How to Find a Speech Therapist for Your Child (or Yourself)
Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP
Families may look into how to find a speech therapist for various reasons. Some get a speech therapy referral from their doctor or pediatrician. Others may notice their child struggling to communicate or falling behind others their age.
When you’re ready to seek support, it’s time to choose a speech-language pathologist (SLP), also known as a speech therapist. Picking the right speech therapist isn’t always easy. You'll need to consider your child's unique needs, the therapist's qualifications, and your budget and schedule.
This guide will help you feel confident in your search for a speech therapist for yourself or your child. Let’s dive in!
In this article:
1What is a speech therapist vs an SLP?
25 places to find a speech therapist for yourself or your child
3Private vs at-school speech therapy options
45 tips to find the right speech therapist for your child
5Choosing online vs in-person speech therapy
6Find a speech therapist with confidence
What is a speech therapist vs. an SLP?
Before we talk about what to consider when choosing a speech therapist, let’s clear up two key terms. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a speech therapist are actually two names for the same thing. “SLP” is the formal term, typically used in professional or clinical contexts. “Speech therapist” is a more common term that people may use in everyday conversation.
Speech therapists (or SLPs) are trained professionals who help with speech, language, communication, and swallowing issues. A speech pathologist or therapist needs a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as communication sciences. They must also pass a national certification exam and apply for a license from their state.
5 places to find a speech therapist for yourself or your child
Finding a speech therapist might feel overwhelming, but here are five of the best places to start your search:
Contact Expressable: Expressable offers speech therapy online to children and adults all over the U.S. After a free consultation, we match you with a therapist based on your needs and availability (including evenings and weekends).
Ask your doctor or pediatrician: Ask your healthcare provider or pediatrician if they can refer you to a local speech therapist. They often know the best SLPs in your area.
Check with your insurance company: If you have insurance, ask your provider. Call the number on the back of your card to ask about coverage for speech therapy. They may also suggest speech therapy providers in your network.
Search online directories: Websites like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) can connect you with a long list of speech therapists (and audiologists, if you need one). You can search by location and specialty.
Look into college programs: You could check out local colleges with audiology or speech therapy programs. You can receive a diagnosis and treatment from a student under the supervision of a licensed therapist. While this can be a much more affordable option, note that your child may work with a roster of different students.
Private vs. at-school speech therapy options
There are two main settings where children receive speech therapy: in their school or through a private practice. Each location has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at both so you can make the best decision for your family.
School-based speech therapy
Speech therapy in a school is often the least expensive option. School speech therapists can work closely with a child’s teachers, which is another benefit. But some schools are short on staff or resources. This could mean long wait times and inconsistent schedules.
Most importantly, your child may not receive one-on-one therapy. Because so many children receive speech and language therapy at school, speech therapists often hold group sessions with several children, all with varying needs. Parents and caregivers may not be kept updated on what their child is learning in therapy and how to help them at home.
If you’re not sure about school-based speech therapy, it’s worth exploring private practice options. Many kids who go to school-based therapy also attend private speech therapy.
Private speech therapy
There are many advantages to private speech therapy. First, your child will get personalized attention and support from your speech therapist. The therapist will tailor instructions to your child’s communication strengths and goals.
Private speech therapy also allows you as a parent to develop a strong relationship with your child’s therapist. This makes it easier to stay informed on your child’s progress. Your speech therapist should give you strategies to support your child at home, which can help them improve faster.
Note that speech therapy services at a private clinic may cost more. But if you have insurance, your coverage could lower these costs.
5 tips to find the right speech therapist for your child
There are many wonderful speech therapists out there. The key is to find one that’s right for your family. At the end of the day, you should feel confident that your speech therapist has the skills to improve your child's communication.
The tips below will help you find (and choose) the best speech therapist possible for your child.
1 Know your child’s speech therapy needs
Speech therapists treat a wide range of speech and language disorders. That’s why it’s important to find one with the right skills and experience for your child’s needs.
When choosing a speech therapist, consider if they have experience treating the issue your child is struggling with. Common conditions that speech therapists treat include:
Pediatric speech delay
Articulation disorders
Voice disorders
Dysphagia
Stuttering
Aphasia
Apraxia
You’ll also want to consider your child’s age and any coexisting conditions. Some therapists specialize in early language development for toddlers. Others focus on helping school-aged kids, teenagers, or even adults. If your child has other conditions like autism or a brain injury, it’s also important to find a speech therapist who has experience with those needs.
Need help identifying your child's unique speech therapy needs? Get started with Expressable’s free screener here. This short questionnaire will help you understand your child’s communication challenges and strengths, so you can find the right speech therapist for your family.
2 Check your SLP’s credentials and reviews
Make sure your speech therapist is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This shows they have met rigorous education and clinical standards.
Next, check reviews for any speech therapist you’re considering. Reviews from other parents can tell you how the therapist works and communicates. Reviews also highlight the speech therapist's success with children like yours. This can help you feel more confident in your decision.
