Q. Do children outgrow some speech impediments on their own? At what age should I begin speech/language therapy for my child?
A. Generally speaking, all speech sounds should be present in a seven year old. After assessment, a Speech Language Pathologist should be able to tell you if the concerns you have are of a developmental nature (i.e. the child will self-correct on his/her own with time) or whether the child is in need of therapeutic intervention. Current research indicates that waiting for problems to go away is usually not the best solution, and additionally, it is usually faster and easier to complete a speech and language therapy program when the child begins at an earlier age. For some disabilities, such as deafness, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome (just to mention a few), therapy programs may begin as early as infancy for feeding, to establish positive parental involvement and education, and to improve speech and language development. Preschoolers and toddlers can ordinarily benefit from speech therapy when their difficulties place them below age expectancy.

Q. How long will speech therapy take?
A. Prior to establishing personal contact with the client it is impossible to provide much more than an educated guess, based upon past therapeutic experience with others similarly situated, in answer to this question. Indeed, this query can be difficult to answer honestly and accurately even after therapy has begun. Numerous important variables such as consistency, motivation, and structural (physical) limitations and/or anomalies can inhibit or enhance the rate of progress. Home practice is yet another variable which can determine the length and success of a therapy program.

Q. Will my health insurance cover this service?
A. Every insurance policy is different so you need to check the specific terms of yours. If you do have coverage be sure you understand such things as restrictions on the number of sessions per calendar year, frequency and duration of services allowable and coverage only for specific diagnostic codes that may be applicable under your policy. You also need to be aware of deductibles and percentage of coverage. Under some policies a medical necessity, as evidenced by a note from your physician, is required. PPO’s, HMO’s and Point of Service plans may or may not permit you to choose your own provider.

Q. Can stuttering be cured?
A. While stuttering can be controlled very successfully with therapy, it cannot truly be said to have been "cured." Many people who have undergone therapy interact with others who are unaware that the person to whom they are speaking has received or needed speech therapy.

Q. Is there a period of time during which it is normal for a child to stutter?
A. Yes, there are many instances of normal developmental disfluencies which can be confused with, but are different from, true stuttering. Consult a Speech Language Pathologist if you have such concerns and he/she should be able to help you discern the differences.

Q. Are there any community services available for the speech and language impaired?
A. Yes. There are federal Part C programs for children ages 0 to 3, preprimary programs available for the 3 year old to pre-kindergarten level and school age children attending public schools may also able to participate in a school based program at no cost (if certain criteria are met). Hospitals and your local community may offer support groups and therapy programs for people who have suffered a stroke, have Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions. Many resources may be available in your community for these and other disabilities not mentioned. Make calls, ask friends and associates, search the Internet and libraries, and find out what is available for you and your family.

Q. What is the difference between a screening and a diagnostic evaluation?
A. A screening is a quick look to determine whether or not specific speech and language areas require additional assessment. A diagnostic evaluation is a comprehensive testing of specific speech and language areas to develop an appropriate therapeutic program.

Q. What do the letters after your name signify?
A. The "MA" is an abbreviation for a graduate school Master of Arts degree. The "C.C.C." is an abbreviation for a Certificate of Clinical Competence awarded by the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) only after successfully completing accredited course work, passing a national competency test, and finishing a supervised clinical fellowship. I also possess licenses from the states of Florida and New York.

Q. How will my child or loved one likely feel about needing and obtaining speech language therapy?
A. There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to communicate and being unable to do so. When a person is able to express him or herself and be understood it is empowering, provides positive self-esteem and ultimately, allows them to better control their life. Many youngsters will demonstrate "negative" behaviors due to a variety of factors including frustration over inability to be understood. This may be remedied with speech and language therapy to increase communication skills, enabling the child to "voice" their moods and desires in an appropriate manner. For those individuals for whom verbal communication is not a possibility there are other means available, such as sign language and augmentative communication devices, that can be used in conjunction with therapy to assist in accomplishing these goals.