What Parents Need to Know About Pediatric Speech Therapy. Navigating speech, language, or feeding development can raise many questions for parents and caregivers. At First Words Speech Therapy, we believe clear communication and early support make all the difference in your child’s developmental journey.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions families ask when considering speech therapy for their child.

1. How old should a child be to start speech therapy?

There is no minimum age requirement to begin therapy. The right time to start depends entirely on your child’s specific diagnosis and needs:

Infants & Toddlers: Feeding, swallowing, or oral-motor concerns can be evaluated and treated in early infancy.

Ages 1 and Up: Speech and language delays are typically assessed after a child turns one and shows signs of missing key communication milestones.

If you are unsure whether your child is on track, contact our team to discuss whether a professional evaluation is appropriate.

2. What age groups do you treat?

First Words is primarily a pediatric practice serving children from birth through 21 years of age. We also have select therapists on staff who treat adult patients—please reach out to check availability for adult speech services.

3. What happens during a speech therapy evaluation?

An evaluation is the initial assessment conducted before any treatment plan begins. It combines two core components:

Formal Testing: Standardized tools that provide objective measurements and numeric scores of your child’s abilities.

Informal Play-Based Assessment: Clinical observations made while engaging with your child naturally through play to observe real-world communication, behavior, and social skills.

The goal of the evaluation is to identify your child’s unique strengths and areas for growth to create an individualized Plan of Care.

4. Does insurance cover speech therapy evaluations and sessions?

Insurance coverage depends on your specific health plan and benefits package. First Words accepts several Medicaid and commercial insurance plans, and our administrative team works diligently alongside insurance providers to help maximize full or partial coverage for your child’s care.

5. What does a typical speech therapy session look like?

During a session, your speech-language pathologist (SLP) guides your child through a blend of structured exercises and engaging, play-based activities tailored to the goals in their Plan of Care.

Our therapists track data consistently during each visit to measure progress and guide clinical decisions. At the end of every session, we consult with parents to share updates and provide simple carryover activities to practice at home throughout the week.

6. How long are speech therapy sessions?

Session frequency and duration are tailored to each child’s individual needs. Therapy sessions typically run for 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Following the initial evaluation, your therapist will discuss their recommendations with you to establish an optimal treatment schedule.

7. Can my child receive speech therapy at home or daycare?

Yes! Clinical research shows that children often make the greatest progress when receiving therapy in their natural environment where they feel most comfortable. First Words offers flexible scheduling to provide therapy directly:

In your home
At your child’s daycare center
At your child’s school

8. Who will be providing my child’s speech therapy?

Your child will work with a highly trained professional. Every speech-language pathologist at First Words holds:

A Master’s degree (at minimum) in Speech-Language Pathology.

Active state licensure from the Department of Health.

National certification (CCC-SLP) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Full Level II Background Screening and fingerprint clearance.

9. Do you offer Occupational (OT), Physical (PT), or Behavioral Therapy (ABA)?

While our core team consists of speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, we take a holistic approach to pediatric care.

We routinely collaborate with trusted physical therapists and ABA specialists across our local network, and we are happy to connect you with reliable partners to build a comprehensive therapy team for your child.

Have More Questions About Your Child’s Communication?

Early intervention builds a strong foundation for lifelong confidence and success. Contact First Words Speech Therapy today to speak with our care team or schedule an initial evaluation!