What is speech therapy? Speech therapy is a service provided by trained speech-language pathologists to help individuals of all ages improve their communication skills. This can include:
- Speech (pronunciation)
- Language (difficulty understanding or producing language)
- Voice quality
- Stuttering
- Social communication
- Cognition
- Swallowing difficulties
View the services we provide at New Trails Speech Therapy here.
Who can benefit from speech therapy? Anyone experiencing difficulties with speech, language, or communication skills can benefit from speech therapy. This includes children with developmental delays, individuals with speech disorders like apraxia of speech or articulation difficulties, adults recovering from stroke or brain injury, and those with cognitive impairments.
How do I know If I or my child needs speech therapy? If you or your child is experiencing challenges in communication, such as difficulty being understood, limited vocabulary, trouble following directions, stuttering that affects communication with others, or other speech-related issues, it may be beneficial to consult with a speech-language pathologist. An evaluation can help determine if speech therapy is recommended.
What happens during a speech therapy evaluation? First, we’ll schedule a free consultation and work together to determine if an evaluation is warranted. This will give us the chance to meet and discuss your concerns. Then we’ll schedule an initial evaluation which usually lasts a couple of hours, but the timing depends on a variety of factors that we may or may not be able to predict. Sometimes evaluations can take place over the course of multiple sessions, but we always charge a flat rate and will always communicate with you about potential charges BEFORE we begin. It is often not realistic to really get to know an individual and all their strengths, interests, and challenges within an evaluation period. We’ll get the information we need to develop a treatment plan from the initial evaluation and then reshape or update goals as speech therapy progresses.
What happens during a speech therapy session? Speech therapy sessions are tailored to the individual’s needs and goals. They may include exercises to improve speech clarity, language comprehension and expression activities, stuttering intervention that supports ease, empowerment and education, cognitive-communication enhancement, and more! Sessions can be conducted one-on-one, in group settings, in person, or online depending on the client’s needs.
How do you incorporate neurodiversity and verbal diversity affirming principles into speech therapy practice? At New Trails Speech Therapy, we take very seriously the autonomy and diversity of the individuals we treat. We take extra time to listen to the experiences of people who stutter, autistic individuals, and many others which guides our evaluation and treatment plans. Our recommendations and interventions incorporate strengths-based and total communication approaches to respect the diverse communication styles of our clients. We embrace flexibility, incorporating alternative communication methods as often and early as we can! Collaboration with clients, families, and support networks is central, as is our commitment to ongoing education, advocacy, and challenging stigma. Through these efforts, we strive to create an inclusive environment where all clients feel empowered to communicate authentically and are supported in achieving their communication goals.
What services do speech-language pathologists provide in gender-affirming care? Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) offer a range of services, including voice therapy, to help individuals achieve a voice that aligns with their gender identity. They may also provide communication training to help individuals modify speech patterns, intonation, and nonverbal communication cues. While we don’t currently have voice therapy at New Trails, we’re happy to help you find someone who can provide gender-affirming care in the area and we are always trying to learn more about how to make our therapy a safe space for individuals of all gender identities (ex: creating a supportive communication environment, using inclusive language, respecting individuals’ chosen names and pronouns, being aware of potential biases, and actively listening to clients’ concerns and goals).
How long does speech therapy take? The duration of speech therapy varies depending on the individual’s needs, severity of the communication disorder, and progress made during therapy. Some clients may see significant improvement in a few months, while others may require ongoing therapy over a longer period. The speech-language pathologist will work with the client and their family to establish goals and create a personalized treatment plan.
Is speech therapy covered by insurance? This entirely depends on your insurance plan. Insurance coverage can be complicated, but we’re available to provide some guidance. Many insurance plans provide coverage for certain speech therapy services, especially when it is deemed medically necessary. However, coverage varies depending on the insurance provider and the specific plan. New Trails Speech Therapy LLC is considered an “out of network provider” meaning we don’t bill your insurance company directly, however, it’s possible your insurance provides “out of network” benefits. Please check with your insurance company regarding coverage details and any possible out-of-pocket expenses. Ultimately it is your responsibility to communicate with your insurance company and confirm benefits/coverage, but we’re happy to work with you to get you the information you need to make informed decisions!
How do I schedule an appointment? To schedule an appointment with our speech therapy practice, you can contact us via phone, text, or email – contact us here. Initially, we will schedule a free 30-minute consultation. From there we’ll decide if a speech-language evaluation may be warranted or recommend further screening prior to conducting an evaluation. Once an evaluation is completed we will discuss scheduling based on recommended treatment intervals. We strive to accommodate our clients’ schedules and preferences to ensure convenient appointment times, but please note that afternoon/early evening appointments tend to fill up quickly. We kindly ask that if you’re able to accommodate other times of day that you do so to leave room for others who may not be able to.
Do you offer teletherapy services? Yes, we offer teletherapy services for New Jersey residents. Teletherapy (aka telepractice, aka virtual therapy) allows for convenient access to speech therapy services from the comfort of your own home, using secure and user-friendly video conferencing technology. View our Teletherapy Guide here.
What qualifications do Speech-Language Pathologists have? Speech-language pathologists are highly trained professionals with graduate-level degrees in speech-language pathology and licensure from state regulatory boards. New Trails Speech Therapy owner, Andrea Hamblen, is a fully licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of New Jersey, with an NJ State License and Speech-Language Specialist certification from the NJ department of education. She also carries certification from ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association), is BLS-certified (basic life support) through the American Heart Association, and continues to seek high-quality professional development beyond the minimum requirements for licensure.
Can I get progress updates on my child’s therapy? Absolutely! We believe in open communication and collaboration with our clients and their families. Your speech-language pathologist will provide regular progress updates, discuss therapy goals, and involve you in the treatment planning process. We encourage ongoing communication to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients. We are consistently tracking progress within sessions that inform our overall therapy plan.
What can I do at home for my child who is having communication difficulties? Fostering positive communication experiences at home can vastly extend and enhance a treatment plan. We can guide you to provide home-based strategies based on session goals or we have a full-fledged coaching program where we give parents/caregivers/communication partners individualized strategies to supporting your child or loved one’s communication journey.
New Trails Speech Therapy LLC 