Speech Start

Who We Are

Speech and Language Professionals

At Speech Start we utilize a whole-person approach to therapy, focusing on the person's individual needs and not their diagnosis or disability. This approach is very different from your traditional "cookie-cutter" or "one size fits all" therapy. With a person-centered approach, the treatment plan and therapy activities are tailored to the individual, taking into consideration the whole person and utilizing their strengths to help them in areas where they may be struggling.

We also believe and advocate for family involvement. Education and support for a client's family is the backbone to any successful therapy program!

Expert Therapy

At Speech Start we service clients of all ages from birth through 199!

Whether its helping your child acquire the skills they need to effectively communicate or helping your parent regain skills they lost due neurological event, the therapists at Speech Start are here to help!

Meet Our Staff

FOUNDER AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Sandra San Jose, MA, CCC-SLP

Sandra graduated with a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University in New Jersey. She has had a passion for helping people for as long as she can remember and she has been able to accomplish this by providing speech therapy services to both children and adults for over 15 years! Sandra is a mother of three boys, a yogi and student of mindfulness. She built Speech Start, PLLC around her belief in a client-centered whole-person therapy approach which incorporates multi-modal learning and intervention. Using this approach, all areas of development and functioning are incorporated into the client's speech therapy program in order to maximize their progress and communication in their activities of daily living. Sandra specializes in early-childhood development, articulation and phonology, autism-spectrum disorder, as well as dysphagia, traumatic brain injury and neurolinguistic impairments in adults.

Our Therapy Services

Early Childhood Development

Servicing children from birth to three years old

Speech, language and cognitive delays
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
Autism-Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Bilingual language learners
Hearing impairments
Feeding difficulties
Oral-motor deficits

School-Age Speech Therapy

Early Childhood Development

Servicing school-age children and teens

Speech and Language Deficits
Auditory Processing Disorders
Voice Disorders
Stuttering and Dysfluency
Reading Comprehension and Written Expression Difficulties
ASD
Social-Pragmatic Skills
Life Skills Training
AAC evaluation, trial and support

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Early Childhood Development

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Servicing adults with acquired and degenerative neurological impairments

Apraxia
Aphasia
Dysarthria
Dysphagia and Oral Motor Deficits
Dementia
Parkinson's Disease
Cognitive Deficits
Executive Function Deficits
Client and Family Support Groups
AAC evaluation, trial and support

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my child or loved one needs speech therapy?

There is no clear cut answer to this question. What we can tell you is that you are not supposed to know. That's what speech language pathologists are here for! But, what we can say is to trust your gut! If you think something is off, reach out to a professional for guidance and advice.

Scenario 1: Your 26 month old only says two words and you realize they really never babbled much in the previous months.

Scenario 2: Your parent recently suffered a stroke and claims to be fine, but something is off, they are forgetful or when they speak they don't quiet sound the same as they used to.

Both scenarios lead to the same recommendation...have your child or loved one evaluated by a professional.

The evaluation cannot hurt, it can only help; whether to put your mind at ease or give you insight and guidance for the next steps. By seeking an evaluation, you are not committing to a treatment plan, just gaining the knowledge you need to make educated decisions moving forward.

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder resulting from traumatic (e.g. accident) or non-traumatic (e.g. stroke) brain injury. A person with aphasia can have difficulty in one or more of the following areas of language, depending upon where the damage has occurred in the brain: understanding spoken language, understanding written language, verbal expression, written expression, word finding and formulating coherent and meaningful sentences.

What is the difference between a speech/language delay and a disorder?

A speech or language delay is when a child is developing their speech and language skills in a typical manner and sequence, but they are behind that of their same age peers. Intervention involves helping the child "catch up". Where as a speech or language disorder is more atypical. The child is not necessarily acquiring all the skills they should have a that age and doesn't necessary follow a "normal" or "typical" pattern. A disorder is usually more involved and requires more intensive intervention.

The difference between a speech delay and a language delay is that a speech delay involves how the child sounds; how they acquire and produce their speech sounds when attempting to verbally communicate. Where as a language delay involves how the child builds their vocabulary and understanding of words and expands their single words into phrases and sentences.

Paying for Services

Speech Start, PLLC is a Private Pay Practice

We are considered "out-of-network" by insurance companies

We are able to provide you with the necessary paperwork to submit to your insurance company in order to seek out-of-network reimbursement for your therapy services.

Please contact your insurance company directly to understand your out-of-network coverage and benefits.

There are important factors to consider when deciding whether to use insurance or pay for care out of pocket. We want to support you in making an informed decision.

Self-Pay Versus Insurance

Cost may be the first reason you are thinking of using insurance for therapy services, but we believe it is important for you to stay informed of all of the factors that go into this decision. Here are some things to consider when choosing whether to use your insurance or self-pay for therapy services.

Diagnosis Required – Most most insurance companies require a diagnosis in order to pay for treatment. They may only authorize a certain amount of sessions or hours of therapy services based on this diagnosis. A speech-language pathologist who is functioning ethically and in your best interest will not diagnose exclusively to utilize insurance. Additionally, there are some diagnoses that insurance companies will not cover if they do not deem the therapy services to be ‘medically necessary’. Paying out of pocket allows you to access services regardless of diagnosis status, and you have the power to determine if sessions are necessary.
Session Duration– Insurance companies ultimately decide the number of therapy sessions you are able to receive, depending on your diagnosis and benefits package. The amount of coverage for therapy services is often further limited by having a set amount of coverage that is allotted to ALL therapies (e.g. PT, OT, ST) and not just a designated amount to be used for Speech Therapy. So, if you or your loved one are receiving more than one type of therapy, you may use up your coverage much quicker. At the end of the set number of approved sessions, your case can be re-evaluated by your insurance to determine if therapy continues to be ‘medically necessary’. Unfortunately, there is never a guarantee of receiving insurance approval to continue. Self-pay allows you to make the decision of continuing in speech therapy if you feel it is benefiting you or your loved one.
Decreased Privacy – Information that is communicated to your insurance for reimbursement is part of your medical record. This includes any diagnosis you received, as well as any other information the insurance requested to determine coverage. When paying privately, you have increased control over where, when, and how your information is shared.

We understand the financial and personal commitment involved in receiving speech therapy services both with or without insurance, and we do not take the responsibility of your care lightly.

If you have more questions as you are trying to choose between insurance versus private pay, or you would like to discuss our services, rates, and payment options, please give us a call at 915-257-5705.

What is Speech Therapy? Speech Therapy is another term for Speech-Language Pathology. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Who We Are

Speech and Language Professionals

Expert Therapy

Meet Our Staff

FOUNDER AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Our Therapy Services

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

School-Age Speech Therapy

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Early Childhood Development

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Send Message

Events

No upcoming events.

Paying for Services

Speech Start, PLLC is a Private Pay Practice

Self-Pay Versus Insurance

What is Speech Therapy? Speech Therapy is another term for Speech-Language Pathology. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Who We Are

Speech and Language Professionals

Expert Therapy

Meet Our Staff

FOUNDER AND CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Our Therapy Services

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

School-Age Speech Therapy

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Early Childhood Development

Adult and Geriatric Clients

Social

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Send Message

Events

No upcoming events.

Paying for Services

Speech Start, PLLC is a Private Pay Practice

Self-Pay Versus Insurance

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