Helpful Information ABOUT WORKING WITH CAN SPEAK THERAPY

Yes! Can Speak Therapy is currently in network with the following commercial insurance plans:

• Aetna

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Cigna

Can Speak Therapy will verify client's benefits as a courtesy to you. Quoted benefits are not a guarantee of benefits, and the client is ultimately responsible for verifying their own insurance benefits. Clients are also responsible for tracking any visit limits, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits. While we make every effort to get each child covered for the services we feel are necessary, we cannot guarantee insurance coverage. If Can Speak Therapy is out of network with an insurance company and a client would like to submit a claim for out-of-network benefits, payment for the visit is expected at the time of service. We are happy to provide invoices or any other documentation that may be required for you to request reimbursement of payments from your insurance provider.

Not all services provided by Can Speak Therapy are covered by insurance. Our group classes, meetings, consultations, additional reports, and paperwork are not covered services and will not be billed to private insurers.

Regular attendance, open communication with the therapist, and consistent practice at home are key to a child's success in speech therapy. A minimum of twenty-four (24) hours' notice is requested for cancellations and rescheduling requests. This allows us to adjust our schedule and offer the missed slot to other clients. We understand, however, that illnesses and emergencies happen suddenly and may require a last-minute notification. To ensure everyone's health and well-being, we kindly ask that your child not attend speech sessions when sick.

In the best interest of your child, please try to reschedule an appointment if a cancellation is required. If a client misses multiple sessions without explanation or attempts to reschedule, the patient may be removed from the schedule.

Our clinic is conveniently located in Metuchen, N.J. Services at home or in the community may be offered on a case-by-case basis.

Yes! The intake/evaluation process is crucial in helping our therapists garner a better understanding of your child. They will assess what your child’s strengths are, what they need to work on, and which areas of development they should focus more time on. During the process, a speech therapist will interact with your child through play or movement activities. This will help our therapists understand communication skills in a more natural context. If your child is able, the therapist may also administer a standardized speech assessment to formally evaluate their skills in your area of concern. Once the assessment process is complete, we will create a highly individualized plan of care to address your child’s needs.

We work with all parents/guardians to take the time needed to answer any questions during the process in a very safe and supportive environment!

The frequency of services is determined by the individual client's needs and progress. Typically, clients attend therapy 1-2 times per week for 30 minutes each session. The therapist will work with you to develop a schedule that is appropriate for your child's needs.

Speech therapy can take anywhere from months to even years. It is important to remember that every child progresses at their own pace. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how long speech therapy will take. Several factors influence the duration of therapy, including the severity of the speech delay, the child's age, and their own individual learning style. Another significant factor is family participation in implementing home practice.

During therapy, parents are welcome to wait in the waiting room or have one caregiver observe the session. We ask that siblings not join the session unless otherwise agreed upon with your therapist. If a child is to be picked up by someone other than their parent/guardian or emergency contact, Can Speak Therapy must be notified. Parents/caregivers must be prompt in picking up their child and should arrive 10 minutes before the session ends.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances happen, but unfortunately, we can't extend therapy sessions for late arrivals. We have other clients and groups scheduled throughout the day, and we need to stick to the schedule to ensure everyone gets the time they need.

Speech refers to how we use our tongue, lips, and mouth to produce sounds. If your child is having trouble with speech, they may understand what’s being said to them, but others may not understand what they are saying. Language, on the other hand, refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and communicate our needs. It includes vocabulary, sentence structure, and pragmatics (social language). If your child is having difficulty with language, they might pronounce their words clearly but demonstrate difficulty constructing grammatically correct sentences, understanding directions and overall language, have limited vocabulary skills, and have difficulty putting words in the correct order.

Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so it's important not to panic if your child isn't meeting every milestone perfectly on time. However, some common signs that might indicate that a child could benefit from speech therapy may include:

• A child has not said their first word by 15 months.

• A child isn't putting words together by the time they turn 2 years old.

• A child doesn't seem to understand the meaning of words easily.

• A child is producing speech that is difficult to understand.

• A child is struggling with social interactions.

Evidence-based methods are combined with play-based activities. By using toys, games, and interactive activities, we create a playful and stimulating environment where children can practice their communication skills naturally. This comprehensive approach maximizes the chances of success and helps individuals achieve their communication potential. At the end of all sessions, time is reserved for caregiver education and home practice recommendations. Parent/caregiver wrap-up at the end of each session is essential and expected for teaching the family concepts, vocabulary, newly learned skills, and how to help generalize these skills.

Yes! We firmly believe in a holistic approach to treating each child. We often collaborate with other professionals like Occupational Therapists, Nutritionists, ABA Therapists, and Doctors. We aim for all of our clients to have a well-rounded and comprehensive therapy experience.

Can Speak Therapy offers social skills groups, including skills in perspective taking, conflict resolution, empathy, kindness, and so much more. These groups offer an opportunity to practice social pragmatic skills in a fun and interactive setting. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other, build confidence, and make new friends who understand and support your journey!

If you are interested in social skills group for your child, please contact us today to get more information!