What is a Speech and Language Pathologist?
A Speech and Language Pathologist is a board certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association. They have a Master’s Degree in the area of Speech/Language/Hearing Sciences and Disorders and have completed a Clinical Fellowship Year (similar to a year student teaching).
Is a Speech and Language Pathologist the same as a Speech Therapist?
Yes. It’s a bit like “tomatoe, tomato.”
What do I need to know about Speech Therapy?
Understood.org provides a wonderful overview.
Does my child need Speech Therapy?
This is a great question! You as the parent know your child the best. If you are having concerns it never hurts to reach out to a specialist.
Do you accept insurance?
Malvern Speech Therapy is a private pay clinic. A superbill can be given upon request for the family to request reimbursement from insurance. Each insurance company provides different reimbursement so please check with your insurance agency.
Speech Therapy is provided free of charge by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (484-237-5000) for early intervention or your school district providing your child qualifies.
What does a session look like?
Depending on your child’s needs sessions will be 45 – 60 minutes. This includes direct therapy time, charting time and parent/ care giver discussion. Malvern Speech Therapy provides play based therapy so dependent on your child’s needs and likes we could be building a block castle, reading a book, painting a picture or playing a game i.e. Don’t Break the Ice.
How are therapy goals created?
Goals are created based on the initial evaluation, clinical observations and parent/ care giver input. Families and therapists work as a team to create a therapy plan that is most beneficial for the child. It is important to pick goals that are developmentally appropriate. What this means is that for example your baby is standing up independently and getting ready to walk maybe taking the odd step here and there. Your next expectation wouldn’t be for the child to ride a 2-wheeler bike it would be to safely walk independently. The same goes with speech if your goal is to help increase the length of your child’s utterance and he/she is currently using less then 50 words independently you wouldn’t create a goal for your child to produce a complete sentence i.e. I want the big red book.
How is progress monitored and shared?
After the goals are created by the team the therapist tracks progress with session notes. Progress should be discussed with each session and carry-over activities ideas shared to help with progress. A progress update note can be given upon request.
How long will my child be in need of speech therapy?
Therapy is concluded when the team (parents and therapist) determines your child’s personal speech and language goal(s) are mastered.
Where are you located?
We are located in Malvern near Immaculata University.
What is the make-up policy?
Make-ups due to weather and illness etc. can be rescheduled.
How do I schedule an evaluation or therapy session?
You can call Malvern Speech Therapy at 484-568-4710 or email Erin@malvernspeechtherapy.com.