Questions Parents Ask Before Speech Therapy
The short answer is often “it depends”—but you still deserve an explanation of what it depends on.
How do I know if my child actually needs speech therapy?
You do not need to make that decision before scheduling an evaluation. The evaluation is meant to determine whether the concern fits normal developmental variation, should be monitored, or is likely to benefit from therapy or another referral.
My family says another relative didn't talk until age 3 or 4 and turned out fine. Should I wait?
Some late talkers do catch up, but family anecdotes cannot predict which individual child will do so. Clinicians consider comprehension, gestures, vocabulary growth, word combinations, speech sounds, play, family history, and other developmental factors when making recommendations.
If my toddler understands everything, can they still have a language delay?
Yes. Understanding can be a strength while expressive language is still delayed. Strong comprehension is encouraging, but it is only one part of the communication profile.
Does learning two languages cause speech delay?
No. ASHA states that multilingualism does not cause or worsen a speech or language problem. Evaluation should consider the child's skills and exposure across languages.
How do I know whether my child's stuttering is normal?
Typical disfluency can occur during development. Sound or syllable repetitions, prolongations, blocks, tension, avoidance, frustration, family history, and the child's reaction are among the factors considered during a fluency evaluation.
Should I tell my child who stutters to slow down?
Repeated correction can increase attention and tension around speech. ASHA recommends focusing on the child's message and allowing them to continue rather than interrupting to correct them.
What happens during an evaluation?
We start with your concerns and history, observe communication, use targeted formal and informal measures as appropriate, discuss findings, and provide individualized next steps. The exact process depends on age and the presenting concern.
Does an evaluation mean we have to start therapy?
No. Possible recommendations can include therapy, monitoring, parent strategies, another referral, or reassurance with specific things to watch.
What ages do you see?
Playdate works with toddlers through adults and specializes in toddlers through teens.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Playdate Speech Therapy is in-network with UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Alliance Health, WellCare, Carolina Complete Health, and Healthy Blue Medicaid. Coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan.
Do I need a referral or prior authorization?
That depends on your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral or prior authorization for evaluation or treatment. If prior authorization is required, our office can help with that process.
What if my plan is out of network?
We can provide a superbill with applicable diagnostic and treatment codes for families who wish to seek possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance plan and is not guaranteed. See our Insurance & Payment page for more information.
Do I need to know what diagnosis my child has before contacting you?
No. Tell us what you are noticing. A parent observation such as “other people can't understand her” or “he gets stuck when talking” is enough to start a conversation.