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 and Riverton, 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. (Most parents in the Salt Lake area reach out when they notice the same early signs.)

A referral is appropriate when you notice:

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

• difficulty saying sounds that same-age peers can say

• a very limited vocabulary compared to same-age peers

• difficulty forming sentences

• frustration when trying to communicate

• frequent breakdowns in communication

• unclear speech persisting past expected ages

• difficulty understanding basic instructions without repetition or pointing

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

• concerns raised by teachers, doctors, or family (especially when concerns show up both at home and at school)

More specific signs:

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

• your child hasn’t said their first word by 18 months

• your child didn’t start to put words together by 2 years

• your child hasn’t mastered /v, s, z, sh, ch, j/ or /l/ by age 4

• your child hasn’t mastered voiced/th/, /zh/, or /r/ by age 5

• your child hasn’t mastered voiceless /th/ by age 6

• sentences are unclear, incomplete, or immature by age 5

• your child avoids talking because they feel misunderstood

Trust yourself. You don’t need a formal referral to start - parents can seek an evaluation directly. Early support makes a real difference.

If you’re unsure, reach out. I evaluate children across the South Jordan and Riverton areas and can help you determine whether speech therapy is appropriate.

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 and how detailed they are

These prices are very typical for private pediatric speech therapy clinics in the area.

My evaluation rate is $225 and may include:

• parent interview(s)

• standardized testing when appropriate

• a language and/or speech sample

• analysis of speech patterns

• parent recommendations

• a treatment plan if therapy is needed

You’ll have a clear understanding of your child’s speech and language skills and whether speech therapy is recommended. If you’re in South Jordan or Sandy, contact us to schedule an evaluation.

Most private speech therapy in Utah ranges from $60 to $150 per session, depending on:

• session length

• provider experience

• travel (if in-home)

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

I offer 30-, 45-, and 60-minute sessions so families can choose what fits their goals and budget. My rates include:

• $60 for 30 minutes

• $88 for 45 minutes

• $115 for 60 minutes

I keep my rates competitive for the Salt Lake Valley to offer both quality and affordability. Simple. Transparent. Evidence-based therapy.

Yes - when the right approach and supports are used consistently.

Progress depends on:

• the 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

Some kids improve quickly and move fast through therapy. Others progress slowly at first and then accelerate once the right strategy clicks. For a few kids, progress is steady but gradual - especially with motor planning challenges, or large language gaps.

In any case, speech therapy helps children communicate better, build confidence, and reduce frustration.

Speech therapy is like any exercise - consistent, quality practice will lead to visible change. This isn’t a “wait and see” service — it’s a “let’s get you moving in the right direction now” service to build skills.

If a child - at 5, 7, 9, or older - is having trouble with speech sounds, grammar, sentence structure, or reading, then 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:

• oral and written expression

• reading comprehension

• classroom participation

• following class instruction and directions

• forming and maintaining peer relationships

Without support, what starts as a “small speech issue” may 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

Speech therapy at this stage prevents problems from snowballing into bigger academic or social challenges as classroom and social demands increase. School-age therapy is extremely common, and it often helps kids make more gains than parents expect.

If you live in the South Jordan area and want additional support beyond school services, contact us to schedule a session.