Helpful Information

At Northern Star Therapy, we are proud to be in-network with Anthem BCBS, Tricare (as an Out-of-Network provider), Medical Mutual, and OhioHealthy. We are also in the process of becoming credentialed with Aetna. As a courtesy to our families, we are happy to submit charges for services directly to your insurance company on your behalf.

However, it is important for each family to take the time to fully understand the coverage and policies of their specific insurance plan. Not all insurance companies cover outpatient speech therapy, and for those that do, benefits can vary with some plans offering limited coverage.

In addition to insurance coverage, we also offer a private pay option. If you are paying privately, please inquire about our prompt-pay discount, which can help make therapy more affordable.

We encourage all families to check with their insurance carriers to ensure they are fully informed about their benefits and any potential costs associated with therapy services. We're here to assist you and ensure a smooth process for your family.

At Northern Star Therapy, we strive to make the insurance process as smooth as possible for our clients. As a courtesy, we contact your insurance company on your behalf to verify your coverage, check for any policy exclusions, and identify your financial responsibilities for therapy services.

However, we believe it’s important for families to stay fully informed about their insurance coverage. For this reason, we always recommend that families also contact their insurance carrier directly to verify their benefits. This ensures that you have all the necessary information regarding your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.

We are here to assist you every step of the way, but it's essential to double-check with your insurer to avoid any surprises.

On average, therapy sessions at Northern Star Therapy last 30 minutes, although this may vary depending on the age of the child and the severity of the speech or language delay or disorder. For most children, a 30-minute session combined with additional home programming is recommended to reinforce skills learned during therapy.

However, we understand that attention spans can vary significantly between individuals. Following the initial evaluation, your speech therapist will use their clinical judgment to recommend the most appropriate session length for your child. The goal is to ensure that each session is both effective and engaging, while also promoting progress in therapy.

The frequency of therapy plays a crucial role in achieving successful outcomes for your child. The ideal frequency is determined by factors such as the extent of the child’s delay or disorder, their age, attention span, and what fits best with each family’s schedule.

The standard recommendation is typically one 30-minute session per week. However, this may vary depending on the type of therapy the child is receiving and their level of compliance with recommended home exercises and activities.

It’s important to note that if the therapy schedule is not frequent or intensive enough, progress may be slower. For children with more significant delays or disorders, a more frequent schedule might be necessary to ensure meaningful progress. Your speech therapist will work closely with your family to determine the most effective plan of care tailored to your child's specific needs.

At Northern Star Therapy, we understand that every individual’s journey in speech therapy is unique. The duration of therapy depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Severity of the delay or disorder: More complex challenges may require longer intervention.

• Level of motivation: A motivated individual is more likely to actively participate and engage in therapy.

• Consistency and compliance: Regular attendance and following through with recommendations are crucial.

• Practice outside of therapy: Incorporating learned skills into daily routines significantly impacts progress.

We pride ourselves on creating tailored treatment plans to meet each individual’s specific needs. While we provide the tools and guidance in therapy sessions, progress also depends on how much practice occurs outside the therapy setting. Together, with effort from all involved, meaningful progress can be achieved!

At Northern Star Therapy, we strive to provide affordable options for all of our patients.

Insurance Plans:
We accept several private insurance plans. If your insurance is accepted, you will be responsible for your deductible, coinsurance, or copayment based on your plan.

Private Pay Options:
For individuals who are uninsured or do not have speech therapy benefits, we offer prompt pay (same-day) discounts for private pay services.

Current Rates:
Evaluations: $300
Treatment Sessions: $90 per 30-minute session
Groups: Rates vary

If you plan to pay privately, please inquire about available discounts for evaluations and treatment sessions. We’re happy to discuss options to make our services as accessible as possible

The answer to this question can be both yes and no. While some speech and language errors are perfectly normal at certain developmental stages, others may not be.

Typical Errors:
If your child is demonstrating age-appropriate articulation or language errors, chances are they may grow out of them naturally as they develop.

Atypical Errors:
Not all errors are typical. Some processes or patterns should resolve by a specific age, and when they don’t, intervention may be necessary.

A skilled Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can assess your child’s speech and determine whether their errors are typical for their age or require professional intervention. It’s important to note that atypical error patterns rarely resolve without support and can impact communication, social interactions, and education.

