Billing and FAQ’s

We encourage a collaborative approach and want parents to feel like true partners in their child’s therapy program. If you have questions or concerns that cannot be fully addressed during your child’s scheduled session, we are happy to arrange a phone call or in‑person meeting to ensure your concerns are thoughtfully addressed.

You are welcome to call our office at (984) 381‑5778 at any time to schedule an evaluation for your child. We will ask for some general information to get started and help you understand what to expect. If your child’s physician has already provided a referral, their office will typically send us the necessary information. Once we have what we need, we will promptly contact you to schedule the appointment—or you are always welcome to reach out to us directly.

Evaluations are scheduled for one hour and generally include the gathering of case history, along with administration of formal and informal assessment measures. Results of the evaluation are discussed, and recommendations made regarding the need for therapy and the direction that treatment will take. Upon request as indicated on your release form, the results are shared with doctors, educators, and other allied health professionals.

Once your child’s evaluation is complete and any necessary insurance authorizations have been requested, we will schedule speech therapy sessions based on the recommended frequency (typically once or twice per week).

Sessions are individualized, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. We blend play‑based activities, structured practice, and hands‑on parent coaching so families feel confident supporting communication at home. Each session includes practical strategies you can begin using right away.

Therapy sessions are typically about 30 minutes. This time includes set‑up, clean‑up, a brief discussion of your child’s session, and point‑of‑service documentation so we can keep you informed and maintain high‑quality care.

Absolutely. Parent involvement is an important part of the therapy process, and we especially encourage parents to join sessions for infants, toddlers, and younger children. Your presence helps you learn strategies firsthand so you can support your child’s communication at home.

For some school‑age children, however, having a parent in the room can make it harder for them to fully engage or build independence. In those cases, your child may benefit from working directly with the therapist while you wait nearby. We’ll always keep you informed and invite you to join sessions periodically so you feel confident carrying over skills and activities at home.

Whenever possible, we ask that siblings not attend sessions so the time can remain focused and calm for the child receiving therapy. Of course, we understand that this isn’t always possible, and we will work with your family to find a plan that supports your child’s success while honoring your family’s needs.

Every child receives an evaluation before beginning therapy. Once the evaluation is complete, it will be reviewed with parents, who will also receive a copy of the report. Progress reports are provided and discussed with parents six months after the initial evaluation, and a reevaluation is conducted annually to ensure ongoing progress and update goals as needed.

We support children from infancy through adolescence. This includes newborn feeding, early communication development, preschool speech and language, and school‑age speech, language, and myofunctional needs.

You may want to consider a speech and language evaluation if you notice that your child is having difficulty communicating, understanding language, or being understood by others. Some signs include:

• Limited vocabulary or slow development of new words

• Difficulty following directions or understanding questions

• Trouble putting words together into phrases or sentences

• Speech that is unclear or hard for familiar listeners to understand

• Frustration during communication or frequent tantrums related to not being understood

• Difficulty with social communication, such as taking turns, using eye contact, or staying on topic

• Concerns from teachers, caregivers, or pediatricians

• A gut feeling that something “just isn’t clicking” with communication

Every child develops at their own pace, but early support can make a meaningful difference. If you’re unsure, an evaluation provides clarity, reassurance, and a plan tailored to your child’s needs.

A feeding evaluation can be helpful when mealtimes feel stressful or your child is having difficulty eating a variety of foods. Some signs that your child may benefit from an evaluation include:

• Difficulty transitioning to purées or solid foods

• Frequent gagging or vomiting with new textures

• A very limited diet or refusal of entire food groups

• Stress, anxiety, or power struggles at mealtimes

• Poor weight gain or concerns about growth

• Coughing, choking, or sounding “wet” while eating or drinking

If you’re noticing any of these signs—or if something about feeding just doesn’t feel right—we’re here to help. A feeding evaluation can identify what’s getting in the way and create a plan to support safe, enjoyable, and successful mealtimes.

Therapy length varies based on your child’s needs, goals, and developmental profile. We continually monitor progress and adjust the plan so therapy remains purposeful, efficient, and supportive.

