The Speech & Language Center is excited to welcome our first Occupational Therapist, Felice Mendez, OTD, OTR/L. Learn how occupational therapy expands our whole-child approach to supporting children and families.

Learn what it takes to become a speech-language pathologist and why The Speech & Language Center is proud to mentor the next generation of SLPs.

At The Speech & Language Center, we believe some of the best learning happens during the moments that don't look like learning at all.

We hope this guide inspires your family to get outside, explore our wonderful communities, and make plenty of memories this summer.

Learn why seasonal transitions can be challenging for children and how speech-language therapy can support communication, executive functioning, social skills, and emotional regulation through times of change.

We like to reframe the idea of being “behind.” Every child develops at their own pace. Summer support isn’t about fixing—it’s about setting your child up with the tools they need to thrive.

Even a short period of targeted support can make a meaningful difference.

Kindergarten readiness isn’t just about knowing letters and numbers—it’s about being able to connect, communicate, and confidently navigate a new environment.

If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from extra support this summer, trust your instincts. Early support can make the transition smoother—for everyone.

If you’ve ever searched for “private speech therapy near me,” chances are you’re noticing something about your child’s communication that doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe your toddler isn’t talking yet, your preschooler is hard to understand, or your school-age child struggles with language, social communication, or reading. Or maybe it for you and you are an adult who struggles with communication or voice problems.

Understanding the limitations of “free” therapy doesn’t mean that all private therapy is better or that insurance-based services aren’t valuable. It simply helps families choose the best option based on their goals, needs, and desired pace of progress.

Many speech therapy practices offer only 30-minute or highly limited sessions. At our practice, we intentionally structure most of our therapy for 60 minutes because it allows us to support meaningful, functional progress across the lifespan—from young children to adults.

Many families hesitate to start private speech therapy because they assume insurance won’t help cover the cost. The good news? You may be able to get reimbursed for private speech therapy, even if your provider is out-of-network.

This guide walks you through exactly how reimbursement works—and how to find out if your insurance plan includes out-of-network speech therapy benefits.

If you’ve ever reached out to a private speech therapy practice and heard, “We don’t take insurance,” you may have felt confused, frustrated, or unsure what that actually means for you.

It’s a fair question. Therapy is an investment. And as parents (or adults seeking services), you want to make informed decisions.

So, let’s break it down clearly and honestly.

If your child struggles with understanding others’ viewpoints, big emotional reactions, or flexible thinking, these moments can become powerful learning opportunities.

As speech-language pathologists, we work with clients across the lifespan — from toddlers discovering their first words to adults rebuilding or improving communication skills. No matter the age, there are some universal truths about communication, progress, and the therapy process that we wish every client (and every family) could fully hear and trust.

At The Speech & Language Center, our work spans every stage of life — from early language development to adult communication and cognitive support. Adults come to us for many reasons — sometimes after a major life change, other times simply to improve clarity, confidence, or connection.

The benefits of bilingualism go far beyond communication. The brain of a bilingual child is constantly practicing flexibility — switching between languages, organizing sounds, and choosing words depending on the situation. These “mental workouts” build the foundation for strong executive functioning skills, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.