Considering online speech therapy? Check out Expressable’s reviews here and learn about other parents’ experiences.
3 Find a therapist who encourages parental involvement
Speech therapy works best when caregivers join in. In fact, numerous research studies show that when parents and caregivers get involved, their children make much more progress in speech therapy. One study even found that parents were just as effective at helping their child as speech therapists were.
This makes sense because your child will likely only see their speech therapist for a short time each week. In contrast, they probably see you every day. The best speech therapists recognize this and encourage parental involvement.
Your speech therapist should show you simple ways to work practice into mealtime, playtime, or bedtime routines. With the right home practice strategies, you and your speech therapist can work together to help your child build their communication skills faster!
Make home practice even easier. Expressable therapists assign home practice activities after every session. Every Expressable client receives access to our unique online client portal packed with resources, including tips, videos, and activities. Sign up for a free consultation to learn more about speech therapy at Expressable here!
4 Consider insurance and cost
Speech therapy is often covered by insurance, so be sure to ask potential SLPs if they accept your provider. Many speech therapists work with major insurance providers, but coverage varies widely by plan.
What if you don’t have insurance? Ask about out-of-pocket costs and whether they offer payment plans. Understanding costs upfront will allow you to make an informed decision about your or your child’s care.
5 Look for a speech therapist who fits your schedule
Consistency is important in speech therapy. Look for a therapist who has flexible hours, such as evening and weekend appointments. These options are perfect for professionals and busy families. If it’s hard to make it to an office, consider online speech therapy. You can attend sessions from the comfort of your home with just an internet connection.
Choosing online vs. in-person speech therapy
Not long ago, speech therapy required clients and therapists to be in the same room. Today, telehealth allows us to choose how we receive health care services, including speech therapy.
However, where you have speech therapy isn't nearly as important as your relationship with your SLP, as well as how involved you are as a parent or caregiver. In fact, research has shown that online speech therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy.
So how do you decide what’s best? Keep reading to discover the pros and cons of both in-person and online speech therapy, so you can make the right choice for your family.
In-person speech therapy
Many speech therapists take clients in person at a local office. While this is a great fit for some families, others might find it challenging to commit to a weekly in-person appointment.
In-person speech therapy may be a good choice for people with:
High needs: Some people need more intensive therapy that requires a hands-on approach, such as certain feeding and swallowing issues.
Multidisciplinary therapy: For example, if a child is also receiving occupational therapy (OT) or physical therapy (PT), it can be convenient to have sessions in the same building.
That said, there are some downsides to in-person speech therapy:
Getting there: If you choose in-office speech therapy, you have to spend time and money on transportation. Bad weather or traffic can add extra stress.
Finding time: You have to go when the speech therapist’s office is open. It might be hard to fit sessions around your job, school, and family life.
Lack of caregiver involvement: If you’re short on time, it can be tough to join your child’s in-person appointments. That means you’ll miss the chance to get involved with your child’s care and learn strategies for at-home practice. As we discussed earlier, this can delay your child’s progress.
Online speech therapy
Online speech therapy works just as well as traditional, in-person care. The only difference is that you use video conferencing software. Online speech therapy also offers these benefits:
Easy caregiver involvement: It's easy for parents and caregivers to attend online speech therapy with their child. You can form a relationship with the therapist, track your child's progress, and learn how to help them practice. When you practice the techniques your child is learning with them at home, between sessions, it leads to faster progress!
Convenience: No commute time needed! Simply turn on the computer or tablet, and your therapy session can begin.
Flexible scheduling: Online speech therapy is often available in the evening or on weekends. That means you won’t have to miss work, skip after-school activities, or rearrange your schedule to get your child to their speech therapy appointment.
Home environment: Children are often more comfortable at home, where their favorite toys and activities can be used during sessions.
Some downsides to consider include:
Technology needs: For online speech therapy, you need to have a reliable internet connection.
Lack of hands-on help: The speech therapist can’t physically guide your mouth movements or use special tools. (They use other cues instead.)
If you choose online speech therapy, make sure you find a speech therapist who’s experienced with teletherapy. Online speech therapists need to know how to keep children engaged in a virtual setting. For example, they might play interactive computer games, use fun screen backgrounds, or give your child remote access to draw on a virtual whiteboard. They should also know how to involve parents and coach them on therapy techniques, as described above.
Not sure how to find a good online speech therapist for yourself or your child? Expressable makes it easy to find a licensed speech therapist that meets your needs. Sign up for a free speech therapy consultation here!
Find a speech therapist with confidence
When you find the right speech therapist, you take a big step toward improving your or your child’s communication skills and quality of life. Consider credentials, insurance options, and scheduling flexibility to make an informed decision. Don’t forget to trust your instincts and ask questions throughout the process, too.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation with Expressable to find the best speech therapist for your or your child’s unique needs.
