• Where is Steel Valley Speech & Language located? 

  • We are a mobile small business and do not have a brick-and-mortar office at this time. Services are provided in an agreed upon community location, which includes library meeting rooms, daycares, preschools, and even playgrounds on nice summer days. Having therapy in these flexible locations allows for a convenient meeting space for everyone, as well as a functional environment for kids to learn new skills! ​

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• Do you accept insurance?

  • We are private-pay only, and do not bill insurance at this time. However, some commercial insurance plans have out-of-network (OON) benefits for speech therapy services. We can provide a "superbill" (statement of your services) after the sessions for you to then submit on your own to your insurance company to get potential reimbursement. Be sure to check with your insurance company first, to see if this is something you are eligible for.​

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• How can I pay for sessions? 

  • You can pay via cash, check, or through Ivy Pay -- a secure, HIPAA-compliant online payment system!  Ivy Pay is very easy to use; a payment link can be texted to you at the time of your session, and you can pay with just a click of a button! You can even store your credit card securely in the system for future payments  (and I will never have access to your card information to ensure privacy and security). ​

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• Do you offer screenings? 

  • Yes! Call or send us a message today to set up a free screening for your child. This is just an initial 10-15 minute process to see if your child is "on-track" for age-expected speech and/or language skills, or if they could benefit from speech therapy. We can do this in-person or through video conference!​

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• When do you schedule sessions for?

  • We are currently scheduling sessions for SUMMER 2024 SPEECH (June-August)! Reach out today to get your child signed up! ​

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• My child already gets speech therapy at school -- do they need "extra"?

  • It depends! As I am primarily a school-based speech pathologist (SLP), I am very familiar with the differences between educational vs. private services. In schools, speech therapists are bound by legal eligibility requirements; the child's speech and language impairment MUST be impacting their education, and the services provided in school are to provide children with skills needed to access the curriculum. Some kids qualify for "ESY" (summer speech services) through their school district, but must be showing documented regression of skills, or minimal progress to be eligible for this. In addition, your child's school SLP likely cannot "recommend" private speech therapy (in most cases) due to some state and district protocols. They provide what is needed for school (and often go above and beyond!) -- but that doesn't mean your child couldn't also benefit from continued practice in the summer! I always say, it can't hurt, and many times it can help a child maintain their skills over summer, make progress quicker, and ultimately, gain their communication skills even more efficiently! Please note that every child is different and some kids do not always benefit from "more." We can talk about your child's age, history of therapy, and current needs to determine if summer services are recommended, and for what frequency / duration. ​

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• My child didn't qualify for speech therapy at school -- can they still do private speech sessions?

  • As mentioned above, school vs. private therapy have very different eligibility requirements. Schools have to be able to show that speech/language errors are having a negative impact on education in order to qualify a child for services. Some schools have additional criteria for qualification (like "2 standard deviations" below the average score on X number of standardized tests). In private speech therapy, we have the ability to assess, treat a child's needs, and support their natural speech and language development without the overarching eligibility requirements that some schools and outpatient facilities must adhere to. If your child has communication needs, we can talk about the recommended course of action! If screenings show that your child is right on track and you are still concerned, I can provide you with strategies, supports, and opportunities for consultation to make sure your child continues to progress and reach all developmental milestones.

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• How long will my child be in speech therapy?

  • This depends on many factors, including your child's age, any diagnoses, underlying conditions, severity, level of support needed, motivation, carryover and home practice, and so on. This can range from just a couple of months to several years, depending on your child's needs. We will give a recommendation for frequency and duration of therapy sessions, but since we are private-pay, we have the flexibility to work with you to make a plan that works well for you and your child.​

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• Do I need a referral from a doctor?

  • Usually, no! Private pay services do not require a doctor's referral like you might need when trying to access ​services that bill insurance (i.e. hospital, rehab facility, outpatient, some private clinics, etc.). The beauty of private-pay is that we can work on what your child actually NEEDS without proving this to insurance or needing a "label" or "code" to bill for it.

  • **However, if you choose to submit a superbill to your insurance on your own behalf to access potential Out-of-Network (OON) benefits, you MAY need to get a doctor's referral. We recommend checking with your insurance company and seeing if this is part of your healthcare policy if this is something you intend to utilize.