How do I get started with services from Hatcher SLP?

Clients and families can make contact with us by calling, emailing, or completing the “Contact” form on the website’s home page. We will follow up and schedule a free consultation with a licensed and certified SLP to determine how best to move forward.

 

Where are services provided?

Hatcher SLP primarily offers virtual services, also known as telepractice or telehealth. After the initial consultation, it could be determined that services could be in-home or at a cooperating community location in the Bowling Green, Kentucky area only. Telepractice services can be made available to anyone in the state of Kentucky. Virtual services can be great for families who may live in more rural areas or for those who prefer to limit expenses associated with traveling. 

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I’d like speech therapy for my child, but I’m unsure about it being virtual, or via telepractice. We did not have a good experience with school being “virtual” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Would it be similar?

Speech therapy (ST) sessions via telepractice are very different than how large group educational services were delivered virtually during the pandemic. First of all, services with Hatcher SLP are one-on-one and we use a particular HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing platform in a way that can offer many interactive features.

Dr. Hatcher can help determine if telepractice is a good fit for your child during the free initial consultation. Many people do not realize that delivering high-quality telehealth services is really a science. There are many factors that must be considered when planning and implementing a telepractice session (i.e., preparing and managing appropriate digital materials and the environment, knowing the client to help maintain engagement and motivation, collaborating with families for potential help on the client side if needed, having and knowing how to use appropriate technology). Dr. Hatcher is an expert in delivering virtual services due to her specialized training and years of experience in speech-language pathology and telepractice.

 

Unfortunately, many professionals (like SLPs) and families were thrust into telepractice during the pandemic without proper training or preparation. This rapid shift in service delivery led to many negative experiences due to understandable barriers in learning and using best practice methods. When implemented well with the appropriate candidates, telepractice can be as good as or better than in-person speech therapy services.

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Why do some parents choose private therapy?

Many clients and parents prefer one-on-one treatment, as opposed to small groups, which is the most common model followed in the school-based setting. Some advantages of private therapy are having more individualized sessions, the child and therapist can focus on each other without distractions, and having the freedom to create and address more functional and person-centered goals or goals that are of most concern to caregivers. 

 

If my child is receiving speech-language therapy at school, will you work on the same goals?

Hatcher SLP values a person-centered and collaborative approach to treatment. We welcome the opportunity to partner with your school team to ensure there is consistency in the skills we are addressing; however, in some circumstances, families may wish to address different goals. There are advantages to choosing private therapy in addition to school-based services (see above). The initial consultation and the assessment process will help us work collaboratively to determine goals that best fit the child’s areas of need.

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How long do speech or language therapy sessions last?

Therapy session length is dependent on the client's unique needs, ability to attend, and other factors. Sessions may range from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. All telepractice, or virtual, sessions are 30 minutes. 

 

How often are therapy sessions?  

The frequency of therapy sessions each week depends on a few things such as the type of communication deficit, the severity of the deficit, and other child/family factors. Therapy sessions are often recommended either one, two, or three times a week. This is something Dr. Hatcher and the family will discuss during the initial consultation and during the review meeting either following the assessment process or after receiving requested clinical documentation.

 

How long will my child need to be in speech or language therapy?  

It is very difficult to predict exactly how long a child will need speech and/or language therapy. This is something that is specific to each child. Like the other questions above, there are many factors that impact how long a child will need to receive services. Some factors include regular attendance, caregivers carrying over SLP recommendations outside of therapy, and other details about the disorder and its level of severity. Children are typically dismissed from therapy when they have reached all goals on their specially designed treatment plan.

 

I don’t really know if my child needs speech or language therapy. How can I find out more about this?

There are different ways to find out if your child needs speech or language therapy. If you have specific concerns, we recommend you consult your child’s pediatrician, teacher, and/or childcare provider to begin a discussion about how your child is communicating compared to their same age peers. If you are still worried after talking with other professionals who know your child, call Hatcher SLP (270) 202-7007 for a free phone consultation with an ASHA-certified and licensed speech-language pathologist.

 

Children start to communicate with caregivers a long time before they begin to use words. There are many developmental norm charts that parents/caregivers can access to read about what to expect at certain ages for communication. Please keep in mind that young children develop at different rates. We ask that parents/caregivers use developmental norm charts with caution; these include milestones for “most” children who speak only one language and the skills listed are often those that are reached at the upper area of the reported age range.

 

If you would like more information about typical ages for certain speech sounds or overall language development, see the link below. The link shares information to help answer any questions about what to expect at certain ages in development; it also provides a list of online resources for parents and caregivers. Go to: https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/prof-consult/norms/

 

Hatcher SLP wants you to know it is important to get help early if there is a problem with your child’s speech, language, or hearing. Delaying intervention can cause difficulties with things like communicating wants and needs, interacting with family and caregivers, playing with friends, and eventually performance in school.

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How much do services cost?

Rates for services vary based on the type of service delivered. Please contact Hatcher SLP by phone or e-mail to schedule a free consultation and to ask about evaluation, therapy, and consultation rates. 

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Does Hatcher SLP accept insurance plans?

Hatcher SLP is in the process of becoming credentialed with insurance providers, so clients must agree to a private pay plan at this time. We are required to inform every uninsured or self-pay client of their right to receive a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). Therefore, we will provide you with a GFE before a service is scheduled with us. The GFE includes an itemized list of each service we offer, including specific details, like the healthcare code and the expected charge. We will explain the GFE to you over the phone or in-person if you request it, and then provide you with an estimate in writing in the most accessible way.

 

Clients can also use an HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) card to pay for services. We do not accept Medicaid. After self-paying an invoice and upon request, clients can be provided a superbill to submit for out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance company.

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What is a superbill (referenced above)?

A superbill is similar to a receipt of services. It includes information that insurance companies require to process a claim and reimburse, or pay back, the person who is insured. To our knowledge, Medicaid does not accept superbills.

 

What types of payment does Hatcher SLP accept?

Hatcher SLP currently accepts cash, check, HSA or FSA cards, and credit/debit cards. Payment is due at the time of service. Please contact us if you need additional information about payment of therapy services.