Speech Therapy Clinics in Birmingham, AL

Speech Therapy Clinics in Birmingham, AL

  • 1600 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233 (outpatient and inpatient services at multiple sites)
  • (205) 638-9100
  • childrensal.org
  • Articulation and phonological disorders, AAC, dysphagia/swallowing (including FEES and modified barium swallow studies), fluency, receptive/expressive language, oral-motor and feeding, and voice/resonance (including cleft); aerodigestive, cleft, ENT, and autism clinics
  • What they're known for: As Alabama's flagship pediatric hospital, Children's of Alabama offers hospital-level, multidisciplinary speech-language care across both outpatient and inpatient settings — a strong choice for families whose child has complex, medical, or co-occurring needs such as cleft palate, swallowing disorders, or aerodigestive conditions.
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
  • 2017 Canyon Rd #45, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
  • (205) 968-1348
  • connectgroupal.com
  • Pediatric speech-language evaluations and assessments; clinic-based therapy, teletherapy, and parent coaching
  • In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, AllKids, and Medicaid; private pay accepted
  • What they're known for: A Vestavia Hills practice focused squarely on pediatric speech and language, with teletherapy and parent-coaching options that help families extend progress between visits.
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
  • 2151 Old Rocky Ridge Rd #100, Hoover, AL 35216
  • (205) 978-9939
  • childsplaytherapycenter.com
  • Speech and feeding therapy, with early-intervention experience
  • In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Tricare, and Viva
  • What they're known for: A Hoover clinic with early-intervention experience and a long list of accepted insurers, making it a practical option for families seeking speech and feeding therapy together.
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →
  • 1700 29th Ct S, Homewood, AL 35209 (center-based)
  • (205) 870-0081
  • thebellcenter.org
  • Transdisciplinary early intervention including speech-language pathology for children birth to age three; an Alabama Early Intervention System (AEIS) program
  • What they're known for: A center-based early-intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental concerns, delivering speech-language services within a transdisciplinary team — and operating as part of the Alabama Early Intervention System for the birth-to-three window.
Is this your practice? Claim this listing →

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 Birmingham

The "best" speech therapist is the one who fits your child's specific needs, your schedule, and your budget. Here's what to weigh:

  • Check credentials. Look for an SLP who holds ASHA's Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and a current Alabama license. For specialized needs, ask about extra training (for example, in childhood apraxia, orofacial myofunctional therapy, or feeding).
  • Match the specialty to the need. A practice that excels at feeding therapy, AAC, or myofunctional work may differ from one focused on articulation or stuttering. Ask whether the therapist regularly treats your child's specific concern.
  • Confirm insurance and cost up front. Verify in-network status, copays, visit limits, and whether prior authorization is required — or ask for a superbill if the practice is private-pay. Many Birmingham practices accept Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Viva, and Alabama Medicaid/AllKids.
  • Consider the setting. Some children thrive in a clinic; others do better with in-home or daycare-based therapy, or teletherapy. Several Birmingham providers offer all three.
  • Ask about caregiver involvement. Strong programs coach parents so progress continues between sessions. Ask how they'll keep you involved and how they measure progress.
  • Trust the rapport. Your child should feel comfortable. Many practices offer a brief consultation — use it to gauge fit before committing.

Questions to ask during a consultation

  1. What is your experience with my child's diagnosis?
  2. How will you set and track goals?
  3. How often will sessions be, and for how long?
  4. How do you involve parents?
  5. What happens if we don't see progress?

Speech Therapy Resources in Birmingham

  • Alabama Early Intervention System (AEIS) Free, family-centered developmental support and speech evaluations for children birth to age three across Alabama.
  • Children's of Alabama Pediatric evaluations, multidisciplinary clinics (including aerodigestive, cleft, and feeding), and developmental resources for families statewide.
  • The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs Center-based early intervention in Homewood for infants and toddlers with developmental concerns.
  • Alabama Medicaid & AllKids Coverage for medically necessary speech therapy for eligible children in Alabama.
  • Your child's school district Public schools provide speech-language services through IEPs and 504 plans for eligible students.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does speech therapy cost in Birmingham, Alabama?

Out-of-pocket speech therapy in the Birmingham area typically runs about $100–$180 per session at private practices, while hospital-affiliated programs such as Children's of Alabama may bill differently. Many Birmingham providers accept commercial insurance and Alabama Medicaid (including AllKids), which can reduce your cost to a copay or to $0 for covered, medically necessary services. Always confirm rates and coverage directly with the provider.

Does insurance cover speech therapy in Alabama?

Many Alabama health plans cover speech therapy when it is medically necessary, and Alabama Medicaid and AllKids cover speech therapy for eligible children. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Viva Health, Aetna, and Tricare are commonly accepted by Birmingham practices, though coverage limits and prior-authorization rules vary by plan. Some practices are private-pay only and can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement, so verify benefits before starting.

How long are typical speech therapy sessions?

Most pediatric speech therapy sessions in Birmingham last 30 to 60 minutes, with younger children often starting at 30 minutes. Evaluations usually take 60 to 90 minutes. Frequency commonly ranges from once to twice a week depending on the child's goals and the therapist's recommendation.

At what age should my child start speech therapy?

There is no age that is too early. The Alabama Early Intervention System (AEIS) serves children from birth to age three at no cost to families, and many Birmingham practices evaluate toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. If you have concerns about your child's speech clarity, vocabulary, or social communication, an evaluation can be done at any age.

Do Birmingham speech therapists offer teletherapy or in-home visits?

Yes. Several Birmingham-area providers — including Steel City Speech, Progress Therapy Services, Pediatric Foundations Therapy, and Endless Speech and Language Service — offer in-home visits, daycare or school-based services, and/or teletherapy in addition to clinic-based care. Connect Birmingham and Salt & Light also offer teletherapy or virtual sessions.

What conditions do pediatric speech therapists in Birmingham treat?

Birmingham speech-language pathologists commonly treat articulation and phonological disorders, language delays, childhood apraxia of speech, stuttering and fluency, social/pragmatic communication difficulties (including for autistic children), feeding and swallowing concerns, oral-motor and myofunctional issues, and they provide AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) support.

How long is the wait for a first appointment?

It varies by practice rather than by city, so it is worth asking when you call — a clinic with a long wait for weekly therapy will often book an evaluation much sooner, and some hold cancellation slots. Because of that, most families contact more than one practice on this page rather than waiting on the first. If your child is under three, your state's early intervention program runs on its own timeline and is worth starting in parallel.

What to do next

If none of them fit, these widen the search.

For clinics

Are you a speech therapy clinic in Birmingham?

List your practice and appear alongside the clinics above when local families search.

List your practice →

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. DrSensory is not affiliated with the practices listed.