We are currently in network with most commercial Blue Cross and Highmark plans. If we are not in network with your insurance, we can provide you with a detailed receipt, called a superbill, upon payment that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. It is not a guarantee that you will get reimbursed. You should call the number on your insurance card prior to services to find out if they cover out-of-network providers and the percentage that they will reimburse for services. You may also use an HSA/FSA card to pay for services.

Start by scheduling a phone consult so we can discuss your goals for your child and determine whether or not our services would be a good fit for your family. If your child has not had a recent evaluation within the last 6 months that covers the areas we specialize in, we will schedule an evaluation that will occur over 2-3 sessions. Following the evaluation, we will determine whether therapy is warranted and set up services. Frequency of sessions depend upon the child and family needs.

Although the main focus of our practice is in working with autistic children, we are open to working with any child who has complex communication needs. We have experience working with children with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and a variety of genetic disorders.

Gestalt language processing is often more commonly referred to as delayed echolalia or scripting. Gestalt language processing is a style of language development that moves from whole, memorized phrases to single words/combinations and then to novel sentences. Children learn language by using chunks of words (gestalts) that serve as a single unit of meaning and their language is often rich in intonation. The Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) framework is used to treat gestalt language processors by helping them move through the four stages of gestalt language development.

We focus on building relationships and connections with all the children we work with. Children often don’t engage with therapists because therapy is not based on the child’s interests, the child may not feel successful in therapy, and/or their current methods of communication are not being respected and honored. By focusing on a child’s strengths and following their lead, we are better able to build trust between therapist and child. Our therapy is not based upon compliance because communication is connection, not compliance.

Many children benefit from using an AAC device, even if they are speaking. An AAC device is a tablet that can help someone who needs extra speech and language support to communicate. There are no prerequisites to AAC and there is no research to show that using an AAC device will prevent a child from speaking. If your child is struggling to communicate, it is likely that they would benefit from an AAC device. Some children will use an AAC device as their primary means of communication and others will use it for a limited time or intermittently. Implementation of an AAC device requires parents/caregivers to be fully supportive of modeling use of the device in as many settings and situations as possible.