Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
How does the therapy process work?
In most cases, a parent or doctor will have concerns about a child's development. That person will then contact a therapist and schedule an appointment for a comprehensive assessment of speech, language, and/or feeding. If the child's performance on that assessment warrants ongoing therapy, it will be scheduled and begin.
Where does therapy occur?
Therapy always occurs in the child's natural environment, whether that is home, daycare, or school. This helps the child be more comfortable and get used to using their new skills "in the real world."
How often will my child have therapy?
Therapy frequency depends on your child's need. Typical frequencies include monthly, twice monthly, weekly, and twice weekly.
How long do therapy sessions last?
The length of the sessions depends on your child's need. Typical therapy duration is between 30 and 60 minutes.
How long will my child need therapy?
This depends on your child's diagnosis, and the severity of any condition they may have. Some children finish therapy in a few months, and others require several years of therapy before they are functioning more age-appropriately.
What, exactly, happens during therapy?
Therapy is typically play-based and encourages as much independent speech, language, and/or feeding practice as possible. Parents are encouraged to watch therapy sessions, provided it is not distracting to the child. Additionally, parents are always provided with a written record of each session with suggested home practice to be accomplished during the time between sessions.
How much does therapy cost?
Therapy rates are competitive, though the state of Illinois and many insurance policies cover services. Please contact Nancy with any specific insurance or cost questions.
Do you offer IEP advocacy services?
Yes. In addition to speech and feeding therapy, we now offer Parent Advocacy & IEP Support for school-aged kids. It is a separate, private-pay service for families working with their school district.
What happens if the school district is involved?
Once a child is in school, support is handled through the district's special-education process rather than Early Intervention — a different system with its own meetings, paperwork, and terminology that can be a lot to take in. We help you review your child's records, understand your rights, and prepare for IEP and 504 meetings.
My child has an IEP and I'm unsure about it. Can you help?
Yes. We help you walk in prepared instead of overwhelmed — reviewing the current plan, and helping you decide what to ask for. Please note that our advocates are not attorneys: we provide advocacy and support, not legal advice, and we cannot guarantee a particular outcome.
Where can I find your Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)?
Our practices are posted as a PDF document here.
What if I have additional questions?
Please contact Nancy and she will be happy to help!