Yes. We support children with limited diets, strong food preferences, sensory sensitivities, difficulty tolerating textures, and stress around mealtimes. Therapy focuses on safety, confidence, and gradual, supported progress.

Absolutely. We support infants with challenges such as latching, bottle feeding, suck‑swallow‑breathe coordination, reflux‑related feeding stress, and oral‑motor development. Early feeding support can make a tremendous difference for both babies and caregivers.

Family involvement is an essential part of the therapy process. While it may look different for each family, parents and caregivers play a key role in supporting the skills we target during sessions. You are encouraged to share your insights, ask questions, and participate in discussions about goals so therapy reflects what matters most in your daily routines.

Some families prefer hands‑on participation during sessions, while others engage through coaching conversations before or after the session. No matter the format, we work together to ensure you feel confident supporting your child’s progress at home.

Pediatric Connections supports children who struggle with picky eating by creating a positive, low‑pressure path toward trying and enjoying new foods. With 30+ years of pediatric feeding experience, we look beyond “picky eating” to understand why your child is having difficulty—whether it’s sensory sensitivities, oral‑motor challenges, limited food exposure, mealtime stress, or past negative experiences.

In therapy, we focus on:

• Building trust and confidence so your child feels safe exploring new foods

• Supporting sensory needs through playful, step‑by‑step food exploration

• Strengthening oral‑motor skills needed for chewing and swallowing

• Creating calm, predictable mealtime routines that reduce stress for the whole family

• Partnering with parents so you feel supported and equipped with practical strategies at home

  Our goal is to help your child expand their food variety at a pace that feels comfortable, pleasurable, and sustainable—while helping your family enjoy mealtimes again.

Yes — parent coaching is at the heart of everything we do at Pediatric Connections. We believe children make the most meaningful progress when parents feel confident, supported, and equipped with practical tools they can use at home.

Our parent coaching includes:

• Clear, compassionate guidance so you understand why your child is struggling and what will help

• Real‑life strategies you can use during meals, play, routines, and everyday moments

• Modeling and hands‑on practice so you feel comfortable trying new techniques

• Ongoing support to help you celebrate progress, troubleshoot challenges, and adjust strategies as your child grows

• A partnership approach where your insights, questions, and goals shape every session

Whether your child is working on early communication, speech sounds, feeding skills, or sensory‑based challenges, we walk alongside you every step of the way.

Yes. Pediatric Connections offers playful, developmentally rich early‑learning programs designed specifically to support speech, language, and social‑communication growth in toddlers. These classes blend clinical expertise with hands‑on, connection‑based learning so children can build skills in a playful, low‑pressure environment.

Our toddler programs focus on:

• Early communication skills like gestures, first words, and simple phrases

• Language development through songs, books, routines, and interactive play

• Social skills such as turn‑taking, joint attention, and early peer interaction

• Early literacy foundations including sound awareness, vocabulary building, and story engagement

• Parent involvement so caregivers learn strategies they can use at home

These classes are designed to feel welcoming, engaging, and accessible — giving toddlers a strong foundation for communication while helping parents feel confident and supported.

What are the signs that my child might need speech or feeding therapy?

Every child develops at their own pace, but certain signs can let you know it may be helpful to seek support. At Pediatric Connections, we look at the whole child — communication, feeding, sensory needs, and daily routines — to understand what’s going on and how to help.

Signs your child may benefit from speech or language therapy:

• Limited babbling or few sounds in infancy

• Not using gestures (like pointing or waving)

• Fewer than expected words for their age

• Difficulty combining words into simple phrases

• Trouble being understood by familiar people

• Frustration during communication

• Challenges with following directions or understanding language

• Difficulty with speech sounds or clarity

Signs your child may benefit from feeding therapy:

• Frequent gagging, coughing, or difficulty chewing

• Very limited food variety (often fewer than 10–15 foods)

• Avoiding entire textures or food groups

• Stressful mealtimes or refusal to sit at the table

• Difficulty transitioning from bottles/purees to solids

• Sensory sensitivities to smells, textures, or messy play

• Slow weight gain or concerns from your pediatrician

If you’re noticing any of these signs or if something just doesn’t feel right, we’re here to help you sort through it with compassion, clarity, and a plan that feels doable for your family.