If you are unsure if your toddler has a speech delay or other delays, here are some resources for you:  

I think my child has a speech delay. What can I do? 

If you are concerned about your little one, call your pediatrician. 

You can also call your state’s Early Intervention program. They can assess your child and provide support, such as speech therapy, if needed. 

How do I know what milestones my baby or toddler should be meeting? 

Click HERE for a list of milestones your baby/toddler should be meeting.

What is Early Intervention? 

Early Intervention, or E.I. for short, are national services that are available to families of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Some examples of services include speech therapy and physical therapy, but there are plenty of other ways that E.I. can help your child! 

How can I contact Early Intervention? 

Click HERE for a North Dakota's Early Intervention Information and Contact information Page. You do not need a doctor's referral. 

If you know a child who may benefit from the Early Intervention program, please contact the regional human service center that serves your area and ask to talk to the Developmental Disabilities team. 

Northeast Human Service Center

Serving Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties

151 S. Fourth St., Suite 401

Grand Forks, ND 58201-4735

Phone: (701) 795-3000

Fax: (701) 795-3050

TTY: (701) 795-3060 

Why should I get help now? Can I just "wait and see?" 

The earlier children get help for a delay, the better! 0-3 years old is a key time that you don't want to miss. They will do better later if you get them help now.

Can I just help my child myself?

It's important to get help from professionals if you think your child has a speech delay. If your child has a speech delay, you can get speech therapy from a speech therapist privately or through Early Intervention. 

Is speech therapy covered by insurance? 

It is usually free (or low cost) through Early Intervention. Your insurance also may cover a private speech therapist. Many insurance plans cover speech therapy, but it depends on the specific plan and the policies of the insurance company. Speech therapy is often considered a form of rehabilitative therapy and may be covered under medical insurance plans. However, the extent of coverage can vary widely. Some plans may cover only a limited number of visits, while others may cover a greater number of visits or a broader range of speech therapy services.

It's important to check with your specific insurance plan to find speech therapy covered by insurance and identify what the terms of the coverage are. You can also check with the speech therapist's office to see if they accept your insurance plan and what the out-of-pocket costs may be.