Your First Appointment

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1
INTAKE, PREP, & CHECK-IN
Complete new patient paperwork, Confirm insurance, Schedule initial appointment or Evaluation.
2
INITIAL EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT
Meet your therapist, finalize paperwork/insurance, and take medical history.
3
FIRST SESSION
Parent interview to discuss concerns and goals, therapy observation and play-based assessment, standard testing.
4
PERSONALIZED TREATMENT PLAN
Based on the child's individual needs and goals the therapist will provide recommended treatment.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Pediatric Therapy Appointment

Download our Helpful Guide

For All Appointments:

Regardless of therapy type, every first visit follows a welcoming and informative structure:

1. Before the Visit

  • Complete intake paperwork in-office

  • Gather medical history, prior evaluations, and school notes

  • Confirm insurance coverage and scheduling

2. At the Appointment

  • Warm welcome to help your child feel at ease

  • Parent interview to learn about your goals and concerns

  • Observation and interaction with your child through age-appropriate play or tasks

  • Therapist evaluates developmental, communication, motor, sensory, or social-emotional skills, depending on specialty

3. After the Appointment

  • Immediate impressions and recommendations

  • Discussion of therapy goals and schedule if therapy is needed

  • Opportunity to ask questions and get feedback

  • A formal evaluation report is typically shared within a few days

4. Follow-up and Scheduling
  • Please take some time to discuss and consider your next steps at home, or you may schedule your initial therapy appointment while at the clinic.
  • A therapist or patient coordinator will follow up a few days after your evaluation or appointment to discuss scheduling and ensure your appointment is set.

Specific Therapies

A clear and parent-friendly outline of the steps and what to expect from a first appointment with our pediatric therapist(s).

Use the drop down menus to select your desired service.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Evaluations:

  • Parent Interview: A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will meet with you to discuss your child’s:

    • Strengths and areas of concern

    • Communication and social skills

    • Behaviors that may interfere with learning or daily life

  • Direct Observation: The BCBA will interact with your child in a comfortable, play-based setting to observe:

    • Communication and play skills

    • Following directions

    • Reactions to everyday tasks and transitions

  • Skills Assessment: Depending on age and needs, the BCBA may use formal tools like:

    • VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program)

    • ABLLS-R (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills – Revised)

    • Or other behavior/skill-based assessments

After the Evaluation:

  • Individualized Treatment Plan: The BCBA will create a plan that includes:

    • Behavior goals (e.g., improving communication, reducing unsafe behaviors)

    • Teaching strategies and reinforcement plans

    • Session frequency and caregiver involvement

  • Parent Review (if needed): You’ll meet again to review the proposed plan, ask questions, and discuss next steps.

  • Start of Therapy: Once approved (by insurance, if applicable), therapy sessions can begin.

Occupational Therapy (OT) Evaluations:

  • Focus on fine motor skills, sensory processing, daily life activities, and emotional regulation

  • Child may be asked to complete puzzles, string beads, play with putty, or imitate movements

  • Sensory sensitivities or behavioral patterns may also be observed

Physical Therapy (PT) Evaluations:

  • Evaluates gross motor skills, balance, coordination, muscle strength, and mobility

  • Your child may walk, run, jump, or complete other movement-based tasks

  • Therapist will look for delays in motor milestones or signs of muscle weakness/tightness

Speech Therapy (SLP) Evaluations:

  • Assesses speech clarity, language understanding, expressive skills, social communication, and feeding/swallowing if needed

  • May use picture cards, simple games, or short questions to assess how your child communicates

  • If your child is nonverbal, alternative methods of communication will be explored

Teletherapy

You will be notified via email with instructions on how to login to the secure platform (usually Zoom or Microsoft Teams). Patients, with guidance from a parent, will use a electronic device to login to our secure platform and work with a trained therapist for their session. The therapist may call on certain materials to have prepared before the session time begins. Visit our list of supplies you might need during a session, that we recommend you keep close to your computer during your scheduled time.

  • Acceptable device: computer, tablet or IPAD
  • Reliable internet service
  • A webcam (either on your computer or an external webcam)
  • Microphone
  • Online platforms used: Zoom or Microsoft Teams
  • Here is a list of supplies you might need for each discipline

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