Frequently Asked Questions

To get started, simply complete the contact form to set up your free phone consultation. After your inquiry, I will reach out within 1–2 business days to set up a phone call to discuss your concerns. If an evaluation is warranted, we will schedule this together. Once an evaluation is scheduled, you will receive a link to complete the intake paperwork.

Yes! I understand that choosing a speech therapist is a big decision, and finding the right fit for your child and family is so important.

Sound Speech Therapy is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans only. Claims are submitted directly to BCBS on your behalf. Coverage for speech therapy varies depending on your specific plan, and it is recommended that you verify benefits directly with your insurance provider.

Sound Speech Therapy is only in network with BCBS PPO. For all other health plans, payment is due at the time of service via credit card or HSA/FSA card. Upon request, I can provide a superbill for families to submit to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Please note that reimbursement varies by plan and may be partial or not covered at all.

1. Does my plan cover habilitative speech therapy (Please ask me for specific codes.)?

2. Do I need prior authorization for the evaluation and/or therapy? If so, what documentation is required?

3. Are there limits on the number of visits covered per year? If so, is this a hard limit or can more visits be requested?

4. How much of my deductible has been met?

5. After my deductible has been met, will I have a copay or coinsurance for each visit?

6. What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be for speech therapy sessions?

If your insurance provider is not BCBS PPO:

1. Does my plan include out-of-network speech therapy benefits?

2. Are there any limitations to what is covered for out-of-network speech therapy?

3. What is my out-of-network deductible and copay/coinsurance?

4. Will my insurance provider reimburse me directly for services from an out-of-network provider?

5. Does my plan require a referral, prescription, or prior authorization for out-of-network therapy?

6. What documentation do I need to submit for reimbursement (e.g., superbill, evaluation report, treatment plan)?

The level of parent involvement during a session varies based on each child’s age, individual needs, and what will best support their progress. Parents of children aged 2 and under typically remain in the room for the entirety of the session. The level of parent participation for children aged 3 and up is determined based on what is most supportive of the individual child’s progress. Parents are always invited into the room in the final few minutes to discuss the session and recommendations for home practice.

A pediatric speech and language evaluation includes a combination of formal and informal testing, play-based assessment, clinical observation, and parent interview. I assess speech sound production, expressive and receptive language skills, oral-motor function, and overall communication abilities.

Immediately after the evaluation, we will discuss clinical impressions, and individualized recommendations for therapy if appropriate. A comprehensive evaluation report will be provided following the evaluation.

During therapy for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) and suspected CAS, I incorporate principles of motor learning and specific approaches such as Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) and the PROMPT technique. A higher frequency of sessions is generally recommended for CAS. Treatment is highly individualized for each and every child.

Recommendations regarding frequency and length of sessions are determined after your child’s evaluation and are individualized based on their specific goals, needs, and rate of progress.

Many children benefit from weekly or twice-weekly sessions, depending on the type and severity of their communication needs. For some areas, such as Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), more frequent, intensive therapy may be recommended.

For other concerns, such as a late talker with emerging language skills, we may discuss different options, including weekly therapy or less frequent in-person sessions paired with a personalized home program. The best plan depends on your child’s communication profile and what is realistic for your family’s schedule.

I provide evaluations and treatment for a wide range of pediatric speech and language needs, including speech sound disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), early language delays, receptive and expressive language disorders, and oral myofunctional disorders.

If a child presents with needs outside of my clinical scope of practice or would benefit from additional or highly specialized services such as evaluation and treatment of fluency disorders, intensive feeding therapy, or a specialized AAC evaluation, I am happy to provide referrals to trusted providers and collaborate with other professionals to ensure families receive appropriate support.

My goal is always to help families find the right services for their child, even if that care extends beyond my practice. I approach every recommendation with the same care and consideration I would want for my own child.

My areas of clinical focus include Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), speech sound disorders including motor based speech disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, late talkers, language delay, early language development, and oral myofunctional disorders.

While I no longer participate as a contracted Early Intervention (EI) provider, I continue to evaluate and treat children in the birth to three-year-old age range who may be experiencing speech and language delays. Working with infants and toddlers is a meaningful part of my clinical practice, with a focus on supporting early communication development and empowering caregivers from the very beginning.

Yes! For infants and toddlers with early language delays (late talkers), I provide evaluations and direct speech-language therapy when it is clinically appropriate.

As an alternative, I also offer a parent-coaching model designed to support communication development within everyday routines. This approach focuses on empowering caregivers with practical, evidence-based strategies that can be used throughout the day, rather than relying solely on weekly in-office therapy.

This model typically begins with a comprehensive evaluation and observation, followed by the development of an individualized treatment plan. Families then receive structured coaching, home-based strategies, and scheduled check-ins to monitor progress and adjust recommendations as needed.

PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) is a motor-based approach to speech therapy that uses tactile-kinesthetic cues to support a child’s ability to produce speech sounds, words, and phrases. The clinician provides gentle touch cues to the jaw, lips, and tongue to help guide accurate movement patterns for speech.

PROMPT is often used with children who have motor speech disorders, including Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), as well as other speech sound disorders where speech movements are inconsistent or difficult to coordinate. It is always integrated with other evidence-based motor learning strategies and individualized to each child’s needs.

The early language play groups are small, structured caregiver-and-child sessions designed for families with children ages 3 and under. Each group includes approximately 5–6 caregivers and their children and is offered as a private-pay, multi-week series.

Each week focuses on a specific topic related to early speech and language development, such as creating verbal routines that encourage communication, supporting vocabulary growth, expanding your child’s communication, and how to maximize every day play for language development. Sessions begin with a short, guided discussion and teaching component, followed by time for questions, conversation, and caregiver connection. Parents talk while children play!

The environment is relaxed and welcoming, with opportunities for families to connect and build community.

These groups are appropriate for all families with young children—not only those with identified speech or language concerns.

For more information, join the email list, fill out the contact form on this site, or send an email to hello@soundspeechkids.com

Sound Speech Therapy is located at 730 Quail Ridge Drive in Westmont, Illinois. I provide pediatric speech therapy services for families in Western Springs, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, La Grange, La Grange Park, Brookfield, and surrounding areas.