and spoken language skills. Auditory Verbal Therapy is provided by a certified Listening and Spoken Language Specalist in Auditory Verbal Therapy (LSLS cert. AVT) or by a certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist in Auditory Verbal Education (LSLS cert. AVEd).
- Speech Therapy is therapy for any individual with a speech-language disorder. Speech therapy involves assessing, diagnosing, and treating speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech therapy is provided by a licensed and board certified Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP)
what are your fees? Do you take insurance?
- We accept plans under Independence Blue Cross including, but not limited to:
- Amerihealth
- Keystone 65
- Keystone Health Plan East
- Personal Choice
- Others
- We accept Medicare PA
- We accept plans under Cigna including, but not limited to:
- Open Access Plus, OA Plus, ChoiceFund OA Plus
- Open Access Plus, OA Plus, ChoiceFund OA Plus with CareLink
- PPO, Choice Fund PPO
- Others
- We accept plans under OPTUM Health Care Solutions (United Healthcare)
- We are a certified provider of Tricare East - Humana Military
- We offer superbills for insurance reimbursement for clients out of network.
- We are confident our private pay rates for speech therapy are affordable and reasonable.
- We also offer a prompt pay and cash discount.
- Please contact us for fee schedules.
- We provide GOOD FAITH ESTIMATES of expected charges to all self-pay clients so there are no surprises upon scheduling.
Do I need a referral from my Doctor for services?
- Well.. this depends! If you are paying privately for speech therapy and not seeking insurance reimbursement, no, you do not need a referral. However, if you are going through insurance, you may need a referral from your doctor depending on your insurance plan.
What ages do you work with?
- Birth to adults
- Speech Starts HEAR works with adults for aural rehabilitation (hearing related disorders) only
Are you able to consult with my child's teacher/therapist? Can you participate in iep meetings?
- Yes, absolutely! We strongly encourage collaboration amongst all team members working with your child. Consultation helps ensure consistency when it comes to strategies and techniques. A consent to release information form must completed prior to us being in contact with another service provider. Any phone consultations with team members are free of charge! (~20 minutes). Speech Starts HEAR also offers formal consultations either virtually or in-person. Please contact us for formal consultation pricing.
- Yes, we are more than happy to attend any IEP meetings when invited! Speech Starts HEAR offers IEP consultations to review/explain the IEP, check goals, help prepare you for meetings, and can attend meetings with the client. Please contact us for IEP consultation pricing.
how long are speech therapy sessions?
- Articulation Screenings are typically 30 minutes.
- Formal articulation evaluations are typically 1 hour.
- Formal comprehensive auditory, speech, language, and/or literacy evaluations are typically 1 hour and 30 minutes for the first session and may require additional 1 hour testing sessions.
- Therapy sessions are either 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or 1 hour
- Duration and frequency of sessions depends on the individual needs of each client
Where are you located?
- Speech Starts HEAR is a traveling speech therapy practice. We come to your home! We travel to the greater Philadelphia area and parts of New Jersey. We also provide services remotely via teletherapy. We are licensed to practice in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California.