Improving Communication, Empowering Lives
At Spark Therapy, our mission is to partner with you on your child’s journey to confident communication. We are dedicated to providing personalized, child-centered speech/language therapy and literacy services.
Our Story
At Spark Therapy we’re more than just speech therapists; we’re your partners on the journey to confident communication. With a passion for improving communication and empowering lives, our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective therapy services.
Our mission is simple: to help children of all ages overcome their speech, language or learning challenges and find their confidence. With a child-centered approach and individualized programs, we make it easy for you to take the first step toward a brighter future.
Building Confidence Through Clear Communication
Personalized Assessments
Get started with a thourough evaluation to identify your child’s specific needs.
Supportive Environment
We partner with parents to help them understand their child’s diagnosis and prognosis. We also provide strategies and activities to encourage family involvement and progress at home.
Progress Tracking
Therapy sessions designed to maximize progress using specialized programs and data driven practice.
Should I have my child evaluated?
Your child should be evaluated by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) any time that you, your pediatrician, or teachers have concerns in any of the following areas:
Understanding your child’s speech
Using age-appropriate sentence length
Answering questions
Following directions
Comprehending a story
Accurately expressing his/her thoughts and ideas
Following the social rules of communication
Stuttering/Fluency
Understanding letter/sound correspondence
Rhyming and/or manipulating sounds in words
Reading
Spelling
What We Do
Speech/Articulation
Articulation is the production of speech sounds. A child begins speaking between 9-12 months of age. Speech sound production develops and becomes more refined between ages 1-6. A general rule of thumb is that by age 2, a stranger should understand 50% of a child’s speech, 75% by age 3 and 100% by age 4. Articulation should be evaluated and treated at an early age to prevent frustration and potential reading issues.
Language
Language skills can be separated into receptive skills (what a child understands) and expressive skills (a child’s ability to express their thoughts, wants, and needs). Language development begins before birth and continues throughout childhood. A child with a receptive language impairment may have difficulty following directions, answering questions, comprehending an age-appropriate story or conversation or identifying vocabulary. A child with an expressive language impairment may not be speaking at all or may be using one or two word phrases when other children his/her age are using complete sentences. A child with an expressive language impairment may also struggle to use a variety of vocabulary words or effectively communicate their wants and needs. Children struggling with language development should be evaluated as early as possible since treatment is most effective in the early years.
Fluency
Fluency refers to stuttering or the uninterrupted flow of speech. Stuttering includes repetitions of sounds within words, repeating words multiple times within a sentence, or obvious pauses within a sentence or conversation. Many children stutter between 3-5 year of age as their language skills are developing at a rapid rate. This type of stuttering is normal and usually lasts a few months. Stuttering that persists longer than 6 months or causes great frustration should be evaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I have my child evaluated?
If you, your child’s pediatrician or teacher has concerns about their speech, language or learning, call us to discuss the concerns or to set up an appointment. Consultations are available free of charge.
How long does an evaluation take and what does it entail?
Evaluation times vary depending on the concerns being addressed as well as the child’s level of attention and cooperation. An evaluation includes a thorough assessment by the SLP using a standardized protocol as well as observation and family input. The family will be provided with a written report as well as time to meet with the SLP to discuss results and develop treatment goals if needed.
What is speech/language therapy?
Speech therapy is specialized treatment designed by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Individualized therapy goals are based on the results of a thorough evaluation of suspected delayed or impaired skills and always include parent input.
How will my child benefit from therapy?
Children experiencing speech, language or learning difficulties often feel frustrated. This can result in acting out or low self-esteem. Speech therapy is designed to be fun, but effective in improving speech, language, and/or literacy skills and usually results in decreased frustration and increased confidence.
How long will my child be in therapy?
Every child’s level of need and rate of progress is different. Progress is measured by detailed data obtained during every session. Speech therapy can last a few months to several years. At Spark, parents are encouraged to be a part of their child’s therapy when possible and are provided with activities to take home to assist with carryover of skills. Family involvement and home practice are proven to increase a child’s rate of progress.
Does insurance cover therapy?
Sometimes. Every insurance policy is different. Many companies pay for a limited number of sessions per calendar year or during a lifetime. Others do not cover speech/language therapy at all. Treatment for dyslexia or learning disorders is not covered by insurance.
Does Spark accept my insurance?
We do not accept insurance at this time. We do, however, provide a superbill monthly so that you may submit it to your insurance company for reimbursement. You will be provided with a Good Faith Estimate of what your services may cost after the initial evaluation.
Do I need a physician referral?
A physician’s order is only required when filing with insurance or submitting a superbill for re-imbursement.
Do you provide group therapy?
Yes, we have a few group options available. Depending on the need, we provide social groups, articulation groups and early language/pre-literacy groups.
Will you provide therapy at my child’s school?
When possible, we will provide services at private schools and preschools.
What Our Clients Have to Say
The progress we’ve seen in our son’s communication skills is incredible. He’s more confident and expressive now.
Sarah T., Proud Parent