Frequently Asked Questions

  • Every child develops at their own pace, but there are general "milestones" to look out for. You might consider an evaluation if:

    • Your child is not babbling or gesturing by 12 months.

    • Your child has a limited vocabulary for their age.

    • Family or strangers have difficulty understanding your child’s speech.

    • Your child struggles with social interactions, following simple directions, and/or answering questions.

  • The evaluation is a comprehensive assessment where we look at the "big picture." It typically involves:

    1. Case History: Discussing medical history and developmental milestones.

    2. Formal Testing: Using standardized tools to measure specific skills.

    3. Observation: Watching how your child communicates in a natural setting.

    4. Feedback: A follow-up discussion to review results and create a customized treatment plan.

  • Most children see the best results with one to two sessions per week. However, the frequency is determined by your therapist after the initial evaluation and is based on several factors such as:

    • Severity of the delay

    • Goals that need to be addressed

    • Age and attention span

    • Rate of progress

  • There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the delay or disorder, your child's age, and the consistency of attendance. We regularly review progress and adjust goals to ensure therapy remains effective and efficient.

  • Consistency is vital for progress. However, we understand that emergencies and illnesses happen. We require 24 hours' notice for cancellations to avoid a missed-session fee and to allow other families on our waiting list to use that time slot.

  • Hearts to Words is an out-of-network provider. We do not bill insurance companies directly. This "private pay" model allows us to focus 100% of our time and energy on your child’s care. 

    What is a Superbill and how does it work?

    While we do not deal directly with insurance, we provide all families with a Superbill upon request. A Superbill is a detailed receipt that includes all the clinical information (such as diagnosis and procedure codes) that insurance companies require for reimbursement.

    The process:

    1. Payment: You pay the session fee at the time of service.

    2. Submission: You submit the Superbill to your insurance company.

    3. Reimbursement: Depending on your specific out-of-network benefits, your insurance company may mail a reimbursement check directly to you.  While we are happy to provide you with a monthly Superbill to assist with your reimbursement claims, please note that Hearts to Words does not guarantee coverage or reimbursement from your insurance provider. Because every plan is unique, we recommend contacting your member services representative to confirm your specific out-of-network benefits before beginning treatment.