How to Find a Speech Therapist for Your Baby or Toddler

Finding the right person to support your child in their communication journey can be an overwhelming process.

It can sometimes feel confusing to navigate every step from the moment you become concerned to the moment your child begins to receive the services they need. This is especially true when you are the first in your family or friend group to undergo the journey.

Thankfully, depending on your child’s age, your family’s insurance status, and your personal preferences, there are a lot of options for getting your child the services they need.

FINDING A SPEECH THERAPIST:

If you’re not sure where to begin your search, there are plenty of resources.

Your child’s pediatrician: Your child’s pediatrician is a great place to start your search. Pediatricians often have a network of local specialists they collaborate with. A referral from your child’s doctor will likely be to someone they know and trust. 

Your health insurance provider: Your insurance provider can generate list of speech therapists in your area who accept your specific health insurance plan. (Providers who accept your health insurance plan are called “in-network” providers.) The list is usually shared by text or email and is tailored to your preferences (e.g. travel, specialty, etc.). You can also access the provider directory yourself from your member portal.

Early Intervention: If your child is under 3 years old, they may qualify for services through your state’s Early Intervention (EI) Program. The program provides in-home or in-daycare therapy services to children who qualify at no or low cost. To locate your Early Intervention services in your state, visit the CDC website. Click here to read my blog post about Early Intervention and determine if the program is right for your family.

Professional Directories: Directories can be a good place to start. SLPFind, ASHA ProFind, Speech Therapy Next, and Speech Buddies Connect are some of the free and easy directories that help you find therapists in your area. They are also great for specifying preferences like specialties and the languages a therapist speaks.

Local Universities and Colleges: There are over 300 accredited speech-language pathology programs in the United States, which means that a college or university near you likely has a training clinic. Give them a call! 

Your Local School District: If your child has aged out or is aging out of Early Intervention or is ready to start preschool, you can contact your School District’s Child Study Team and have them evaluated to determine if they can receive services at school.

If this post was helpful, join the newsletter to get free resources, doable tips, and encouragement, delivered right to your inbox!