Helpful Information

Every child’s development is unique, but you are the expert on your child. If you find yourself "translating" for them often, noticing frustration when they try to communicate, or simply feeling that their social-emotional engagement isn't where you expected, an evaluation can provide clarity.

The goal of an evaluation is information, not just a label. Whether or not it leads to a diagnosis, you will walk away with a clear roadmap of how your child learns and how to best support them.

Yes. State-mandated systems are often set up to only provide support once a child is already significantly delayed. Despite the name "Early Intervention," these programs—along with school-based IEPs—often require a child to meet strict eligibility criteria or fall behind academically before they qualify for help.

I don’t believe in a "wait and see" approach. Private therapy allows us to look beyond checklists to:

• Prioritize Proactive Support: We address communication differences the moment they appear, rather than waiting for your child to meet a specific percentage of delay.

• Focus on the Whole Child: We prioritize your child’s social-emotional growth, communication, and individual learning style, regardless of how they are performing on a standardized test.

• Remove the Red Tape: We can start immediately, providing high-energy, one-on-one sessions without the limitations of school budgets, rigid academic goals, or large caseloads.

If you have concerns, your intuition is enough to start the conversation.

I specialize in supporting children between the ages of 1 and 12. If your child falls outside of this range but you feel my approach is a good fit, please reach out.

I provide speech therapy in your child’s natural environment, including your home, daycare, or school. Working in familiar spaces allows us to use your child’s own toys, daily routines, and everyday objects to build communication skills in real-time.

This model is built for your convenience and your child’s success:

• No Travel or Waiting: I come to you, eliminating the stress of a commute or a clinical waiting room.

• Side-by-Side Collaboration: Working together in your home ensures you feel confident supporting your child’s progress between sessions.

• Caregiver Integration: I can collaborate directly with teachers and caregivers to ensure your child is supported throughout their entire day.

I currently serve families in the City of Pittsburgh, the North Hills, South Hills, and Northeast communities.

Yes! In fact, parent and caregiver involvement is a cornerstone of my practice. Because we work in your child’s natural environment, we have the unique opportunity to integrate communication strategies directly into your family’s everyday routines.

I also recognize that every family has a busy schedule. My goal is to support you, not overwhelm you. I offer individual sessions and flexible therapy packages that balance direct work with your child and dedicated coaching or consultation sessions. Whether you are active in every session or we connect during a scheduled consultation, our partnership ensures your child is supported throughout your family’s daily life.

No. Because Shared Spark Pediatric Therapy is a private-pay practice, you do not need a formal referral or prescription to begin. This allows us to start the evaluation or therapy process the moment you have concerns.

• Note: If you plan to submit Superbills for reimbursement, I recommend checking with your insurance provider to see if your specific plan requires a physician’s referral for out-of-network claims.

Shared Spark Pediatric Therapy is an out-of-network provider. I choose this model so I can prioritize our therapeutic relationship and your child's individualized care without the restrictions of insurance plans, such as session caps or rigid goal requirements. This ensures our plan is driven by your family's needs, not a policy.

• Payment: Packages are paid at the start of each package, and individual sessions and evaluations are paid at the time of service. Payment is handled securely through SimplePractice, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

• Reimbursement: Packages are paid at the start of each package, and evaluations and parent coaching sessions are charged to your card on file before the session. Payment is handled securely through SimplePractice, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

The best way to begin is with a free 15-minute consultation call. This is a low-pressure opportunity for us to connect, discuss your concerns, and see if my approach is the right fit for your family.

From there, we will schedule a comprehensive evaluation to create a roadmap for your child's communication journey.