Speech Therapy FAQ for Families in Upland, CA

Some of the most common signs parents notice include a child who is difficult to understand, has limited words or vocalizations for their age, uses inconsistent errors when trying to say sounds, or relies on gestures instead of words to communicate. If your toddler is not talking at 18 months, or your school-aged child struggles with certain sounds or sound combinations, an evaluation can give you a clear picture of where they are and what support may help. At King Speech Therapy Services, evaluations combine standardized testing, language samples, and a parent interview so the results reflect your child's real, everyday communication needs.

Clinic-based therapy services are available for children from 18 months through 17 years old. Caregiver and child classes, including the Talk, Play, and Grow program, begin at 12 months. Whether your child is a late talker just starting to babble or a teenager working on fluency and social communication, the team is equipped to help across a wide range of developmental stages and goals.

King Speech Therapy Services is in-network with several PPO plans, including Cigna, Blue Shield, Anthem, HealthNet, and Aetna. If your plan is out of network, the clinic provides a Superbill after each session, which you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. A prompt pay rate option is also available for families paying out of pocket. If you are unsure about your coverage, reaching out to the clinic directly is the best first step to clarify your benefits before scheduling.

The clinic addresses a broad range of pediatric communication needs. Speech services cover articulation disorders, phonological delays and disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and fluency concerns like stuttering and cluttering. Language services include early intervention, emergent language skills, receptive and expressive language, and pragmatic or social communication. The clinic also provides feeding therapy for picky eating, sensory aversions, and chewing or swallowing difficulties, as well as orofacial myofunctional therapy for concerns like tongue thrust, open mouth posture, and habit elimination.

The process begins with a thorough evaluation using standardized tests, a language sample, and a parent interview to build a complete picture of your child's communication. From there, a care plan is created based on your family's real-world goals and daily routines. Sessions are play-based and child-led, and every appointment includes time for the therapist to debrief with caregivers so strategies can be carried into the home. Parents leave each session with practical tools they can use throughout the week, which means progress is not limited to the therapy room.

Childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, is a motor speech disorder where a child has difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to produce words clearly. It often presents as inconsistent errors and speech that is hard to understand even for familiar listeners. Victoria King Erb, M.S., CCC-SLP, has specialized training in Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing, known as DTTC, which is an evidence-based approach developed specifically for treating CAS. The clinic is also listed in the Apraxia Kids SLP Directory, reflecting a recognized level of expertise in this area.

Parent coaching is central to how King Speech Therapy Services works. While a typical therapy session provides one hour of direct support, parents who are equipped with strategies can apply them across more than 100 hours of interaction each week at home. After every session, caregivers receive a debrief with specific techniques they can use during everyday routines like mealtimes, chores, and play. The Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program, offered for children from 12 months to 4 years old with language delays, takes this further through group sessions and video feedback designed to help parents become confident language facilitators for their child.

Yes. IEP consultations and support are a dedicated service at King Speech Therapy Services. Many parents feel overwhelmed by the legal and technical language involved in Individualized Education Plans. The clinic helps families understand their rights under Free and Appropriate Public Education requirements, reviews documentation, and provides guidance so parents can advocate confidently for their child. Victoria Erb spent six years working in school-based settings before founding the clinic, giving her firsthand insight into how school services work and where families often need additional support.