How to Choose a Pediatric Speech Therapist Near Pittsburgh
What to Look For, Questions to Ask, and How to Find the Right Fit for Your Child
Finding the right pediatric speech therapist for your child can feel overwhelming. There are many factors to consider including insurance coverage, scheduling, availability and location.
There are many reasons a child may benefit from speech therapy including articulation delays, language delays, social language delays and more. It is important to choose a speech-language pathologist who is skilled, experienced, and aligned with your family’s needs.
If you're searching in the Pittsburgh area, this guide will help you know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to find a speech therapist who is the right fit.
Why Choosing the Right Speech Therapist Matters
Every child is unique. Each child has their own communication strengths and their own communication challenges. A speech therapist who understands and supports your child’s specific needs, and includes your family in the process, can make all the difference. At Berry Speech Academy, we offer individualized therapy catered to your child’s specific needs.
We want our clients to feel safe and supported when they come to our office. We make sure to build rapport with our clients and their families. It’s not just about finding a speech therapist, but finding the right one that works for your child!
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pediatric Speech Therapist
1. Qualifications & Credentials
You want to confirm that the speech therapist you are choosing has the following credentials:
Certified by ASHA (look for “CCC-SLP” after their name)
Licensed in the state of Pennsylvania
Experienced in working with children of your child’s age and needs
2. Approach to Therapy
Not all speech therapy is the same. Some therapists use a more structured, clinician-directed approach, while others (like us at Berry Speech Academy) use child-led, play-based sessions to promote natural communication.
Questions that are important to ask during an intake call:
How are sessions structured?
Where do sessions take place?
How are parents involved?
What do you offer outside of the therapy session?
How is progress communicated or shared?
3. Specialties and Services Offered
Another important thing to look for would be to make sure that the speech therapists have experience in your child’s specific needs. For example:
Autism spectrum disorders
Early language skills
Gestalt Language Processing
Apraxia of speech
Social-pragmatic communication
You also want to make sure that the office offers comprehensive evaluations to identify communication strengths and areas of need.
Learn more about Berry Speech Academy’s services.
4. Location & Accessibility
Pittsburgh traffic can be tricky! You want to also consider the location of the clinic you are interested in:
How far is the clinic from home, school, or daycare?
Does the clinic offer in school sessions if your child attends a daycare/preschool?
Are sessions offered in the morning, afternoon, or evenings?
Is teletherapy available for flexibility?
Berry Speech Academy has convenient locations in Wexford and Upper St. Clair and also offers teletherapy for clients.
5. Scheduling and Waitlist
A few more questions that are helpful to ask:
Do you currently have openings? When are the openings?
How soon can therapy begin?
How frequent are sessions?
Early intervention is key, and access to therapy can make a huge difference in your child’s language skills and easing their frustrations.
6. Insurance and Payment Options
Insurance covers speech therapy. You will want to find a provider who has an understanding of insurance and can submit claims on your behalf. It is important to understand your coverage and benefits. Some questions you might want to ask:
Do you accept my insurance (e.g., UPMC, Highmark)?
Will you verify my benefits for me to let me know anticipated financial contribution?
Do you accept HSA/FSA for payment?
Is a superbill offered for out-of-network plans?
Berry Speech Academy is in-network with UPMC and Highmark. We offer benefits verification and share with families the details including session coverage and anticipated financial responsibility.
Why Families in Pittsburgh Choose Berry Speech Academy
At Berry Speech Academy, we value our clients and their families. We are thankful that they choose us as a part of their child’s communication journey. Here’s what sets us apart:
Experienced pediatric speech-language pathologists
Family-centered and child-led approach
No waitlist for new clients
In-network with UPMC and Highmark BCBS
Convenient locations in Wexford and Upper St. Clair
Our therapy sessions are effective AND fun! Our parents feel connected in the process as well.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re ready to schedule a speech evaluation or want to learn more about how we can help, we’d love to connect with you! Contact us today!