If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, it’s best to have them evaluated by an SLP. Early intervention can make a significant difference!

At Northern Star Therapy, we believe in partnering with parents and caregivers to ensure the best outcomes for your child. We are committed to keeping you informed about your child’s progress through:

Session and Progress Updates:
Updates are provided either in person or in written form, based on your preference.

Session Observation:
Parents are welcome to observe therapy sessions. Whether you observe or not, the final 5 minutes of each session are reserved for clean-up, a brief wrap-up, and consultation with the parent or caregiver.

If you require more detailed feedback or additional time for discussion, we encourage you to schedule a separate meeting with your therapist to address your concerns. This ensures we can dedicate uninterrupted time to answer your questions and provide comprehensive support.

Your involvement is key to your child’s success, and we value your partnership in this journey!

It’s natural to wonder whether your child is meeting developmental milestones, especially in the early years. While every child develops at their own pace, there are general guidelines that can help you determine when to seek support from a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

Consider contacting an SLP if your child:

By 12 months:
Is not babbling, pointing, or making gestures like waving.
Does not respond to their name or show interest in sounds around them.

By 18 months:
Says fewer than 10 words.
Does not follow simple directions (e.g., “Come here”).
Struggles to imitate sounds or words.

By 24 months:
Has a vocabulary of fewer than 50 words.
Is not combining two words (e.g., “want cookie”).
Is difficult to understand, even by familiar people.

Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s communication development. If you have concerns, it’s better to act sooner rather than later. A skilled SLP can assess your child’s skills, provide reassurance, and offer strategies to support their growth. It’s important to remember that evaluations are often recommended to rule out any potential issues. Even if no problem is found, knowing your child is developing appropriately can provide invaluable peace of mind. If you’re unsure, trust your instincts and consult a professional— acting early is always better than waiting.

While technology has made it easier for teachers, parents, and students to access activities that support learning, it’s important to understand the limitations of these tools.

Lack of Comprehensive Assessment:
Apps and DIY programs cannot provide a detailed evaluation of your child’s abilities or identify the underlying cause of a specific speech or language disorder.

Missing Subtle Modifications:
These programs lack the ability to make the personalized, subtle adjustments needed to address each individual’s unique challenges effectively.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) undergo 6–8 years of specialized education focused on understanding the building blocks of speech and language development that occur in the brain. They are trained to identify, assess, and treat these differences on an individual basis.

Just as we are cautioned against self-diagnosing medical conditions, parents and caregivers should be cautious in relying on apps, videos, or generic programs as substitutes for professional guidance. While these tools can supplement therapy, they cannot replace the expertise and tailored interventions provided by a licensed SLP.

If you’re concerned about your child’s development, consulting with a professional is always the best step toward meaningful progress

While school-based Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are highly skilled and dedicated professionals, their services are governed by state and school district regulations that may limit the scope of therapy provided.

Eligibility for School-Based Services:
To receive school-based speech therapy, a child must qualify by meeting state criteria on standardized assessments. Additionally, the SLP must document how the impairment directly impacts the child’s academic performance. Unfortunately, this means many children with speech or language challenges may not qualify, particularly those who function at levels deemed too high or too low.

Therapy Setting and Goals:
School-based therapy is often delivered in a group setting, focusing on helping children access their education. In contrast, private therapy is typically conducted one-on-one, providing the child with undivided attention and significantly more opportunities to practice target skills. The primary goal in private therapy is to help the child master communication goals as efficiently as possible.

Privacy and Confidentiality:
School-based services require the development of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, which becomes part of the child’s permanent educational record and is accessible to school staff. Private therapy, however, is bound by HIPAA regulations, ensuring complete confidentiality and privacy.

Efficiency of Treatment:
Studies have shown that children often complete private speech therapy more quickly than school-based services, as private therapy can be more intensive and tailored to individual needs. Many families choose to combine both options, and at Northern Star Therapy, we are happy to collaborate with school-based therapists (with written authorization) to create the most effective treatment plan.

All private, one-on-one sessions are conducted at our office:
48 Church St, Bellville, OH 44813 (inside St. Paul Lutheran Church).

Our practice specializes in working with children from birth to 12 years of age.