Early language skills
Speech therapy for late talkers and toddlers
Early intervention is speech therapy for babies and toddlers, birth to 3, who are not yet talking or having difficulty understanding language. Sessions are completed by video, and your therapist shows you how to build talking into play and your everyday routines. We're a private practice, and not your state's early intervention program, but you do have access to both.
- Birth to 3
- 30-minute sessions by video
- Parent coaching in every session
- Anywhere in Texas
Good to know
The short version
- Lots of late talkers catch up to age-appropriate communication skills, but some do not. An evaluation can provide more information and show whether speech therapy would be recommended.
- Online early intervention means you and your child are playing and engaging together while your therapist guides you and provides in-the-moment coaching throughout.
- We're not Texas ECI. You can contact them and book with us at the same time.
Who it helps
Is this right for my child?
- Toddlers who say few words for their age, or aren't putting words together yet
- Kids who understand less than you'd expect, or have trouble following simple directions
- Babies and toddlers who rarely point, wave, babble or use gestures
- You're on a waitlist for your state program and don't want to wait
- You already get state services and want more help
Signs to watch for
What signs should parents watch for?
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Age: By 12 months
- Doesn't wave bye-bye
- Doesn't call a parent "mama," "dada" or another special name
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Age: By 18 months
- Isn't trying to say three or more words besides "mama" or "dada"
- Doesn't point to show you something interesting
- Doesn't follow a one-step direction without a gesture, like "give it to me"
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Age: By 2 years
- Isn't putting two words together, like "more milk"
- Doesn't point to things in a book when you ask
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Age: By 30 months
- Says fewer than about 50 words
- Isn't combining an action word with another word, like "doggie run"
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Age: Any age
- Loses words or skills they used to have
- You or your pediatrician are worried about how they communicate
Seeing one of these doesn't mean something is wrong. It just means it's worth a closer look.
Online sessions
What therapy looks like
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What happens in a session?
For babies and toddlers, therapy looks like play. Your child stays on the floor with their own toys, books and snacks, and your therapist watches and guides you from the screen.
A typical session starts with how the week went. Then you try one or two things during play, like pausing a few seconds to give your child a turn, or naming what they're looking at. Your therapist gives you feedback as you go, and you plan the next step together.
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What will I do?
You're the most important person in these sessions. Toddlers learn to talk from the people they're with most, so you'll learn ways to work language into meals, bath time, diaper changes, car rides and play. You don't need special toys or a set practice time.
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How is progress tracked?
At the evaluation, we set goals with you, like new words, gestures or following directions. Your therapist tracks what your child does in each session, and we look at progress together regularly and adjust the plan. Every toddler grows on their own timeline, so we won't promise one. You'll see what's changing at each review.
Learn more
Is Talking Jay Speech Therapy the same as my state’s early intervention program?
No. Talking Jay Speech Therapy is a private practice. Every state runs a public early intervention program for children from birth to age 3 under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In Texas, it’s Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), run by Texas Health and Human Services.
| Compared | State early intervention program | Talking Jay Speech Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | A state agency and its local providers | A private practice |
| Ages | Birth to 3 | Birth to 3 for early intervention, and older kids and adults for other services |
| Eligibility | Set by each state, based on an evaluation | No eligibility rules. Anyone in Texas can book |
| Cost | Set by each state. In Texas, evaluations are free and services use a sliding scale | $175 evaluation, $75 per 30-minute session |
| Where | Usually in the home or community, sometimes by video | Online, by secure video |
| Services | Speech and other therapies, service coordination and more | Speech-language therapy |
Can we use both?
Yes. Some families contact their state program and book with us the same week. Others start with us while they wait for a state evaluation, or add sessions alongside state services. If your child sees both, let each provider know so the goals line up. With your consent, we can coordinate with your state early intervention providers.
If you haven’t contacted your state program yet, we’d encourage you to. Asking for an evaluation is free, and they can connect you with more than speech if your child needs it.
What happens at age 3?
State early intervention programs end at age 3. Many children move to their public school district for an evaluation and, if eligible, preschool services. Children can keep seeing Talking Jay Speech Therapy after age 3, for language or for speech sounds.
Pricing
Simple, clear pricing
One price list for everyone, and you pay per visit. We don't bill insurance, but we can provide you with a superbill for you to send to your insurance company for out-of-network coverage. We do accept HSA and FSA cards.
See pricing-
Evaluation
$175
60 minutes
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Therapy session
$75
30 minutes
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Consultation call
Free
15 minutes
Related services
You might also be looking for
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Articulation (speech sounds)
For kids who have difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds or who are difficult to understand when they speak.
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Social communication
For kids who have difficulty interacting with other kids, taking turns in play or in conversations, understanding emotions, nonliteral language, or picking up on tone of voice.
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AAC (communication devices)
For kids who are non-speaking who may benefit from use of a low or high tech device to support communication. Our goal is not to replace verbal communication but to provide alternative methods of communicating wants and needs. We can work with a device that you already have access to, or support with a full evaluation for a new device.
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Feeding therapy
For kids who are selective eaters or picky eaters. They may eat only a few foods, eliminate whole food groups from their diet, refuse to try new foods, and/or gag on new foods, flavors and textures.
Questions
Questions parents ask
Still wondering about something? A free 15-minute call is a good place to ask.
My toddler only says a few words. Should I wait and see?
Lots of late talkers catch up, but some don't, and waiting won't tell you which. An evaluation gives you an answer and things you can start doing right away. Kids who understand a lot for their age are more likely to catch up on their own.
Is Talking Jay Speech Therapy part of Texas ECI?
No. We're a private practice. Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is a state program run through Texas Health and Human Services. You can contact ECI and book with us at the same time.
Can my child get state early intervention and see you too?
Yes. Some families use both, to add sessions or to get started while they wait for state services. Let each provider know about the other so the goals line up.
Can a toddler really do therapy on video?
Yes, because you're the one on camera with them. Your child plays like normal while your therapist guides you. They don't need to sit still or watch the screen.
Does my child need a diagnosis or a doctor's referral?
No. You can book an evaluation without a diagnosis or a referral. If you plan to ask your insurance to pay you back, check whether your plan wants a referral for out-of-network therapy.
Does early intervention cover language delays?
Yes. For kids under 3, language delays, like saying few words or having trouble understanding, are a big part of early intervention. We don't have a separate language delay program.
Ready when you are
Most families start with a 60-minute evaluation. If you'd rather talk first, book a free 15-minute call and ask us anything.
Reviewed by Whitney Silverthorn, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist at Talking Jay.
Sources: Late Language Emergence (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Early Intervention (Practice Portal), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Milestones by 2 Years (Learn the Signs. Act Early.), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Early Childhood Intervention Services, Texas Health and Human Services