Frequently Asked
Questions

We work with patients of all ages, from newborns through adults. Many of the families who come to us have very young children -- our early intervention programs begin in infancy and toddlerhood, and we continue supporting kids through school age and into adolescence. Our physical therapy program starts from birth, and we also have a full adult speech therapy program for conditions like aphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive-communication challenges. No matter where someone is in life, we can usually help.

Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. We know insurance can be confusing, so we recommend calling us at (201) 509-8205 or emailing office@speechtherapyplusllc.com before your first visit so we can verify your coverage. Our office staff will walk you through your benefits and let you know about any out-of-pocket costs upfront -- no surprises.

We offer therapy in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Russian, French, Italian, Hebrew, Polish, and Farsi. This matters more than people realize -- a child (or adult) communicates most naturally in their home language, and being evaluated and treated in that language leads to more accurate results and better progress. If your family speaks a language other than English at home, we can match you with a clinician who speaks it too.

It's not always easy to know when to be concerned -- every child develops at their own pace, and that's normal. But there are some signs worth paying attention to: not babbling by 12 months, not using single words by 16 months, not putting two words together by age 2, being hard for others to understand, stuttering or visibly struggling to get words out, trouble following directions, a vocabulary that seems limited for their age, or difficulty with reading and writing. You know your child best. If something feels off, trust that instinct and schedule an evaluation. It's always better to check and find out everything is fine than to wait and wonder. And if there is a need for support, getting started early makes a real difference.

The first visit is really about getting to know you and your child (or you, if you're the patient). It usually lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Your therapist will talk with you about your concerns and history, then spend time observing and assessing communication skills using both standardized tools and clinical judgment. At the end, they'll share what they found and what they recommend. You'll also receive a written report with a clear treatment plan -- not a generic one, but something built around your specific goals. We encourage parents to ask as many questions as they want during this visit.

Most sessions run 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of therapy, the patient's age, and what they need. Younger children, for example, may do best with shorter, more focused sessions. Frequency is usually once or twice a week, but your therapist will recommend what makes the most sense after the evaluation. We try to find a rhythm that keeps progress moving without overwhelming your family's schedule.

We do. Teletherapy works well for many of our speech-language therapy services, and some families find it easier to fit into their routine. Sessions happen over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, so everything stays private. That said, teletherapy isn't the right fit for every situation -- some goals are better addressed in person. Give us a call and we can help you figure out which option makes the most sense for your child or for you.

Great question -- this comes up a lot. Speech therapy addresses communication: how your child speaks, understands language, reads, and sometimes even swallows. Occupational therapy is about the skills needed for everyday life -- things like handwriting, getting dressed, eating independently, processing sensory information, and coordinating movements. There's real overlap between the two, and many children benefit from both. When that's the case, our speech and occupational therapists collaborate closely so your child's care is consistent and connected.

Orofacial myofunctional therapy -- OMT for short -- focuses on how the muscles of the face and mouth are working. If your child has a tongue thrust, breathes through their mouth, has trouble swallowing, or has a tongue tie, these are all things OMT can address. The therapy involves specific exercises that retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to function the way they should. When those muscles are working properly, it can improve not just speech, but breathing, swallowing, and even dental alignment. It's a specialized area, and we have trained clinicians on staff who do this work every day.

Absolutely. While much of our work is with children, we have a full adult speech therapy program as well. We treat adults dealing with aphasia after a stroke or brain injury, motor speech disorders like dysarthria, voice disorders, cognitive-communication difficulties, swallowing problems, and accent modification. Communication challenges can be isolating at any age, and our clinicians are experienced in helping adults regain confidence and function in their daily lives.

Credentials matter, and we take them seriously. Our team includes over 40 licensed clinicians. All of our speech-language pathologists hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA (CCC-SLP) and are licensed in New Jersey. Our occupational therapists and physical therapists are state-licensed and nationally certified as well. Beyond the baseline requirements, many of our therapists have pursued additional specializations -- Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM), PROMPT training, Orton-Gillingham certification, feeding therapy, and sensory integration, among others. We believe ongoing learning makes us better at what we do.

The Orton-Gillingham approach is a structured, multisensory way of teaching reading, writing, and spelling that's widely considered the gold standard for students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Instead of relying on one method, it engages visual, auditory, and tactile pathways at the same time -- so a child might see a letter, say its sound, and trace it all in the same lesson. Every session is individualized and builds on what the student has already mastered. For children who have struggled with traditional reading instruction, this approach often makes things click in a way that nothing else has.

Just give us a call at (201) 509-8205, send an email to office@speechtherapyplusllc.com, or fill out the form on our contact page. Our office team will help you find a time that works, check your insurance benefits, and walk you through the intake paperwork. We know that once you've decided to seek help, you don't want to wait -- so we do our best to get new patients in as quickly as we can.

Yes, we're open year-round, including through the summer. This is something we feel strongly about -- taking a long break from therapy can lead to regression, and the progress your child worked so hard for during the school year can slip. Summer is actually a great time to make gains, since there's less academic pressure. We offer flexible scheduling to work around vacations and camps, so reach out to us about summer availability whenever you're ready to plan ahead.

Our main office is in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and we see families from all over Bergen County and surrounding areas. We regularly work with families from Fair Lawn, Paramus, Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Hackensack, Garfield, Saddle Brook, Elmwood Park, Paterson, Wayne, Hawthorne, Wyckoff, Midland Park, and many other northern New Jersey communities. If getting to our office is difficult, we also offer teletherapy for many services. You can find directions and more details on our locations page.