Speaktacular Speech & Language, LLC
Speaktacular Speech & Language, LLC
Frequently Ask Questions
Does online speech therapy work?

YES!

Not only is remote therapy (AKA telepractice) just as effective as in-person therapy, but it is also convenient!

  • reduces transportation concerns,
  • reduces hassles
  • improves attendance
  • allows for easy generalization of goals into everyday life

The sessions are live and interactive. Goals are tailor-made for the needs of each individual.

Telepractice for speech therapy has been proven effective by dozens of studies – shown to be just as good and, in some cases, even better than in-person treatment for children and adults.

Jess has extensive experience with telepractice. She has encountered rare situations of telepractice not being a good fit. It shouldn’t add any difficulty to the client’s/family’s side (that’s on Jess!), and instead offers loads of benefits.  

Still not sure? Book a free consultation to learn more about our approach. We can provide a mock therapy session if you’re still wary. 

Do you see children and adults?

YES! We have experience across the lifespan.

We evaluate/treat ADULTS with diagnoses of cognitive-linguistic impairments of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and voice disorders. 

We evaluate/treat CHILDREN to target speech production, expressive and receptive language, social skills, autism, myofunctional disorders, and more.

We have specialty trainings/certifications, including: Hanen More Than Words, Hanen Talkability, Lidcombe Stuttering Program, Inside Out Sensory Certificate, PROMPT, LSVT LOUD, FEES, and MDTP.

Contact us for more information or a free consultation.

What's the difference between a screening and an assessment?

Screening is a process for evaluating the possible presence of a particular problem. The outcome is normally a simple yes or no. Assessment is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for addressing the problem or diagnosis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83253/

Speaktacular offers free 15-minute screenings to determine if a full assessment is warranted.

What can I expect from a speech / articulation assessment?
During the initial assessment, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) may use informal or formal tests, or she could use a combination of both. Formal tests are simply standardized tests. An SLP conducting an informal test may appear to simply be chatting or playing with the child. In actuality, she’s evaluating how the child articulates words, puts sentences together, uses grammar (e.g., word endings like past tense -ed), processes questions, and interacts.

The SLP may calculate the percentage of consonants correct in a speech sample. The resulting percentage reflects how accurately the child produced the consonant phonemes of his or her language.

The SLP may record a speech sample and analyze how well the child is understood (known as intelligibility) by unfamiliar listeners.

The SLP may also use formal tests. For example, the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation, which takes about 30 minutes to complete, is used to measure speech sound abilities in the area of articulation. It provides information about an individual’s speech sound ability by sampling both spontaneous and imitative sound production in single words and connected speech.

The results of standardized tests are given in normative scores and percentiles. This indicates what range your child is in: above average, average, or below average (as compared to your child’s peers taking the same test). Errors will be calculated and patterns will be identified. Following the initial assessment, expect a written report from the SLP.

Where do you offer services?

We offer in-person services at our clinic in NW Portland.

Services are available online from the comfort of your home anywhere in Washington, Oregon, and California.

 Anacortes, Bellingham, Burlington, Ellensburg, Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Woodland, Yakima, and more in Washington!

Astoria, Beaverton, Bend, Coos Bay, Eugene, Hood River, La Grande, Milwaukie, Medford, Portland, Roseburg, Salem, and more in Oregon!

Now available in California!

How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

Developmental milestones vary. Please refer to ASHA’s developmental milestones for specific information. If there are concerns, it’s recommended to schedule an evaluation to learn more.

How long will speech therapy take before my child catches up to peers?
The length of therapy cannot be predicted. Children may show immediate improvement, or it may be very gradual. This depends on many factors such as: severity of the disorder, student cooperation, motivation, and readiness to learn. Family involvement in implementing home practice is another significant factor.
Will I attend my child's speech-language therapy sessions?

Yes. It is important for parents to participate in their child’s therapy for success over time. Parent participation may include: in-room /online therapy participation, parent coaching, and completion of home activities.

What will my child do in speech therapy?

Therapy is very individualized. Your child will work on specific goals that are defined during his/her speech-language evaluation.

For example, if your 3-year-old child demonstrates difficulty producing the ends of words, the SLP will select an engaging activity that focuses on the progressive production of this error pattern. Continued repetition will be practiced over the course of many sessions, and parents will be provided home activities for practice.

What will an adult do in speech therapy?

Therapy is very individualized. Adults will work on specific goals that are defined during the speech-language evaluation.

For example, if your mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, we will work together to maximize her independence. This often includes caregiver training for communication strategies. We may identify and reduce safety concerns or repetitive questioning. The SLP can train/assist in creating memory aids or memory books. The overall goal is to maximize independence and quality of life.

If you have concerns about memory loss or have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), we can help. We can work to exercise your brain with evidence-based approaches. We can educate you on the disease, what to expect, and how to slow/stop the progression. We can help increase your independence by partnering to identify areas of strength and difficulty and training you in the use of memory strategies. 

If you are an adult who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, we can help increase your ability to verbally communicate with LSVT LOUD therapy.

What is a CCC-SLP?
speech-language pathologist (SLP), sometimes referred to as a speech therapist, is a professional healthcare provider who has at least a Master’s level degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Along with required coursework, Master’s degree students complete 400 hours in a clinical setting, working as SLPs in training. Following graduation, the SLP participates in a Clinical Fellowship (CF) experience for at least 9 months under the direct supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist. They are then eligible to obtain a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

SLPs have extensive training and experience in diagnosing and treating speech sound disorders, developmental language disorders, stuttering, voice disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, and cognitive-linguistic disorders.

Policies

INSURANCE

We accept the following insurances: BCBS / Regence, Oregon Health Plan (OHP), Medicaid, Medicare, Moda, PacificSource, and TriNet.

Don’t see your insurance listed? Your insurance may still reimburse you for our services.

  • We can provide a monthly invoice (Superbill) you submit to your insurance company for out-of-network reimbursement.  Appropriate CPT procedure and diagnostic codes will clearly be indicated on the invoice.

FEES

Please contact us directly for more information regarding individual fees.

PAYMENTS

Payment is due the day of service. Invoices will be emailed from Square, and are paid online using a supported payment card or ACH bank transfer.

Jessica Beers

(Owner & SLP)
Contact

Get Started with a
Free 15-minute Consultation

Please fill out the contact form and you will then be directed to our online booking system where you can schedule a free 15-minute consultation.