• What is a speech language pathologist?
• What is the different between speech and language?
• What is speech and language development and why is it important?
• What is the different between expressive language and receptive language?
• What is the different between a screening and evaluation?
• How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?  When should I start to worry if my child isn’t talking?
• Should I be using sign language with my infant or toddler?
• What is a treatment plan?
• How often will my child need therapy?
• Will insurance cover speech therapy and evaluations?
• Do you have an office?  How do you provide these services?

• What is a speech language pathologist?
- Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help people develop their communication abilities as well as treat speech, language, swallowing, and voice disorders. Their services include prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation. Speech-language pathologists who are certified by ASHA have completed their master's or doctoral degree and earned ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

• What is the different between speech and language?
- SPEECH refers to four different parts of communication: Articulation, Phonology, Voice and Fluency.  Articulation is the way a child makes his/her specific sounds.  Phonology is the way a child understands how sounds go together to make words.  Fluency is the smoothness of a child’s speech as he/she talks in words or sentences.  Voice is the quality of a child’s vocal cord vibrations when he/she speaks.  LANGUAGE is the set of rules we use when we communicate with others and also how we understand languages that are presented to us.  Rules of our language include what words mean (vocabulary or semantics), how to make new words, how to put words together and what word combinations are appropriate in given situations.  When children have significant weaknesses in understanding and/or expressing messages, then they may have concerns in this area.  We learn through language, so significant language concerns typically interfere with academic achievement.  To review, when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she has a language disorder.  When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder.  Language and speech disorders can exist together or by themselves.  (information adapted from ASHA’s website)

• What is speech and language development and why is it important?
- The development of communication skills begins in infancy, before the emergence of the first word. Any speech or language problem is likely to have a significant effect on the child's social and academic skills and behavior. The earlier a child's speech and language problems are identified and treated, the less likely it is that problems will persist or get worse. Early speech and language intervention can help children be more successful with reading, writing, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships.

• What is the different between expressive language and receptive language?
- Expressive language is how a person communicates with other people. This can be through spoken words, written words or sign language.  Receptive language is how well a person understands the language that is presented to him.  It is important to look at both aspects when evaluating a child’s language development.  Some children may only have an expressive or receptive delay while others may exhibit delays in both areas.

• What is the different between a screening and evaluation?
- A screening, by definition, is a survey of a general population or an at risk group to look for a specific condition – such as speech or language delays. A screening is a relatively quick and easy way to see if your child should be tested further.  If your child fails the screening, further testing will be recommended.  An evaluation will look deeper into your child’s speech and language abilities.  After an evaluation, you will know the specific areas in which your child has problems and also how well he compares to other children his age.  An evaluation will also determine the best course of treatment for you child.

• How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?  When should I start to worry if my child isn’t talking?
- There is a normal developmental curve for speech and language development – meaning there are certain ages when children should be displaying certain sounds, using different forms of language and also demonstrating an understanding of what is said or signed to them.  Some children learn speech and language very early, while others may be on the other end of this curve.  It is often difficult to know whether your child has a delay in their speech or language development or if they may just be a “late talker” or “late bloomer” in their understanding.  If you go to the “links” section, you’ll find a link that will take you to a section on ASHA’s website. This section will lay out the developmental norms for you.  You can compare what you know your child says or does to these developmental norms.  If you have concerns, a screening or consultation may be helpful to determine exactly where your child falls on the normal developmental curve for speech and language development.

• Should I be using sign language with my infant or toddler?
- I believe that anything you can do to create a language rich environment for your child is a positive thing. By providing your infant with a few signs early on, you are helping him understand that words and signs have meaning.  For example, signing “more” to him as you give him more milk or snacks shows him that the act of getting “more” has a sign and a spoken word to go with it.  This is helping him pair the sign with an act, which is a great step to developing language.  Early on, he may not have the speech to say “more” but he can certainly learn to sign “more” in order to get more of something.  Many infants and toddlers can express frustration by not being able to communicate with spoken words, so providing a few signs to them can help decrease this frustration until their speech develops.  While at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, I worked with children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, so I have lots of ideas and experience in this area.  You can also look at the links section for other websites dedicated to learning how to sign with your baby.

• What is a treatment plan?
- A treatment plan will provide you with specific long term and short term goals for therapy.  It will also describe the type, amount and frequency of therapy recommended.  Some insurance companies may require this for reimbursement – along with progress reports.

• How often will my child need therapy?
- The amount of therapy your child needs will really depend on the type of speech or language delays your child exhibits.   Some simple articulation delays can be resolved in a few short weeks while other delays may require on-going therapy.  

• Will insurance cover speech therapy and evaluations?
- Coverage by insurance companies really varies.  Some companies may cover the full cost of therapy, others may only cover a portion and some may not cover it at all.  Coverage often depends on the diagnosis your child is given.  Sometimes insurance companies will also limit the number of sessions a child can participate in.  I am happy to provide you with whatever documentation you need to help with reimbursement from your insurance company, but I am not able to directly bill your insurance company for payment.

• Do you have an office?  How do you provide these services?
- I see clients at the White House Library in White House, TN.  The library provides private study rooms that offer quiet environments for evaluations and therapy sessions.