Frequently Asked Questions

Speech-Language Pathologists (also called SLPs or speech therapists) work with people of all ages, from infants to adults. Pediatric SLPs treat many types of communication impairments in children, including problems with:

• Speech sounds - How we say sounds and put them together into words. Some children's speech may not be understandable to others, or they have difficulty producing specific speech sounds (e.g.,  saying "wabbit" for "rabbit", "tat" for cat). Other words for these problems are articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.

• Language - How we understand what we hear or read, and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking. Children with receptive language impairment may have trouble understanding questions and following directions. Children with expressive language impairment may have difficulty with vocabulary, asking and answering questions, using correct grammar, or communicating wants and needs. 

• Literacy - How well we read and write. Children with speech and language disorders may have difficulties with academic subjects such as reading, spelling, and writing.

• Social/Pragmatic Communication - How we follow the rules of speaking, such as taking turns, maintaining topic of conversation, or how we talk in different situations.

• Fluency - How well speech flows. Also known as "stuttering". Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like "t-t-t-table", prolong sounds such as "mmmm-maybe"), or frequently use "um" or "uh".

The Speech Hale offers articulation (speech sound) screenings, comprehensive speech and language evaluations and individual speech therapy sessions for children aged 3-18 years old. Academic tutoring for Language Arts and Reading is also available on a limited basis.  As a mobile private practice, services are conveniently provided in the "hale" (home), preschool/day care, and school settings.

The Speech Hale provides services to most Central and West Oahu communities, including: Ko Olina, Kapolei, Makakilo, Ewa Beach, Kunia, Waipahu, Waipio, Waikele, Mililani, Wahiawa, Pearl City, Aiea, Halawa, and Moanalua. The Speech Hale also has Military base access to service areas such as Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Fort Shafter. Services provided outside of these areas will incur a $30 travel fee per session. Please call or email for more information regarding areas we serve.

Before we begin speech therapy, we start with an evaluation to get to know your child and how they communicate. This first step helps us understand their unique strengths and where they might need extra support, so we can create a plan that truly fits them.

During the evaluation, your Speech-Language Pathologist will spend time chatting and playing with your child, asking you about their communication history, and using a mix of informal and formal assessments. Sessions usually last about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on your child’s needs and attention span.

If your child hasn’t had a speech or language evaluation within the past year, we’ll need to complete one before starting therapy.

By the end of the evaluation, we’ll have a clearer picture of how your child communicates and how we can best help them grow. Together, we’ll use this information to create a personalized plan that supports your child’s success and confidence in communication.

The structure of a speech therapy session can look a little different for each child, depending on their age and communication goals.

For young children through Kindergarten, therapy often looks like play — because play is how young children learn best! Engaging toys, games, and activities are used to target specific speech and language goals in a fun, natural way.

Older children may spend more time working at a table, especially when practicing speech sounds or focusing on particular language skills.

No matter the age or goal, sessions are designed to be positive, motivating, and enjoyable. When therapy feels fun, children are more engaged and excited to communicate — and that’s when real progress happens!

At this time, The Speech Hale is not in-network with any insurance companies and is Private Pay only (cash, check, HSA, FSA, debit or credit card via Ivy Pay). As a small private practice, we are highly focused on children and the families we serve. We want the decisions we make about your child's therapy services to be made in collaboration with your 'ohana, not directed by an insurance company that does not understand your child's needs. 

The Speech Hale can provide a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network benefit reimbursement. In-home speech therapy sessions may be covered by your insurance company. Please reach out to your provider to verify your benefits, as we cannot guarantee reimbursement for services. 

Beginning January 1, 2022, if you're uninsured or if you opt for self-pay (i.e., not going through your health insurance), health providers like The Speech Hale must provide you with an estimate of the expected charges prior to receiving services. This is called a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). Included within the GFE are the expected charges for any services associated with your care. 

For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website.