Do you accept insurance?

SG Speech Therapy provides private pay speech and language therapy services. At this time, we are not in network with any insurance plans. This ensures we are solely focused on your child's needs. We are happy to provide you with the paperwork needed for you to seek possible out-of-network reimbursement from your insurance company. Please speak with your insurance company directly to discuss your specific plan's coverage and reimbursement policies for out-of-network services.

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My two-year old appears delayed in speech-language development, but my pediatrician says he/she is probably just a late talker and will talk within a year or so. Should I do something now, or wait and see?

The “wait and see” method is an outdated approach and is not supported by research- but early intervention is! While it is true children show some variation in when they achieve early language milestones, it also is true that a skilled speech-language pathologist can usually identify children who are more at risk for persistent delays, or who are showing signs of more deviant speech language development (sometimes associated with other developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder). The earlier these children are identified, the sooner they can take advantage of intensive early intervention programs, and potentially eliminate the gap in their language development so that it does not widen further. In our professional opinion, we recommend the “check and see” versus the “wait and see” method. Research has found that delaying treatment can have significant implications, such as impacting early socializing and school readiness. Some children may just be late talkers and can catch up with their peers, but it is difficult to identify who will and who will not. If a later talker is identified before 18 months of age, and they receive intervention, research has shown they are much more likely to catch up to their peers. If you have any concerns about your child’s early language development, please reach out to us or call a professional. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your child the help and support that they need.

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How do I know if my child needs speech/language therapy?

Your child may also benefit from speech/language therapy if you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions:

• Is your child behind in meeting speech and language milestones?



• Does your child have difficulty saying certain sounds past the expected age?



• Do you or others have difficulty understanding your child?



• Is your child having difficulty understanding what is being said or following directions?



• Does your child avoid social interacting or have difficulty interacting with peers?



• Is your child struggling with reading and/or writing?



• Is there a family history of speech and/or language disorders?



• Does your child have another condition that puts her/him at risk for a speech/language disorder, such as a genetic disorder or Autism Spectrum disorder?



Here are some general guidelines:



• First Words by 12-15 months



• Frequent Two-Word Combinations Heard by 21-24 months



• Frequent Three-Word Combinations Heard by 36 months



• Intelligible speech in conversation 90% of the time by age 4 years



• Grammatically complete sentences most of the time by kindergarten age

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 How long will therapy take?

This is the most common question that I am asked by families, and the truth is, us as SLPs wish we knew the answer too!  While I wish there was a concrete answer that I could provide, the length of therapy is highly individualized and based on a number of different factors including: severity of disorder, responsiveness to therapy, child and family motivation, relevant history, and the implementation of practice and carryover at home. 

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 What is Myofunctional Therapy? Is it different from Speech Therapy?

Myo= muscle Functional= function Therapy

It's about neuromuscular re-education of the oral and facial muscles as they relate to speech, dentition, chewing, swallowing and overall mental and physical health. Myofunctional therapy encompasses functional exercises, based on principles of neuroplasticity addressing breathing, chewing & swallowing, to help rewire the brain so orofacial muscles function properly and rest in the correct position. Speech Pathologists with specialized training provide treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs). Myofunctional Therapy takes on a collaborative approach, working with medical professionals (ENTs, Allergists, Dentists, Orthodontists, Bodyworkers (Chiropractors, Cranial Sacral Therapists, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists) to promote overall health and well being.

Here are some resources to provide you with more information regarding orofacial myofunctional disorders and myofunctional therapy:

www.myofunctionaltherapyla.com

aomtinfo.org/myofunctional-therapy/

www.myofunctionaltherapy.blogspot.com

www.orofacialmyology.com

www.asha.org

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How do I know if I will benefit from myofunctional therapy?

Do you or your child struggle with any of the following:

• Mouth breathing

• Snoring/sleep apnea

• Misaligned teeth

• Open bite or front teeth that stick out

• Teeth grinding/clenching

• Stubborn speech issues, especially lisps and /r/

• Tongue thrust

• Atypical tongue placement/tongue protrustion

• Chewing with the lips open

• Oral habits (thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, nail-biting)

• Jaw pain and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

• Neck/Shoulder tension and pain

• Headaches

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Is an evaluation required prior to services?

All new clients must be evaluated prior to treatment unless an evaluation has occurred in the last four months in the areas of concern. Evaluations are a critical part of the treatment process as they allow us to determine the underlying cause and guide us towards creating an appropriate and up-to-date plan of care.

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What are some resources that can provide us with more information?

ASHA
Early identification of speech, language, and hearing disorders (Evaluation by a Speech-Language Pathologist will help determine whether your child is delayed or has challenges in any of these areas)

ASHA
Speech and language milestones

CDC
CDC’s developmental milestones

ASHA
A collective resource of norms for speech-language development

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Resources
aomtinfo.org/myofunctional-therapy/
www.myofunctionaltherapyla.com

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