Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I put my child’s name on the First Word's waiting list?

Absolutely. As soon as possible. During the waiting period we encourage parents to take advantage of private services and make progress while awaiting publicly funded programing.

2. Are the expenses tax deductible?

Yes. Expenses for assessment and therapy fees are tax deductible as a medical expense as are any materials, books, or programs purchased for a child or adult with a diagnosed disability. Keep photocopies of your receipts for your accountant.

3. Isn’t a toddler too young to be tested?

Communication can be tested at any age. There are norms and milestones for every age from birth to adulthood.

4. Will my child grow out of his or her speech problem?

The wait and see approach can only be determined by a skilled Speech-Language Pathologist. Careful history taking, clinical observation, formal test administration and test interpretation by a professional is the only way to differentially diagnose which children will outgrow their current difficulty and which children require treatment.

5. Don’t public agencies provide services for children?

Yes. Hospitals see children only until their 5th birthday. After the age of 5 it is the mandate of the School Board. Unfortunately, public services have a huge capacity problem. Learning disabilities have been on the rise for the last 15 years and agencies have had difficulty keeping up. Waiting lists are usually long and the level of service is sometimes limited. Services often emphasize screening and parent education. Their capacity for ongoing, intensive treatment is often constrained.

6. Don’t public agencies provide services for adults?

Yes, some agencies do. Hospitals and other health care facilities often have an under capacity to serve even the most urgent and high priority services for adults with Communication Disorders. Waiting lists are usually long and the level of service is often limited. Families who wish to have more intensive treatment for their family members choose to access private insurance and pay privately for services.

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