FAQs

Most kids make faster progress when therapy happens at least once a week, with consistent home practice and parent involvement. (For most families in South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, and West Jordan, this is usually the starting point.)

When a child has a more significant speech sound disorder, or language delay, they often benefit from speech sessions at least twice a week or shorter, more frequent sessions.

There’s no magic number - the right length and amount of sessions depends on:

• the severity of the speech or language issue

• how well the child tolerates structured work

• how consistent practice is at home

• whether the child can apply skills outside therapy (this is where speech therapy at home can make a difference)

The point: kids improve when practice is frequent and meaningful, not for the amount of time they sit at a table. This is why many parents choose in-home speech therapy for better carryover.

That’s why in-home speech therapy works. Build practice into real routines, so progress shows up faster.

If you're in the South Jordan area and wondering what schedule your child needs, you can always contact me — I help parents figure out the right intensity for their child.

A child is ready to stop when they can:

• use their target skill reliably and independently

• maintain performance across people, places, and tasks

• fix errors with little to no help

• show consistent skills in real life, and outside of structured practice (not just during their private speech therapy session at home)

Stopping too early may cause kids to stagnate in their acquisition of skills, or worse, cause some regression. Graduation isn’t about perfection - it’s about stability and maintenance; the real sign is whether skills hold up between sessions.

If a child needs fewer cues, corrects themselves, and their skills hold across the week (not just in the session), it’s usually time to plan for discharge. If you’re unsure whether your child is close to graduating, reach out. We gladly support families in South Jordan, Herriman, and West Jordan to make this decision.

If you’re wondering whether your child needs speech therapy, you’re probably already seeing a pattern that’s worth checking.

A referral is appropriate when you notice:

• speech that’s hard for others to understand outside of your household

• difficulty saying sounds that peers can use

• very limited vocabulary compared to same-age peers

• difficulty forming sentences or being understood

• frustration when trying to communicate

• unclear speech persisting past expected ages

• a big gap between what the child understands vs. what they can say

• concerns raised by teachers, doctors, or family

You don’t need a formal referral to start — parents can seek an evaluation directly.
If something feels off, trust your instincts. Early support makes a real difference.

You know a child needs speech therapy when speech or language:

• causes frustration

• affects school or learning

• makes them hard to understand

• makes communication harder than it should be

More specific signs:

• strangers understand less than 75% of what your child says at age 3–4

• your child avoids talking because they feel misunderstood

• certain sounds just aren’t developing

• vocabulary is limited compared to peers

• sentences feel jumbled, immature, or unclear

• your child knows what they want to say but can’t express it smoothly

If any of these fit, an evaluation is the fastest way to get clarity.

In Utah, private speech therapy evaluations typically range from $150 to $300, depending on:

• the complexity of the concern

• the number of areas assessed (speech, language, reading, etc.)

• the time needed for scoring and interpretation

• whether written reports are included

My evaluations stay on the lower end of this range and include:

• parent interview

• standardized testing when appropriate

• play-based or functional assessment

• analysis of speech patterns

• clear recommendations

• a realistic treatment plan if therapy is needed

You’ll know exactly what’s going on and what the next step is — without surprise fees.

Most private-pay speech therapy in the U.S. ranges from $75 to $150 per session, depending on:

• session length

• provider experience

• travel (if in-home)

• specialization (e.g., apraxia, literacy, autism)

My rates stay competitive for the Salt Lake Valley because I know families need both quality and affordability.
I offer 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions so families can choose what fits their goals and budget.

No surprise fees. No upselling.
Just straightforward, evidence-based therapy.

Yes — when the right approach is used consistently.

Progress depends on:

• the underlying cause of the delay

• how often the child practices

• how well strategies are used at home

• how the child responds to structured vs. naturalistic teaching

Most kids show growth within weeks, not months.
Some kids progress slowly at first and then accelerate once the right strategy clicks.
For a few, progress is steady but gradual — especially with motor planning challenges or bigger language gaps.

Either way, therapy helps children communicate better, build confidence, and reduce frustration.
Speech therapy isn’t a “wait and see” service — it’s a “let’s get you moving in the right direction now” service.

If a child — at 5, 7, 9, or older — is having trouble with speech sounds, grammar, sentence structure, or reading, then yes, speech therapy is still appropriate. Kids do not age out of needing help just because they're in elementary school.

As kids get older, speech and language skills impact:

• reading accuracy and fluency

• spelling and written expression

• classroom participation

• following multi-step directions

• social confidence and peer relationships

Without support, what starts as a “small speech issue” can turn into:

• persistent difficulty with sounds like /r/, /s/, /l/

• trouble clearly expressing ideas

• weak vocabulary for academics

• frustration during reading or writing

• difficulty retelling stories or summarizing

• avoiding speaking in class or around peers

Older kids often make faster progress because they’re more aware, more motivated, and better able to use strategies. Therapy at this stage prevents problems from snowballing into bigger academic or social challenges.