Frequently Asked Questions
What does online speech therapy look like?
Speech therapy online, also referred to as Telehealth, teletherapy or virtual therapy has a lot in common with SLP services that are delivered face to face. Similar to in-person speech therapy, teletherapy depends on needs of each child and there is no ‘one size fits all approach’. The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), which is the national governing body of SLPs, does endorse teletherapy as a valuable form of providing services. Sessions are planned around the goals of each client, while incorporating a child's strengths and interests.
Is teletherapy effective?
Absolutely. In fact in the last few years there have been an increasing amount of research studies showing the effectiveness of speech language teletherapy. In many cases research has found that teletherapy is just effective as face to face services.
Benefits of Teletheapy include:
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Convenient for children and their families - Families with multiple appointments are able to schedule services without having to leave the house.
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Less stress - There is no travel time, dealing with traffic, looking for parking, sitting in a waiting room and all of the other hassles that come with in-person sessions.
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Increases carryover - Parents and Caregivers are able to see what we work on during our sessions, which is great for everyone! This isn't always possible for services delivered in clinics or at school.
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Safe environment - Children who are shy or overwhelmed may feel more comfortable during the sessions because they are still in a familiar place (their room/house) and not a clinic.
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Increases Access - Telehealth provides access to people who live in more remote or rural communities who want access to quality services but can't drive hours for weekly appointments.
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Decreases missed sessions due to illness - If you have a family member who is immunocompromised or a child feels fine but may be contagious, online services allow everyone to stay healthy no matter what may be going around a community.
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Works in all weather - If the roads are icy or weather is preventing a building from opening, we can still have our sessions.
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Technology is fun - Technology can be a highly engaging and motivating way to help kids learn, especially when learning new skills that may feel overwhelming.
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Still not sure? Read this post about the benefits of teletherapy written by another SLP.
Who can do teletherapy?
Any age can benefit from teletherapy services and here at Bloom, I treat children all school age children, up to high school. For younger elementary children, it is beneficial to have a parent or family member sit with them at the computer so that they can support their child with different games and activities. For older students, they may be able to participate in sessions independently while having caregivers nearby in case they have questions or need any help on their end that cannot be addressed by the SLP. During the free consultation we can discuss the needs of your child and if my skills and teletherapy would be a good fit.
My child had online school in the past and didn't like it. Could they still benefit from teletherapy services?
Yes, your child can still benefit from teletherapy services! Not all online services are created the same. An online classroom with 20 students is very different than 1-1 services where therapy activities are catered to the needs of each child. Additionally if a child is struggling that day to regulate, then part of our work is recognizing the emotions they are having and problem solving how to help them. Given that I specialize in executive function skills, part of the work early on will be figuring out how long a child can pay attention to harder tasks before they need a break and then structuring sessions based on the optimal learning for your child. In classrooms or even some school based speech services, this ability to cater learning to each individual child is limited by the size of the classroom or speech group. In the evaluation and treatment I look at and work on the executive function skills that are foundational to learning. Skills such as ability to sustain attention, ability to self regulate, ability to remember information, aka working memory, and ability to stop an activity and move on to something new. I also know that building rapport and finding what interests and motivates each child is what leads my clients to feel excited about coming to speech.
How long will my child need therapy?
The length of treatment can vary from a short duration to a longer period of time depending on the needs of each client. Most clients attend therapy sessions 1, 2 or 3 times per week. Your child’s treatment plan will be discussed in detail at the time we meet to review the evaluation. If you have specific questions we can also discuss this at the free consultation.
What does an evaluation look like?
An evaluation will consist of assessments, clinical observations, and parent and child interviews. Depending on the areas of need, it will take between 1 to 2 hours. Once completed, a summary of the findings and recommendations will be presented to the parents after the report has been written. Together we will develop a therapy plan based on evaluation results.
Is an evaluation required?
Yes, it is best practice to do an evaluation before starting treatment, so I can get an idea of their strengths, areas for growth and write goals catered to the needs of your child. If your child has been evaluated recently by another SLP, then I can review those evaluations to get a sense of what has been found in the past and talk about other options depending on how and when it was conducted.
My child didn't qualify for school based speech and language services, can you still work with with them?
Absolutely! Schools have different guidelines for qualification and must prove that a child is unable to access the educational curriculum without skilled intervention. Unfortunately many children would still benefit from services but do not qualify at their school or even other private practices because of insurance guidelines. At Bloom we are are not restricted by standard scores or insurance 'red tape'.
Is a MD referral required?
Nope! SLPs are able to see children without a referral from a doctor. Visit the pricing page if you will be seeking a superbill as some insurances require a referral for reimbursement. One of the benefits of private pay is you do not always require a referral.
Do you accept insurance?
At this time, Bloom Wildflowers Therapy does not accept insurance and is an 'out of network' provider or private pay. I do accept credit cards, debit cards, or FSA/HSA. Please see our section on services for more information.
What types of diagnoses do you treat?
I always look at the whole child and not just the diagnosis. I want to meet every child where they are because a diagnosis doesn't ever give the full picture of what an individual needs. I also understand that there is a lot of community and knowledge that can be gained when you know a diagnosis such as ADHD or autism. Some of the diagnoses I treat include ADHD, Autism, specific learning impairment, stuttering, Down syndrome, speech and language delays/disorders, TBIs, and executive function issues.
What is a Speech Language Pathologist?
Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) are experts in all things communication. Our profession works with all ages and in many settings such as hospitals, schools, skilled nursing, home health and private practice. Here at Bloom, I focus my work with children and teens with speech and language delays as well as executive function challenges. For more information about SLPs, click here to read about all the work we do. I know I'm biased but I think our field is pretty cool!
Are you an ADHD coach?
The term 'ADHD coach' encompasses a large range of professionals with a variety of training, background and expertise. Some ADHD coaches may have advanced degrees, while others may call themselves an ADHD coach when they have completed little to no training. This is not to speak badly of ADHD coaches, as they can be wonderful! They simply have fewer requirements for their title, so the range of qualifications and experience is huge. An SLP on the other hand, has a masters degree, state licenses and numerous professional requirements they must actively maintain. We also have extensive knowledge and training in the areas of language, communication, phonology, executive functions and cognitive skills. ADHD coaches also often have a set criteria of time to see a client, say 8 - 10 weeks, while SLPs are therapists who don't have preset time limits for treatment as that depends on the needs of each child, ongoing performance and clinical judgement. If you aren't sure what would best suit your child, contact me for a free consult so we can talk about how SLP services may benefit your child.
Do you offer contracting services in the schools?
I do and I am currently accepting contracts for the 2024/2025 school year. Email me to find out my school rates and current availability!