Do you know someone who needs to find a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)?
Perhaps you have a friend or family member who is recovering from a stroke. Maybe you are helping someone recover from a traumatic brain injury. Perhaps you have a family friend with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis who needs help. Maybe your child is a late talker or needs help with a few speech sounds. Or, it could be you are looking for an SLP for yourself and are having trouble finding the right fit.
So, how do you find a speech language pathologist?
How To Find a Speech Language Pathologist
Finding the right fit is a complex decision. You are likely looking for a specific set of skills. It’s also likely you have an idea of a personality type that would work best for your loved one. Most of all, you want someone who gets your loved one. You want to find a professional who can help them, and also understand them.
Chances are, health insurance is a part of that decision. Most clients I work with look for a provider who is in network for their health insurance. However, I’ve also had potential clients call who wanted to pay out of pocket.
Below, I’ll outline some steps to finding a speech language pathologist. These are steps I recommend to potential clients who are looking for a quality provider.
1. Consider The Setting
There are several different settings where you can receive speech therapy. Schools, hospitals, and private practice clinics all offer high-quality speech therapy. It’s just a matter of finding what setting works best for you! For more information on these settings, you can read about several settings where you can find an SLP.
2. Consider Your Insurance
You can find SLPs who accept your insurance by visiting your insurance website. Most insurance websites have a find a provider tool. You can search by your city and find SLPs near you. If you can’t find this information on your insurance website, call your insurance information line.
3. Use ASHA Pro Find
The Provider Find tool on ASHA’s website is an excellent way to find SLPs near you. ASHA stands for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Their online search tool will connect you with a qualified provider in your area. It is a good idea to make sure your SLP is ASHA certified before you decide who to work with. If your SLP isn’t listed on this tool, feel free to ask your SLP if he/she has ASHA certification.
4. Is There a Waitlist?
The wait is real. Many clinics have waitlists for service. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough SLPs to treat clients in most areas. Especially if you want to go to an established clinic, you will likely spend time on a waitlist. If this is a factor in your decision of where to seek service, make sure to ask if there is a waitlist when you call your clinic of interest.
How to Find the Right Speech Language Pathologist – Taking the First Step
Remember, the first step is the most important one. Reach out to an SLP if you are seeking speech and language services. There are many kind and knowledgeable speech language pathologists out there ready to serve you!
I hope this post was helpful in connecting you with an SLP who will serve the needs of your family member or loved one. If you are looking for an SLP in the Rogue Valley, my clinic in Ashland specializes in a variety of areas including articulation/speech sound skills and apraxia as well as working with toddlers who are late talkers.