FAQs

• What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

  A speech-language pathologist is a highly trained professional whose scope of practice includes the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders. A speech-language pathologist may address stuttering, problems with learning and literacy, voice problems, sound production or intelligibility issues, difficulties with second language acquisition and verbal expression, to name a few of examples of communication concerns. 

  A speech-language pathologist may work collaboratively with medical professionals within a hospital (i.e. otolaryngologists, developmental pediatrician), educational teams (i.e. psychologist, teacher, counselor, reading specialist) and other health professionals (i.e. audiologist).

  A speech-language pathologist may have a graduate level (master’s level) or doctorate level degree. An active state license is required and national certification by acquisition of Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) regulated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is preferred.

• What are the different types of communication disorders?

  Communication disorders are manifested in varying forms and may differ in its presentation depending the age of the client. The severity can range from mild to severe while the nature of the disorder can be acquired (due to injury) or developmental. The Association of Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines communication disorders as “an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems.”

  Communication disorders may occur in isolation or may be the primary disability of the client. It may also co-exist or co-occur with other more complex disabilities or disorders such as autism, stroke, traumatic brain injury, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dementia, mood disorders, Parkinson’s disease, learning disabilities, and executive function deficits.

  Communication Disorders may affect different areas. The areas are generally outlined below:

  • Oral Peripheral Mechanism Dysfunction- any type of difficulty relating to oral structures which include the mouth, tongue, mandible, soft palate, etc
    
    May be manifested as persisting tongue thrusting, cleft of lip and palate, oral weakness, low facial tone, drooling, difficulty coordinating the movements of oral structures for speaking or swallowing
  • Speech Disorder- relates to any impairment related to producing speech sounds, fluent speech or voice
    
    Articulation: may be manifested as poor speech quality or intelligibility, numerous errors with sound production, distortions of sounds
    
    Fluency: stuttering, cluttering, excessively low speech rate
    
    Voice: vocal hoarseness or harshness, hyponasal or hypernasal voice, pain with speaking or singing, difficulty with changing voice pitch or vocal loudness
  • Language Disorder- any difficulty associated with the understanding of spoken or written language as well as using verbal, written and other forms of language to express ideas and wants
    
    Receptive-may be observed as difficulty with following directions, problems with remembering what other's have said, frequently misinterpreting what was said, gets confused with words and wide vocabulary, and issues with understanding reading materials
    
    Expressive-may be reflected in speaking and writing. One may have trouble organizing words well in sentences, numerous grammatical errors, disorganized speech, frequent difficulty with remembering what to say or finding the right words to say
    
    Pragmatics or Social Skills- refers to the use of language in a variety of social interactions. One may have difficulty with making and keeping friends, poor understanding of social expectations at school and home, wanting to socialize but does not seem to understand how, or frequently says/does inappropriate things that offends others

• What can I expect after I schedule an appointment?

  Expect to hear from us.

  You will receive a call from Daylinda to further discuss your request for services and obtain information that would be helpful for the assessment. Case history forms will be emailed or mailed out to you prior to the session.

  An evaluation plan will be developed around this time to see if a specific-are evaluation would appropriate or if a global comprehensive assessment is necessary.

  The ultimate goal is to have our clients do their best during the assessment. If you are aware of certain conditions (ex. time of day, temperature level, day of the week) and/or need for accommodations/modifications (ex. availability of water, snack; bringing favorite comfort toy, reducing distractions in the room) that can help the client do well in a testing situation, please do not hesitate to let Daylinda know.

• What methods of payment does Speech Therapy Solutions Montana accept?

  We will gladly accept insurance payments and are currently in the process of becoming an in-network service provider for Montana Medicaid, Allegiance, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. We also accept private-pay clients. Checks or cash are preferred as of this time.

• Do I need to bring anything for the assessment?

  • Do check your insurance coverage and bring insurance card
     

  Clients and families are advised to review their insurance coverage prior to the scheduled appointment so as to be aware of their co-pay and what type of speech-language related services are covered by their provider.

