Frequently Asked Questions
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Children develop communication skills at different rates, but there are some signs that may indicate your child could benefit from speech therapy. These may include:
-Not using words by around 18 months
-Difficulty combining words into short phrases by age 2–3
-Trouble pronouncing sounds clearly for their age
-Difficulty understanding directions or questions
-Limited vocabulary compared to peers
-Frustration when trying to communicate
-Challenges with social communication, such as taking turns in conversation or making eye contact
-Stuttering or noticeable disruptions in speech flow
If you have concerns about your child’s communication or language development, it’s always okay to seek guidance. Early support can help children build strong communication skills and confidence.
We provide pediatric speech therapy in Rochester, NY as well as virtual speech therapy across New York and South Carolina, along with parent coaching to help families support communication at home.
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Yes. Our practice provides pediatric speech therapy for children with autism in Rochester, NY. Speech therapy can support communication in many forms, including developing spoken language, using gestures or alternative communication methods, understanding language, and building social communication skills.
Therapy is individualized based on each child’s strengths, interests, and communication style. Sessions may focus on expanding vocabulary, improving understanding of language, supporting conversation skills, and helping children communicate their needs more effectively in everyday situations.
In addition to in-person pediatric speech therapy in Rochester, NY, teletherapy services are available for families across New York and South Carolina. Parent coaching is also offered to help caregivers support their child’s communication at home and in daily routines.
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The first speech therapy session is typically focused on getting to know your child and understanding their communication strengths and challenges. During this visit, the speech-language pathologist may observe how your child communicates through play, conversation, and simple activities.
Parents or caregivers will also be asked questions about your child’s development, communication skills, and any concerns you may have. This helps the therapist understand your child’s needs and create an individualized plan for therapy.
For younger children, the session is often play-based and designed to help your child feel comfortable while the therapist observes speech, language, and social communication skills.
By the end of the session, you can expect to discuss:
Your child’s communication strengths and areas that may need support
Whether speech therapy is recommended
Goals for therapy if services begin
Ways parents can support communication at home
The goal of the first session is to create a comfortable environment while gathering the information needed to support your child’s communication development.
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Speech therapy services are typically provided on a private-pay basis. However, I make it easier for families to seek reimbursement from their insurance by providing superbills after sessions. A superbill is a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company to request possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.
Many families with out-of-network benefits are able to receive reimbursement for pediatric speech therapy services.
If you’re unsure whether your insurance plan covers out-of-network speech therapy, I’m happy to help guide you on what questions to ask your provider so you can better understand your benefits.
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The length of speech therapy varies depending on each child’s needs, goals, and how consistently strategies are used at home. Some children benefit from short-term support to address a specific concern, while others may participate in therapy for a longer period as they build communication skills over time.
During the first few sessions, I work with families to understand their child’s strengths and challenges and develop individualized goals. Progress is regularly monitored, and therapy plans are adjusted as children develop new skills.
My goal is always to support children in building communication skills that help them succeed in their everyday environments at home, school, and in the community.
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Choosing the right speech therapist is an important step in supporting your child’s communication development. Start by looking for a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) with experience working with children and addressing the specific communication challenges your child may be facing.
It can also be helpful to consider a few key factors:
Experience with your child’s needs, such as speech delays, language development, autism, or social communication
Approach to therapy, including whether sessions are play-based and tailored to your child’s interests
Parent involvement, since the most effective speech therapy often includes strategies families can use at home
Communication and comfort, ensuring your child feels supported and engaged during sessions
Location and service options, such as in-person speech therapy or teletherapy
Many parents find it helpful to schedule a consultation or initial session to see if the therapist is a good fit for their child and family.
At our practice, we provide pediatric speech therapy in Rochester, NY along with teletherapy services across New York and South Carolina, with a focus on individualized support and parent coaching to help children build communication skills in everyday life.
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I provide pediatric speech and language therapy for children in Rochester, NY, along with teletherapy services for families across New York and South Carolina. My goal is to help children build strong communication skills while also supporting parents with practical strategies they can use in everyday routines.
Services I offer include:
Speech and language evaluations to better understand your child’s communication strengths and areas that may need support
Pediatric speech therapy for children with speech sound delays, language delays, or difficulty understanding or expressing language
Support for social communication to help children develop conversation and interaction skills
AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) support for children who benefit from additional tools to communicate
Parent coaching to help caregivers support their child’s communication at home and in daily routines
I work with toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Services are available in person in the Rochester, NY area, and virtual speech therapy sessions are available across New York and South Carolina.
If you have questions about your child’s communication or are wondering whether speech therapy may be helpful, you can reach out to learn more or schedule a consultation.
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If you are looking for a certified speech-language pathologist in Rochester, NY, you can start by searching for a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in pediatric speech and language development. Many families choose to work with a private practice that offers personalized support and guidance for both children and parents.
At our practice, Devann Lowe, M.S., CCC-SLP provides pediatric speech therapy in Rochester, NY for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Services focus on helping children build communication, language, and social interaction skills through individualized therapy and parent coaching.
In addition to in-person speech therapy in Rochester, teletherapy services are also available for families across New York and South Carolina.
If you are concerned about your child’s communication or language development, you can reach out to schedule a consultation to learn more about whether speech therapy may be helpful for your child.
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Children can benefit from speech therapy at many different ages, but early support can make a big difference. Many families begin speech therapy during the toddler and preschool years when speech and language skills are rapidly developing.
If a child is not using words by around 18 months, not combining words by age 2–3, or has difficulty understanding or expressing language, it may be helpful to speak with a speech-language pathologist. Early speech therapy can help children build communication skills, reduce frustration, and support confidence when interacting with others.
I provide pediatric speech therapy in Rochester, NY for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, along with parent coaching to help families support communication development at home.
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Some toddlers who start talking later than their peers do eventually catch up, but it can be difficult to know which children will grow out of a delay and which may continue to struggle with communication.
If a toddler has a limited vocabulary, difficulty combining words, or trouble understanding language, it can be helpful to consult a speech-language pathologist for guidance. Speech therapy can support language development during this important stage and give parents strategies to encourage communication during everyday routines.
Many families find that early support helps children develop stronger communication skills and confidence as they grow.
Still have questions?
Contact us, and we will be happy to answer your questions!