How long will treatment take?
This is incredibly difficult to answer. Why? Because our services are so complex and we do not do a “box curriculum”. Each child will respond differently to any given intervention. We can usually give you a better idea of how long treatment may take after getting to know your child throughout the therapeutic process. Factors that can determine the rate of success can include the age of the child, their overall attention, motivation of client, consistency of attendance, parent involvement and commitment, and the severity of the diagnosis.
Does my child need an evaluation prior to starting services?
If your child has not had a recent evaluation (last 6 months), we will require a thorough evaluation. There are exceptions, but these scenarios would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What is the difference between a screening and an evaluation?
Metro East Therapy provides complimentary, 10-.15 minute screenings to help determine if a full evaluation is necessary. Screenings do not diagnose. An evaluation can take several hours and results in a diagnosis, if appropriate. Evaluations also help us determine a treatment plan.
What can I expect during a typical therapy session?
Your child will work 1-on-1 with a clinician in a therapy room. Depending on the type of treatment, a child may be either sitting at a table, or playing on the floor. For some children, therapy may appear to be “just play”. But, please remember our therapists are trained to target specific goals in a natural way.
How will I know how my child is doing in therapy?
Each treatment session allocates time at the end of therapy to discuss progress and answer any questions you may have. If you have specific questions you need answered, it may be in your best interest to give the clinician a “head’s up” that you have something specific to discuss so that the clinician can be prepared. If you need to discuss something you feel will take longer than usual, please let the clinician know at the beginning of the session so that they are able to shorten the treatment time. Out of respect for our other families, we try to keep sessions within our scheduled times. If you need to speak with your child’s therapist outside of your regularly scheduled therapy times, Metro East Therapy reserves the right to bill you for the therapist’s time at our private, hourly rate.
How can I pay for therapy sessions?
Metro East Therapy is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. For families that do not have Blue Cross Blue Shield, you will be privately paying. You are able to use your Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account to help pay for services.
How can I know what insurance covers?
If you are working with a speech language pathologist or an occupational therapist, you may have services covered. We are currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. In order to confirm benefits, you will need to ask us for a CPT code and a diagnosis code. We will also check your benefits, however, it is ultimately your responsibility to understand your benefits. You may have to meet a deductible, have a copay or a coinsurance. We do bill insurance on a regular basis, but it may take up to 30 days for a claim to process. Please be patient with our office as we work to ensure your services are being submitted properly.You can find more information on insurance here https://metroeasttherapy.com/insurance/
How do I schedule a session with my child’s clinician?
Each clinician makes their own schedule. Generally, after-school appointments fill up very quickly. If you have been offered an after-school therapy spot, please know that your regular attendance is crucial to keep that time. If you need to change your appointment time, you can contact your clinician via call, text, or email.
We received a diagnosis from your office, will you come to our IEP meeting to help my child get services?
It is our policy at Metro East Therapy that we share with your child’s school any evaluation results or current treatment plans. We also look forward to collaborating with your child’s school team. We will not, however, advocate for your child to receive specific services at your school. It is important to remember that we are not certified advocates. The process for being eligible for school services is different from a clinical model. We do realize that the IEP process can be overwhelming for a parent, and having someone present with you at a meeting is helpful. We recommend contacting Dyslexia St. Louis Learning and Advocacy Center to work with one of their Educational Advocates https://www.dyslexiastlouis.com/.
Why did the school say there wasn’t an issue and your office has found concerns?
Eligibility for services through a school district are much different than in a clinical setting. In a school setting, children need to qualify for services and must have what is known as an “adverse educational impact”. Children also generally require a poor response to intervention as measured by data collection, poor grades, and a team consensus that a child meets the criteria for special education. In a clinical setting, we are able to provide services your child may need regardless of school eligibility.
Can I use a copy of your report to help my child qualify for extra services at the school?
Yes, you are able to share your results with the school in order to make a case that your child requires services; however, just because our office makes a diagnosis does not mean that the school has to accept our diagnosis as grounds for specialized services. Again, schools have their own diagnostic criteria for services and do not follow the same model that is followed in a private, clinical setting.
We live far from your office and have a busy schedule. Therapy is important, but do we have more convenient options?
Yes! For a family that is too far from our office or has a busy, hectic schedule, teletherapy is an awesome solution. You can find out more about teletherapy here https://metroeasttherapy.com/teletherapy/.