๐Ÿ“ž (949) 414-5526

๐Ÿ’ฌ Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

๐Ÿง  Getting Started with Therapy

Your child will be gently evaluated through play-based activities to assess their speech and language skills. We'll also discuss your concerns and goals.
No referral is required. You can reach out directly to us to begin the process.
Evaluations typically last 45โ€“60 minutes, allowing us ample time for a thorough assessment and to answer your questions.
Yes, both parents are welcome and encouraged to attend the consultation. It's helpful for everyone to be on the same page.
Absolutely! Feel free to call us at (949) 414-5526 or email us at [email protected] with any questions before booking an evaluation.
Yes, we offer complimentary screenings to help determine if a full evaluation is needed. It's a great first step if you have concerns.
All necessary intake forms are provided electronically through our secure client portal prior to your first appointment.
Let them know it will be a fun session where they get to play games and talk with a friendly new person. Keep it positive and low-pressure.
Start with a free screening. Itโ€™s a no-obligation way to discuss your concerns with a speech therapist and determine if an evaluation is recommended.
Itโ€™s never too early to address concerns. We often begin seeing children around 18โ€“24 months, but can provide guidance for even younger children.
Yes! We specialize in working with toddlers and early communicators, using play-based and engaging methods.
Yes, we offer virtual (teletherapy) evaluations and sessions depending on the childโ€™s age, needs, and attention skills. We can discuss if this is a good fit for your family.
Our therapists are experienced in working with children of all temperaments. We use a gentle, play-based approach to build comfort and trust.
Yes, we can review outside evaluations and provide our own professional assessment and recommendations.
We support multilingual families and can provide culturally responsive care. We can discuss strategies for supporting all languages spoken at home.
Just your child! If you have any previous reports or notes from other specialists or teachers, those can be helpful, but are not required.
Youโ€™ll receive a comprehensive written report detailing the findings, our recommendations, and a personalized therapy plan if intervention is warranted.
We strive to accommodate new clients as quickly as possible, typically within 1โ€“2 weeks. Please contact us for current availability.

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Speech & Language Development

Most children say their first meaningful words around 12 months of age, but there is a range. If you have concerns, it's best to seek a consultation.
By age 2, children typically use 50 or more words and often begin combining two words into simple phrases (e.g., 'mommy up,' 'more juice').
Speech refers to how we say sounds and words (articulation, voice, fluency). Language refers to how we understand and use words to convey ideas (vocabulary, grammar, social use of language).
Receptive language is the ability to understand words, sentences, questions, and directions spoken by others.
Expressive language involves using words, gestures, and sentences to communicate thoughts, needs, and ideas to others.
Occasional disfluencies (repeating sounds or words) can be normal as children develop language. However, consistent stuttering or stuttering accompanied by physical tension may benefit from an early evaluation.
Yes, hearing is critical for speech and language development. If there are concerns, a hearing test is often recommended as part of a comprehensive evaluation.
A speech sound disorder involves difficulty producing specific speech sounds (e.g., saying 'wabbit' for 'rabbit'), which can affect the clarity (intelligibility) of speech.
Yes! We support bilingual language development. Therapy can help differentiate between a true speech/language delay and typical patterns of bilingual language acquisition.
Excessive passive screen time can limit opportunities for real-world interaction, which is critical for language development. We encourage interactive communication and play.
Yes, we support children with selective mutism or social communication differences in a safe, gentle, and systematic manner to help them feel comfortable communicating in more settings.
Intelligibility refers to how understandable your childโ€™s speech is to others. For example, by age 3, most children should be approximately 75% intelligible to unfamiliar listeners.
Yes, speech therapy plays a key role in developing social communication skills like turn-taking, understanding non-verbal cues, initiating and maintaining conversations, and perspective-taking.
Absolutely! Gestures like pointing, waving, and nodding are a vital part of early communication development and are encouraged.
This is a normal part of bilingual language development, known as 'code-mixing' or 'code-switching.' It typically resolves or becomes more controlled as overall language skills grow in both languages.
By age 3, many children are forming 3โ€“4 word sentences and asking simple 'what' and 'where' questions. There's a range, but if you have concerns, an evaluation is a good idea.
Play is a child's natural learning environment! We use play-based approaches to foster vocabulary, turn-taking, sentence structure, problem-solving, and expressive language in a fun and motivating way.
Autistic children often have differences in speech, language development, or social communication. We provide tailored support to help them develop functional communication skills and thrive.
While some late talkers catch up on their own, many benefit from early support. Early intervention can prevent further delays and build a strong foundation for future language, literacy, and social skills.

