Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pediatric SLP?

Pediatric SLP refers to pediatric speech-language pathology, a specialized field within healthcare and education focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders in children from birth through adolescence. The therapists who work in this area are also referred to as SLPs, in which case the P stands for pathologist. 

Who Needs Speech-Language Therapy and When?

Every child develops at their own pace, but there are some signs that may indicate your child could benefit from speech-language support.

By 12 Months: Your child doesn't turn their head when hearing their name (and hearing loss has been ruled out).

By 18 Months: Your child uses fewer than 10 words (excluding "mama" and "dada") or doesn't consistently use gestures like pointing to communicate needs or interests.

By 24 Months (2 Years): Your child uses fewer than 75–100 words or isn't consistently combining two words together (e.g., "more juice," "daddy go").

By 30 Months (2.5 Years): Unfamiliar listeners can understand less than 50% of what your child says due to unclear speech.

Ages 3–14: Consider reaching out if your child:

• Has difficulty with social interactions, such as sharing toys, initiating play, or responding to others

• Struggles to understand what others say or has trouble following directions

• Has difficulty expressing thoughts clearly, often using short or simple sentences or struggling to retell a story

• Misses social cues, has trouble starting conversations, or struggles with taking turns in conversation

• Consistently mispronounces sounds (like saying "wabbit" for "rabbit") or has speech that sounds choppy or is hard to follow

Who do you service?

​I specialize in infants through teens for all of our services.

What type of assessments do you offer?

1. Developmental Screenings - Help to determine if your child is meeting age-appropriate communication, social language, and play skills.​

2. Language and Articulation Assessments - Individualized and standardized, these  assessments are provided to determine your child’s strengths and needs in expressive and receptive language and clarity of their speech

What type of services do you offer?

1. Therapy Sessions - One-on-one sessions that involve engaging, child-led, play-based activities where the parent actively participates alongside the child and the SLP, maximizing progress by empowering families to continue successful communication practice at home.​

2. Parent Coaching - Dedicated guidance where we partner with you to provide practical, individualized, and specific communication techniques directly into your daily routines and play, empowering you to foster language development multiple times a day. These sessions are focused on parent skill-building and are not hands-on therapy with the child.

3. Report Review - Designed for families whose child has a speech-language assessment completed within the last six months; we will review the findings to allow your child to begin therapy immediately based on the existing report, ensuring progress continues while you remain on any external waiting lists.

4. IEP Partner - Provides families with expert advocacy by reviewing your child's goals and attending IEP meetings alongside you to ensure your child receives the most appropriate and effective school-based speech and language services.

What should you expect after the consultation?

After you submit the intake paperwork, I will call or email you to schedule your child’s comprehensive assessment within 1-2 weeks. Typically, we schedule a separate feedback session one week after the assessment, which is included in the price of the evaluation. This 30-minute session is to review the findings and agree on goals. Regular therapy sessions typically begin one week after that feedback discussion.

Where do sessions take place?

I offer convenient scheduling with options for both virtual sessions and in-home visits across the Columbia, MD area.

How long are sessions typically?

I will work with you to find a consistent time slot that fits your family's routine, with therapy sessions lasting 30 minutes and assessments typically lasting one hour.

How do I pay?

I accept all major credit cards, and payment for services is required before sessions are provided.

Are there payment plans?

For your convenience, you can pay the entire balance upfront or split the cost into two equal installments: one due before the first session and the balance due halfway through the therapy block. See therapy packages for specific pricing and discounts.

Do you accept insurance?

As a specialized private practice, I operate on an out-of-network basis and do not accept insurance directly. 

Why are you an out-of-network provider with all insurance companies?

​1. Efficacy:  Out-of-network providers are motivated to provide a higher level of service, resulting in faster progress for you. This results in fewer therapy visits, lower costs, and higher achievement.

2. Independence:  Insurance companies limit the number of sessions an individual can have and what can be worked on in therapy. We don't believe insurance companies should have the right to restrict the intervention a person receives.

3. Privacy:  I am not obligated to share anything about diagnosis and treatment with your insurance company, school, or anyone else.

How do I get reimbursement from my insurance?

To help you seek reimbursement, I will provide you with a superbill containing all the necessary codes and information to submit to your insurance company. This allows you to submit for reimbursement based on your plan's out-of-network benefits.

What is the cancellation policy?

I ask for your help by providing 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel a session, so I can offer that time to another family. I understand that things happen, so I will consider makeup sessions on an individual basis, provided they are completed within the time frame of your current therapy package.

Where can I find tools and toys for my child?

Discovery Toys - offers fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate toys for children of all abilities (with a lifetime guarantee of each toy)

Special Needs Toys​

Autism Toys

Talk Tools offers speech and language, oral motor, and feeding tools

Beyond Play offers an extensive selection of products for early childhood and special needs.

Where can I go to get reliable information and support?

The Hanen Centre supports all the adults in a young child’s life to turn everyday interactions into motivating, powerful opportunities to build children’s communication skills.

Cari Ebert is a Speech-Language Pathologist who offers neurodiversity-affirming tools created for pediatric therapists, educators, and parents who want to nurture communication, connection, and confidence in young learners.

Pathways.org provides timeframes when new skills are expected to emerge, parenting tips, and developmental milestones. Can download an app and create a profile for your child

Healthy Beginnings provides timeframes when new skills are expected to emerge, parenting tips, and developmental milestones from birth to 8 years old.

@sensory.SLP  on Instagram. Jessie Ginsburg is a neuro-affirming speech-language pathologist who embraces sensory regulation, connection, and communication and uses many sensory strategies.