Frequently Asked Questions
Get Informed
What is AAC?
AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills.
Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. Some people use AAC throughout their life. Others may use AAC only for a short time, like when they have surgery and can’t talk.
There are a lot of different types of AAC.
No-tech and low-tech options include:
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gestures
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facial expressions
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writing
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drawing
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spelling words by pointing to letters,
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pointing to photos
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pictures, or written words.
High-tech options include:
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using an app on an iPad or tablet to communicate
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a speech-generating device (SGD) from a DME company
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This can be accessed via, eye-gaze, blink, switch, EMG, Spatial movements, head pointer etc.
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A person may use one method of AAC or a combination of different methods, depending on what works best for them. AAC can be used by anyone who has difficulty communicating, including people with developmental disabilities, stroke survivors, and people who are nonverbal.
What is your new patient procedure?
Our patients or their providers will contact our front office. We will collect all your demographics and insurance information.
We will then contact your insurance to verify benefits and cost and communicate those back to you within 24-48 hours.
Once you have decided to start services we will send you intake paperwork and get you scheduled with one of our wonderful therapist.
What is your cancellation policy?
We completely understand that life can get into the way and that at times even with the best of intentions you or your therapist are able to make an appointment.
Due to high demand for our services we do require 24 hours notice before any cancellation that is not medical (i.e. child is sick, parent is sick, child has medical emergency). Only medical reasons will NOT go against our No Show Policy.
If you have 3 No Shows in 30 days, then unfortunately we will have to put your child back on our waitlist, if this happens 2x/ in an authorization period (3 or 6 months) then we will discharge from services.
If your therapist cancels then this is not your fault DOES NOT go against NO SHOW allowance. Your therapist is required to propose a make-up session within 2 weeks of missed appointment.
What Insurance do you accept?
We are always working on various insurance contracts in the background. Calling our office is always the best option to get the most updated information. You may also take a look at our insurance page to see if you find your insurance on the list of ones that we are able to accept.
Please note that if you have Medicaid (any state medicaid) secondary and you do not see your primary insurance on our list that does not mean we are unable to see your child.
Insurance billing is always complicated but we have a dedicated team of specialist in our office that can help you!
How do I know if my child needs therapy?
This is the existential question that we all ask ourselves as parents when we come across the moment that we realize that we may need help?
Your Physician's office is your FIRST port of call for all these questions. If you have any concern at all big or small then please bring it forward to your pediatrician.
These flags are for Early Intervention but they would apply to older children who are not meeting these milestone as well.
We ALWAYS need a referral from your Pediatrician or Medical Doctor before starting any therapy services.
What if my child is getting therapy at school?
We appreciate the hard work of school therapists and love to collaborate with them to be sure our patients get the best clinical and educational therapy through common goals.
Since we bill your insurance company there is no conflict with your child receiving school therapy and private outpatient therapy. We are able to attend IEP meetings if you wish.
We do encourage collaboration between the school therapist and our team, this assures that we all have common goals.