Speech Therapy Clinics in Chattanooga, TN
Speech Therapy Clinics in Chattanooga, TN
- 4071 S. Access Road, Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37406
- (423) 894-4774
- pediatricsplustn.com
- Speech-language and feeding therapy alongside occupational therapy and physical therapy
- What they're known for: A Chattanooga therapy clinic offering speech-language and feeding therapy alongside occupational and physical therapy under one roof, with appointments scheduled by phone and a stated commitment to a clean and safe facility.
- 2212 Encompass Dr, Suite 148, Chattanooga, TN 37421
- (423) 622-6900
- speechhearing.com
- Speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hippotherapy, audiology, hearing testing and hearing aids, newborn screenings, auditory processing disorder
- What they're known for: Nonprofit serving the Tennessee Valley since 1953, the only one of its kind in Chattanooga, seeing all ages and income levels. Offers a sliding fee scale for the uninsured or underinsured.
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Treat?
Three things that are often collapsed into one. Speech is the sounds — articulation, clarity, stuttering. Language is the meaning — understanding what is said, and getting ideas out, whether in words, gestures, signs or a device. Feeding and swallowing is the mouth's other job, and speech-language pathologists assess and treat that too. Most toddlers referred for speech therapy have a language question rather than a speech one, and the therapy for that looks nothing like drilling sounds.
Conditions Speech Therapy Can Help With
Speech-language pathologists work with late talking and language delay, articulation and phonological disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, stuttering and fluency, social and pragmatic communication, autism, hearing loss, augmentative and alternative communication, and pediatric feeding and swallowing. Many clinics also offer evaluations for children whose difficulty has not yet been named.
How to Choose a Speech Therapist in Chattanooga
The right speech therapist is the one who fits your child’s needs, your schedule and your budget. Here is what to weigh:
- Check credentials. Look for a speech therapist with a current Tennessee license, and ask about pediatric experience specifically — treating children is a different skill from treating adults.
- Match the specialty to the need. Ask how often the therapist treats your child’s particular concern, rather than whether they treat children in general.
- Confirm insurance and cost up front. Check in-network status, copays, visit limits and prior authorization, or ask for a superbill if the clinic is private-pay. TennCare covers medically necessary speech therapy for eligible children.
- Consider the setting. Clinic, in-home, school-based and telehealth all suit different children. Ask which the clinic offers.
- Ask what progress will look like. A good therapist can name the goal being worked toward, how it will be measured, and roughly when to expect movement on it.
Speech Therapy Resources in Chattanooga
- Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) Tennessee’s early intervention program, run by the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging, for children birth until the start of the school year following the child’s fourth birthday. It provides speech therapy among other services. If a child is determined eligible for TEIS, they will receive services at no cost to the family.
- TennCare Covers medically necessary speech therapy for eligible children. Coverage limits and prior-authorization rules vary by plan.
- Your school district Public schools provide speech therapy through an IEP for eligible students, where the difficulty affects access to education. School services and private therapy address different things and often run alongside each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover speech therapy in Tennessee?
Many Tennessee health plans cover speech therapy when it is medically necessary, and TennCare covers it for eligible children. Coverage limits, prior-authorization rules and visit caps vary by plan, so verify benefits before the first appointment.
What if my child is under three?
Tennessee’s early intervention program is Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), for children birth until the start of the school year following the child’s fourth birthday, and it includes speech therapy. If a child is determined eligible for TEIS, they will receive services at no cost to the family. A parent can refer their own child; no doctor’s referral is needed.
Does the school district provide speech therapy?
Public schools provide speech therapy through an IEP for eligible students, where the difficulty affects access to education. That is a different question from private therapy, and many children have both.
How do I choose between the clinics on this page?
Start with the ones whose listed services name your child’s concern, then check setting, insurance and waiting time. Every listing here links to the clinic’s own website, and a listing is not an endorsement.
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Medical disclaimer. This directory is for general informational purposes. A listing is not an endorsement, referral, or recommendation, and inclusion does not mean we have verified a provider’s credentials, licensure, or insurance. Confirm those directly with the provider before booking.