๐Ÿงพ Billing & Insurance

We are an out-of-network provider. This means payment is due at the time of service. We provide you with a 'superbill' (a detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.
A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes specific codes for the services provided (CPT codes), diagnosis codes (ICD-10 codes), our provider information, and the costs. You use this to seek reimbursement from your insurance.
You'll typically need to contact your insurance provider (call the member services number on your card or visit their website) and follow their process for submitting out-of-network claims. They will guide you on where to send the superbill.
Yes, we can discuss flexible payment plan options depending on your familyโ€™s needs. Please contact our office to learn more.
Yes, we accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards as valid forms of payment for eligible therapy services.
We accept all major credit cards, checks, cash, and HSA/FSA cards.
No, we do not bill insurance companies directly as we are an out-of-network provider. Payment is made to us, and you then seek reimbursement from your insurer using the superbill we provide.
Our fees vary depending on the type of service (evaluation, individual therapy session length, etc.). Please contact us for a current fee schedule or a personalized quote.
Our initial phone consultations and brief screenings are complimentary. A fee is charged for comprehensive evaluations and ongoing therapy sessions.
Our therapy fees typically include individualized session planning, direct therapy time with your child, materials used during the session, and regular parent communication and brief updates.
No, our pricing is transparent. All fees will be discussed with you upfront. There are no hidden charges.
We may occasionally offer multi-session packages at a discounted rate. Please inquire if this is something you are interested in.
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session to avoid a late cancellation fee. This allows us to offer the time slot to another family.
No, we do not charge any initial registration or administrative setup fees.
Coverage for out-of-network speech therapy benefits varies greatly depending on your specific insurance plan, diagnosis codes, and policy limitations. We strongly recommend calling your insurance provider directly to understand your benefits before starting therapy.
Yes, we can provide itemized invoices or statements (superbills) that you can use for tax purposes or for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA accounts.
Billing typically occurs at the time of service, or on a weekly or monthly basis depending on your preference and the services provided. This will be discussed with you.
Yes! Our HIPAA-compliant client portal allows for secure online payments for your convenience.
Please don't hesitate to call or email our office any time. Weโ€™re happy to walk through your statement, explain charges, or discuss payment options.

๐Ÿง’ During & After Therapy

The frequency of therapy (e.g., 1-2 times per week) is determined based on your childโ€™s individual needs, goals, and the therapist's recommendations after the evaluation. We'll tailor a plan that's best for your child.
Generally, just themselves and a willingness to play and learn! If anything specific is needed for a particular session or activity (like a favorite toy for motivation), your therapist will let you know in advance.
Sessions are play-based, engaging, and goal-oriented. Your therapist will use carefully selected toys, games, and activities to target your childโ€™s specific speech and language goals in a fun and motivating way.
We prioritize parent communication! Your therapist will provide regular updates, often at the end of each session, as well as session notes and ideas for home activities through our client portal or email.
We often provide fun, manageable activities or strategies ('home practice') to help reinforce the skills learned in therapy. This helps generalize progress to everyday situations.
We always meet your child where they are. Our therapists are skilled at adapting sessions to fit your childโ€™s mood and energy level, using flexible approaches to keep them engaged.
Progress is measured through ongoing data collection during sessions, observations, achieving specific goals, and regular re-assessments or progress reports. We'll keep you informed every step of the way.
The duration of therapy varies greatly depending on the child's needs, the complexity of their goals, consistency of attendance, and home practice. Some children benefit from short-term support, while others may need ongoing services. We'll reassess regularly and discuss this with you.
Absolutely. Your childโ€™s comfort and the therapeutic relationship are top priorities. If you feel a change is needed, please discuss it with us, and we'll do our best to make adjustments.
Yes! We strive for consistency and believe in the importance of building a strong relationship between your child and their therapist. You will be assigned a primary therapist.
Parent involvement is highly encouraged! Depending on the child and therapy goals, this might involve observing sessions, participating directly, or receiving coaching and feedback to implement strategies at home.
It's not uncommon for some children to be hesitant initially. Many children warm up quickly once they experience our play-based approach. We use child-friendly strategies to build trust and cooperation. Please discuss any ongoing concerns with your therapist.
We target social communication skills through structured play, role-playing, and activities focusing on turn-taking, perspective-taking, understanding social cues, initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact (if appropriate for the child), and more.
While some children do make progress on their own, others require direct intervention to catch up. Early support generally leads to better outcomes and can prevent potential academic or social challenges later on.
Yes, with your written permission, we are happy to collaborate with teachers, pediatricians, occupational therapists, or other professionals involved in your childโ€™s care to ensure consistent support across environments.
To ensure the session is focused on your child receiving services, we generally recommend that siblings do not attend. However, we understand childcare can be challenging. If a sibling needs to be present occasionally, please discuss it with your therapist in advance.
Your therapist will provide specific strategies, tips, and simple games or activities to incorporate into your daily routines. Consistent, positive reinforcement of skills at home makes a big difference!
When your child meets their goals, weโ€™ll review their progress with you, discuss a plan for discharge, and provide home tools and strategies for continued growth and maintenance of skills.

๐Ÿ“ Clinic Policies & Logistics

Yes, we offer free and convenient parking right outside our clinic building.
We offer flexible scheduling Monday through Friday, with some availability on Saturdays. We have after-school appointments available. Please contact us to discuss specific scheduling needs.
Yes, you can reschedule a session. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to avoid a late cancellation fee. Please contact our office as soon as possible to make arrangements.
We follow current local health guidelines and prioritize the safety of your family and our staff. Please check with our office for the most up-to-date policies regarding health precautions.
Yes, our clinic space is fully wheelchair accessible to accommodate all families.
We are conveniently located at 1442 Irvine Blvd., Suite 122, Tustin, CA 92780.
You can call us at (949) 414-5526, email us at [email protected], or use the contact form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!