Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What do I do if I think my child may need your services?

If you are wondering whether or not your child needs our services, you should contact our office and let them know that you are interested in talking to our occupational therapist, speech therapist, or ABA therapist about your child. The office staff will collect basic information and one of our therapists will give you a call as soon as possible (usually within a day or two). The therapist will answer your questions and help you determine which kind of evaluation might most benefit your child.

What happens during an evaluation?

This is an opportunity for the child, parent(s) or caregiver and occupational or provider to meet and share information. The occupational therapist, speech therapist, or behavior analyst considers the child's medical, developmental and academic history, formal testing results and parent feedback before developing a treatment plan. This initial meeting lasts 60-90 minutes. A parent or legal guardian must be present at your child’s initial therapy evaluation; this is important so that you can give consent for your child to be treated. Being present at the evaluation will give the therapist a chance to speak with you about your concerns and goals for your child. Additional evaluation sessions may be scheduled depending on the types of therapy you are seeking and the individual needs of your child. Typically, occupational therapy and speech evaluations are completed after the initial evaluation, while ABA therapy requires 1-2 follow-up assessments to directly test skills with your child.

What paperwork do I need to complete for the evaluation?

Patients are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to their evaluation appointment to complete necessary paperwork, including insurance verification, patient identification, background information, and consent to treatment. A Patient Services Representative will let you know when to arrive before your scheduled evaluation appointment.

What should I bring to my child’s initial evaluation appointment?

• A current photo ID (license)
• Insurance card
• Referral if needed
• Prescription
• School Reports (optional)
• Prior evaluations
• Name/addresses of individuals you might want the report sent to

Can I bring my other children?

If possible, it is recommended that siblings stay home so that the parent can give their undivided attention during the evaluation. Understanding that childcare is sometimes difficult, when bringing siblings, it may be helpful to bring another adult and activities to occupy the siblings during the evaluation.

Do parents sit in on therapy?

Parents may be asked to participate in some sessions, depending on the type or therapy and specific skills targeted. Parents may also be asked to participate in individual parent education and training sessions or be given follow up tasks to complete with their child in an effort to maximize progress. One of our primary goals is to give your entire family skills and knowledge to help your child gain the greatest benefit from therapy.

How is therapy scheduled?

The length and frequency or sessions will vary depending on the types of therapies your child is enrolled in, as well as his/or her availability for therapy. Most children receiving speech or occupational therapy are scheduled for 45-60 minute sessions weekly. Children enrolled in ABA therapy will be scheduled for reoccurring appointments 1-5 times per week, that may last from 2-4 hours each. The duration of the treatment for all therapies depends on the child’s specific deficits and needs.

If therapy is recommended by my therapist, will my insurance pay for it?

Medical coverage will vary, but many health insurance plans cover our services. Please contact your insurance company to verify if your plan offers a benefit for occupational therapy services. If therapy is recommended, our Patient Services Representative will obtain authorization for treatment. Once the treatment is approved, you will receive a phone call from our scheduling department to schedule an appointment for treatment. There may typically be a waitlist for therapy times which need to be scheduled in the late afternoon, after school times.

When will I receive an evaluation report and/or treatment plan?

You should receive an evaluation report or plan for treatment within 2-3 weeks after completing all assessments.

How are your therapy services different than my child’s therapy in school?

School-based therapists are considered a "related service."  Their job is to observe and assess a child to determine their needs in order to best access their education. Therapists may use direct treatment and pull the child out of the classroom or push inside the classroom by providing equipment for the student to access.  Or a therapist may consult with an educator in the classroom to better accommodate the student. School based therapy uses an educational model that focuses on education and academic performance and is governed by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities and Education Act). Goals in the schools are specifically related to education. In contrast, Starfish Youth Therapy Center provides outpatient clinic-based therapy using a medical model that focuses on working with the diagnoses prescribed by a doctor and often directed by insurance. Our therapists help children access and participate in activities in the home, community, and any other environment a child may find themselves. Goals are functional and based around the activities and environments specific to the child, not necessarily tied to their education. Goals are individualized based on the child's needs and family's priorities.  Children are able to receive school and outpatient therapies in conjunction with each other. A child may qualify for services in an outpatient setting, but not in school because their skills and compensations do not impact their ability to learn.