Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take insurance?
Our practice operates out-of-network with insurance, which allows us to offer more flexibility and individualized care. We can tailor session length, frequency, and activities to meet your child’s unique needs without the restrictions that some insurance plans impose. We’re happy to provide a monthly Superbill along with step-by-step instructions so you can submit it to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, giving you both convenience and support.
How do you charge for your services?
Fees depend on the type and length of therapy provided for your child. For current rates or more information, please contact us.
All payments are processed through Square Appointments via electronic check-out at the end of each session. During your initial appointment and intake, you may choose to enroll in automatic payments or receive invoices sent to your preferred email after each session.
How do I know if my child needs an evaluation?
Many people think of speech therapy as just correcting sounds like “R” or “TH,” or helping a child who stutters. While these are common concerns, Speech and Language Pathology addresses many other areas of communication.
Your child may benefit from a comprehensive speech and language evaluation if you notice challenges in:
Speech clarity: How understandable your child’s speech is to others
Communication skills: Using words to express needs and ideas at home, school, or in the community
Storytelling and details: Explaining events, describing experiences, or sharing stories
Listening and comprehension: Understanding and recalling what they hear from caregivers or teachers
Social communication: Interacting with family, peers, or in group settings
Language understanding: Grasping written or spoken words and concepts
If you’re unsure whether your child’s skills are on track, you can review developmental norms to compare typical expectations for their age.
A speech and language evaluation can help identify strengths, areas for growth, and the best strategies to support your child’s communication.
What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?
Yes! There are key differences in duration, detail, and purpose between a screening and a full evaluation.
Screening:
Typically 15–30 minutes
Gathers general information to see if further assessment is needed
Observes your child in familiar settings, such as speaking with siblings or playing with a parent
Helps identify potential areas of concern quickly
Evaluation:
Typically 60–90 minutes
A comprehensive assessment across multiple areas
For example, when evaluating language, your child may be assessed on comprehension, syntax, and expressive vocabulary
Provides detailed information to guide individualized therapy planning
Both screenings and evaluations rely on clinical judgment and evidence-based practice to determine the next steps for supporting your child’s speech and language development.
What should I expect during my child’s evaluation?
At Utter Success, LLC, we provide in-home, community-based, and telehealth speech therapy evaluations for children in Richmond Hill, Wilmington Island, Bryan County, Savannah, and surrounding Coastal Georgia areas, as well as online sessions for children in Georgia, California, Utah, and Oregon.
During the evaluation, your child may:
Engage in play or interactive activities with the clinician or caregiver
Participate in language-building activities with toys, music, or familiar materials
Complete structured tasks such as prompts, pictures, or questions to assess speech and language skills
We collect background information during a brief phone consultation prior to the evaluation. Most evaluations focus on your child’s individual areas of need and typically take 60–90 minutes.
For teletherapy sessions, ensure a quiet, well-lit space with minimal distractions, and have any favorite toys, books, or materials ready to help your child engage.
Learn more about how to prepare for your child’s Teletherapy evaluation/session.
What types of services does Utter Success provide?
We offer a full range of speech and language therapy services for children, both in-person in Coastal Georgia and via telehealth across Georgia, California, Utah, and Oregon.
Our services include:
Articulation Therapy: Improving individual speech sounds for clearer communication
Phonological Therapy: Addressing patterns of sound errors in words
Written Language Support: Assisting with reading comprehension and written expression
Language Therapy: Supporting both receptive (understanding) and expressive (using language to communicate thoughts and feelings) skills
Pragmatic / Social Communication Therapy: Helping children and adults navigate social interactions and communication in daily life
How long will my child need Speech Therapy?
At Utter Success, the duration of speech and language therapy is tailored to each child’s unique needs. Factors that influence therapy length include:
The severity and impact of speech or language challenges
Your child’s progress and participation in sessions
Family involvement, including practicing skills at home
Parent or caregiver participation is highly encouraged. Being present during sessions allows you to:
Observe therapy techniques firsthand
Learn how to support skill practice at home
Reinforce new speech and language skills across daily routines and environments
We take into careful consideration your child’s zone of proximal development, as well as their daily routines, familiar settings, and interactions with communication partners. By incorporating therapy into natural contexts, we help children make efficient and meaningful progress.
We know that both your time and your child’s time are valuable. Our goal is to make each session as productive as possible using evidence-based strategies, combined with at-home practice, so your child can achieve measurable improvements in speech, language, and overall communication skills.
What if my child was already evaluated?
If your child has had a comprehensive speech and language evaluation completed within the past 12 months by another provider, that report can often be used to guide assessment and treatment planning at our practice.
If you plan to use a previous evaluation in place of completing a new one, please email a copy of the report to SLP@uttersuccess.com at least three business days prior to your initial session.
Should I be present during my child’s Speech Therapy sessions?
Yes! Parent or caregiver involvement is highly encouraged and plays a critical role in your child’s success. Being present during sessions allows you to:
Observe therapy techniques and strategies firsthand
Learn how to support skill practice at home
Reinforce new speech and language skills across daily routines
Active participation in both in-session activities and at-home practice helps your child make faster progress and generalize new skills across settings, including home, school, and community.
What if my child is already receiving Speech Therapy at school?
If your child is currently receiving speech or language services at school, Utter Success Speech Therapy can provide additional, specialized support tailored to your child’s unique needs. Private services are designed to complement, not replace school-based therapy, while helping your child make more efficient progress.
Some of the benefits include:
Immediate evaluation of current skills and progress, without long wait times
Focused one-on-one sessions (versus group-based services often provided in schools)
More flexibility for increased frequency or longer session durations when appropriate
Individual weekly check-ins and personalized home-practice activities
No disruption to daily academic activities, as sessions are scheduled outside of school hours
Targeted, individualized goals based on your priorities and concerns
Greater consistency and continuity of care, even during school breaks or staffing changes
These supports can help maximize progress, potentially improving long-term outcomes and, in some cases, reducing the overall duration of therapy.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how private therapy can complement school-based services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Where can I learn more about parents coaching for parents of late-talkers?
If you’re interested in parent coaching for late talkers, we’re here to help. These sessions are designed to support you in building your child’s communication skills through everyday routines and interactions.
To learn more or get started, please contact us. We’re happy to answer any questions and discuss how parent coaching can support your child’s language development.
What does the abbreviation CCC-SLP mean?
CCC-SLP is a professional credential that appears after a Speech-Language Pathologist’s name. It stands for Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology.
This credential indicates that the clinician has:
Completed a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology
Successfully finished a supervised Clinical Fellowship (typically a full-time, 9-month experience)
Met rigorous national standards for knowledge and clinical skills
Passed a national certification exam
The CCC-SLP credential is awarded by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and is widely recognized as the gold standard in the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
Maintaining this certification also requires ongoing continuing education, ensuring that clinicians stay up to date with current research and best practices.
For additional information about certification and credentialing, please visit ASHA’s website.