Helpful Information

At this time, Speechie Auntie is not in-network with any insurance plans. As licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologists, we choose to work in our clients' best interests rather than following insurance company guidelines. The only person who should decide whether speech therapy is necessary and how long treatment should take is a licensed, certified Speech-Language Pathologist, not your insurance provider. At the conclusion of each session, Speechie Auntie will provide a superbill upon request, which families can submit directly to their insurance company for potential reimbursement. We do not interface with insurance providers on behalf of families.

We accept cash, checks, debit cards, and all major credit cards as payment methods. The majority of services can also be paid for using health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Payment is due when services are rendered. Regardless of the mode of payment, a credit card must be kept on file. For our rates, kindly get in touch with us directly.

We offer 45-minute sessions in which the child receives 35–40 minutes of one-on-one time, and the remaining 5–10 minutes are reserved for discussing the child's performance, education, and consultation. Longer 60-minute sessions can be scheduled based on need and availability.

One of the most crucial aspects of treatment is consistent attendance. Since each therapy session builds on the one before it, it is critical to attend all scheduled sessions in order to see progress. With that being said, Speechie Auntie does recognize that illnesses and emergencies arise, but we respectfully ask that you avoid frequent cancellations or "no shows." To avoid a fee, we require cancellations with at least 24 hours notice. If there will be a cancellation due to an appointment conflict, vacation, work or family obligation, or any other reason, please give us advance notice. To reduce any disruptions to care, we can offer teletherapy sessions in place of in-person visits whenever possible.

Referrals are not required for private pay speech and language therapy. Please confirm with your insurance provider whether a physician referral is necessary for reimbursement if you plan to submit a superbill. If required, you can obtain a referral from your pediatrician.

Yes, an evaluation is required prior to services being rendered. This helps guide our treatment goals, therapy approach, and session frequency to help obtain the best treatment outcomes. Speechie Auntie is willing to accept outside evaluations that were completed within the last six months.

We usually recommend a comprehensive speech and language evaluation every six to twelve months, depending on the child's age and language level. This enables us to document progress, re-evaluate goals, and modify our treatment plan accordingly.

As much as Speechie Auntie would like to provide families with an answer to this question, the reality is that there are a lot of variables to consider before even making an educated guess. Just as children develop and reach milestones at different times, children advance with their communication skills at different rates. By holding speech therapy sessions in your child's natural setting, faster carry-over is possible. This will reduce the length of time your child needs to attend speech therapy.

The frequency and duration of speech therapy services offered through early intervention programs are often determined by staff availability rather than your child's needs which ultimately hinders progress. School speech therapy is often offered to children in a group with varying disorders and for limited amounts of time. Progress tends to be slow in such a model. In private practice, sessions are one-on-one and entirely tailored to meet the needs of the client. Progress tends to be faster in such a personalized model.

The differences between speech and language delays can be challenging for untrained professionals to distinguish. The physical act of producing sounds and uttering words is called speech. A child with a speech delay is difficult to understand. A child experiencing a language delay has challenges with understanding words and putting words together to form meaning. Some children can have both speech and language delays. Distinguishing between the two is important as it will inform treatment decisions.

Play-based therapy is when a Speech-Language Pathologist focuses on a child's speech and language goals using engaging toys and activities that align with the child's interests. A child's most familiar mode of expression is through play. Play therapy is much more than regular playtime, despite the appearance of it being so. You can truly hold a child's interest and create memories with play-based therapy that go beyond the therapy session. These memorable experiences support learning and retention.

Our ability to communicate is fundamental to who we are as people. It is essential to our capacity for learning and day-to-day functioning. A "wait and see" approach merely postpones treatment, which for a child who might need it, could have a large impact. The brain is most malleable in the first five years of life. Accordingly, research demonstrates how critical it is to begin intervention as soon as possible. The sooner you seek assistance for your child, the better the outcomes will be.

There is a long-standing myth that children who speak multiple languages experience delays. Recent studies have debunked this myth. If a multilingual child has a speech and language delay, it will show up in all languages. These delays are not the result of learning multiple languages. Multilingualism should never be used as an explanation for a speech or language disorder. Speechie Auntie encourages families to speak to their child in their mother tongue at home. Speaking your mother tongue with your child at home has many benefits for your child including improved cognitive development, a stronger connection to their ancestry, and broader travel and career opportunities.