+When should I seek help if I have concerns about my child's language and literacy development?

NOW! If you are visiting our website or have any concerns, reach out for a free consultation to discuss your concerns. It can't hurt!

Do not take a ‘wait and see’ approach. If your child is struggling to learn, early support is key. Getting the right help as soon as possible can make all the difference in their school success and confidence. The longer intervention is delayed, the greater the challenges your child may face in school and beyond.

Children who begin intervention at an earlier age often make faster progress in therapy. At this stage, they carry a lighter academic load and have less extracurricular obligations, and we can build skills without needing to reteach or reframe concepts that have already been reinforced in school.

+ Why get testing?

A comprehensive evaluation gives answers. It identifies your child’s needs, ensures the right support, and provides a roadmap for effective intervention. Without an evaluation, we cannot effectively determine a therapy plan for your child. If your child receives a diagnosis, documentation is key for you child to get supportive services at school/college.

+ Who can diagnose and who can treat a speech, language or literacy disorder, including dyslexia?

Diagnosis

• Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Educational Psychologists, and Neuropsychologists can diagnose dyslexia. Pediatricians can spot early signs of dyslexia, but a formal diagnosis requires a specialist. School professionals DO NOT diagnose dyslexia- they assess for markers of dyslexia and eligibility for school based services.
• Only a Speech-Language Pathologists can diagnose a speech sound disorder

Therapy/Intervention

• Several professionals may be qualified to provide language and literacy intervention, including Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) with specialized dyslexia training, and individuals with extensive training in print-to-speech or speech-to-print programs such as Barton, Wilson, etc. These professionals complete advanced training in multi-sensory, structured language approaches designed to address reading, spelling, writing, and sometimes math difficulties. Not all training is created equal!
• Only a Speech-Language Pathologists can treat a speech sound disorder

+What is the best way to remediate dyslexia?

There are many ways to treat dyslexia, including a variety of programs rooted in Print-to-Speech and Speech-to-Print methodologies.

The program and/or approach best suited for your child depends on their evaluation/strengths & weaknesses. NOT ALL PROGRAMS are equal and work across the board for every individual.

Dyslexia programs alone are typically not robust enough to address an accompanying developmental language delay, and will likely require the expertise of a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Click here for a quick history lesson on how we learned that this approach works!

+What about math?

Math is often impacted by dyslexia and reading struggles in many ways. Students often have difficulty with word problems, sequencing, memorizing math facts, and directionality (before and after). Lexicon does not offer subject-based math tutoring, rather we provide multi-sensory math instruction to address core issues that are lacking.

+How long does therapy or intervention take?

The duration of therapy or intervention varies for each child and depends on factors such as the severity of their challenges, attention and focus, consistency with attendance, and motivation. In general, families can expect a structured literacy intervention program to take a minimum of two years when attending sessions twice per week year round.

+Do you take insurance?

Lexicon is a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas provider for clients who receive services from a speech-language pathologist, and is considered out-of-network with all other commercial insurances. Services delivered by any professional other than an SLP are not covered by insurance.

Your insurance policy may cover speech and language services. To get started, please contact your insurance representative and ask the following regarding your policy's in-network (BCBS) or out-of-network (other insurances) benefits regarding speech therapy:

1. Are Speech-Language disorders covered?
2. If yes, does this include Developmental Speech-Language disorders? (the cause is not due to an accident or injury)
3. What is your deductible and have you met it? If you have not met your deductible, you will likely have to pay out of pocket until it has been met.
4. Do you have a co-pay/coinsurance for speech-language services?
5. Are there any limitations to your policy? (including number of visits allowed per year)

+What if I do not have BCBS?

If you have another commercial insurance, Lexicon can provide you with a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. You will pay for services up front, then submit your Superbill for any reimbursement and your insurance will reimburse you directly.

It is still recommended that you call your insurance and inquire about their out-of-network reimbursement rates to better understand what your policy covers.

+Do you take Medicaid?

Lexicon currently is not a Medicaid or Medicare provider.

+Are services year round?

Services are provided year round, as taking large breaks can negatively impact progress. Lexicon does close at designated times throughout the year. Please refer to the Important Dates tab for a schedule of our closures.

+What if my child has a diagnosis or has already been tested elsewhere?

If you have already received testing and/or a diagnosis, we will review that as part of our free consultation and advise on the next steps. This may mean we do not need to complete a full evaluation.

Lexicon requires an evaluation dated within 1 year in order to begin services.

+What if my child has had therapy/intervention elsewhere?

If your child has already received therapy or been through intervention, but is still struggling, please reach out to schedule a free consultation so we can discuss your unique situation.