  • Do bring copies of assessment reports completed by other professional relevant to the chief complaint
     

  These may include but not limited to the following: previous speech & language evaluations or therapy notes, psychological or neuropsychological reports, hearing test results, occupational therapy notes, academic testing, and IEP or Individualized Education Plan.

  If you are unsure on what to bring, don't hesitate to ask.

  • Do bring assistive or augmentative devices typically used by the client
     

  These may be as low-tech as a pen and paper or more sophisticated like a speech device or I-pad. If the client wears corrective glasses or hearing aids, these should also be added to the must bring list.

• I am scheduled for an assessment. How long does this usually take?

  The duration of an assessment usually depends on the bulk of information and number of speech-language areas being assessed. It also can be influenced by the client’s age, type of disability and behavioral factors (i.e. attention, compliance, motivation).

  Global speech-language assessments may require several sessions to complete for approximately 1 hour to 1 ½ hour each appointment.  Specific-area evaluations may be completed in one session.

• What usually happens during an assessment?

  Several process documents and paperwork are completed prior to the assessment, we advise that the client and their family arrive 15 minutes early. Parents or caregivers are expected to stay at the facility during their scheduled appointment as their assistance and input may be required during the assessment.

  The evaluation plan will be reviewed by Daylinda with the client and family. Additional clinical interview questions may be asked prior to test administration.

  For children younger than three years old, assessment procedures may include play assessments, observation of functional skills, parent interview and informal language probes.

  Clients age three and up will usually involve more formal or standardized language measures. However, other alternative methods will be considered by the clinician if certain factors make it difficult for the client to participate in formal assessment measures.

  Upon completion of the assessment procedures, Daylinda will provide the clients and their families a re-cap of what transpired during the session and future scheduling options if needed.

• What happens next once the speech-language assessment is complete?

  The speech-language assessment report is usually released approximately 2 weeks following the completion of all testing procedures. A copy may be emailed or mailed to you and a phone or clinical consult will be conducted to discuss the results and recommendations. If you signed a release form so that other professionals or individuals may receive a copy, the copy will be sent out upon completion of the phone or clinical consult with Daylinda.

• Speech Therapy is recommended. What are my options?

  Speech therapy intervention or programming is individualized and developed based on client’s communication disorder, severity of deficits, and other factors. We strive to make recommendations and service delivery models that are based on research and evidenced-based data.

  Individual speech therapy is available as well as group therapy options. Group therapy may be an option if there is another client who has needs similar to yours.

  Special programming may also be offered during the summer. Social skills camps, artic groups, and early intervention preschool activities, aphasia groups and other camps may be considered. Please let us know if you have specific intervention groups or camps that you would like to have during the summer.

• I would like for the Speech Therapy Solutions Montana specialist to attend my son’s IEP meeting or conduct a mini-inservice for his special education team. How do I initiate that?

  Support services to clients and families are definitely available. The professional fee is charged based on an hourly basis and is typically not covered by insurance. For more specifics regarding out-of-facility consultation and in-service training options, please contact us directly.

• How do I cancel or re-schedule my appointment?

  If you need to cancel or re-schedule your appointment, a minimum of 24-hour notice is requested. You may email us at dradley@speechtherapymontana.com or call (406) 438-3434.

• My partner or child has a weekly speech therapy session with Daylinda. Is it ok for me to leave him/her there and come back around the time the session ends?

  Speech Therapy Solutions Montana values the role of family members and parents in the process of intervention. Family/parent education and active involvement during direct speech therapy sessions is strongly recommended. Please refrain from leaving the facility during the client’s speech therapy session.

• How will I know if my child or partner is making any progress?

  Weekly post-session updates will be informally discussed by Daylinda during the last 10-15 minutes of the therapy session. Weekly homework or assigned follow-up activities will also be given around this time. Written progress notes will also be released to families every 3 months of continued therapy.