Top 10 Speech Therapists in Des Moines, Iowa (2026)

Verified June 2026. Listings reflect publicly available information from provider websites and directories. Always confirm current services, availability, and insurance directly with the provider.

Finding the right speech-language pathologist can change the trajectory of a child's communication, confidence, and learning. Whether your child is working through an articulation delay, a language disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, a feeding or swallowing difficulty, or social-communication challenges tied to autism or sensory processing differences, the Des Moines metro offers a solid range of pediatric speech therapy providers. Care here is anchored by Blank Children's Hospital — part of UnityPoint Health, the dominant health system in central Iowa — and by ChildServe, a long-standing nonprofit serving children with developmental and complex needs, alongside specialized private practices, bilingual clinics, and teletherapy options that reach families across Polk, Dallas, and surrounding counties.

To build this guide, we reviewed Des Moines-area speech-language practices and verified that each is currently operating, then captured the specialties, locations, and service models that matter most to families. We list every provider that met our verification bar; the order below reflects breadth of services and accessibility, not a paid or scored ranking. Iowa families also have two important public resources to lean on: Early ACCESS, the state's free birth-to-three early-intervention program, and Iowa Medicaid and Hawki, which can cover medically necessary speech therapy for eligible children. Use this list as a starting point, then call the practices that fit your child's needs and your insurance.

Top 10 Speech Therapy Providers in Des Moines, IA

How to Choose a Speech Therapist in Des Moines

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 Iowa license. For specialized needs, ask about extra training (for example, feeding approaches like SOS, or myofunctional therapy).
• Match the specialty to the need. A practice that excels at feeding therapy or myofunctional work may differ from one focused on articulation or language. 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 — and ask whether the practice accepts Iowa Medicaid or Hawki, or can provide a superbill if it is private-pay.
• Consider the setting. Some children thrive in a clinic; others do better with in-home therapy or teletherapy. Several Des Moines providers, including the Blank Children's suburban clinics and Rise Pediatric Therapy, offer more than one option.
• Ask about caregiver involvement. Strong programs coach parents so progress continues between sessions, and several local clinics pair treatment blocks with home programming. 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: What is your experience with my child's diagnosis? How will you set and track goals? How often will sessions be, and for how long? How do you involve parents? What happens if we don't see progress?

Speech Therapy Resources in Des Moines

• Early ACCESS Iowa — The state's free early-intervention program offering developmental support and speech evaluations for children from birth to age three.
• Iowa Medicaid & Hawki — State coverage programs that can fund medically necessary speech therapy for eligible children.
• UnityPoint Health – Blank Children's Hospital — Pediatric evaluations, multidisciplinary clinics, and developmental resources for families across central Iowa.
• ChildServe — A central-Iowa nonprofit offering therapy, evaluations, and family support for children with developmental and complex needs.
• Your child's school district (Des Moines Public Schools / Heartland AEA) — Public schools and Iowa's Area Education Agencies provide speech-language services for eligible students through IEPs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does speech therapy cost in Des Moines, Iowa?

Out-of-pocket speech therapy in the Des Moines area typically runs about $100–$180 per session for private practices, while hospital-affiliated programs may bill higher rates. Many Des Moines providers accept commercial insurance and Iowa Medicaid (including Hawki), 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 Iowa?

Many Iowa health plans cover speech therapy when it is medically necessary, and Iowa Medicaid and the Hawki children's program cover speech therapy for eligible children. Coverage limits, prior-authorization rules, and visit caps vary by plan, so verify benefits before starting. Some Des Moines practices do not state which plans they accept, so call ahead, and ask about a superbill if a practice is private-pay or out-of-network.

How long are typical speech therapy sessions?

Most pediatric speech therapy sessions in Des Moines 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, and some Blank Children's programs are delivered in roughly 12-week treatment blocks paired with home programming.

At what age should my child start speech therapy?

There is no age that is too early. Iowa's Early ACCESS program serves children from birth to age three with free early-intervention support, and many Des Moines practices evaluate toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. If you have concerns about your child's speech clarity, vocabulary, feeding, or social communication, an evaluation can be done at any age.

Do Des Moines speech therapists offer teletherapy or in-home visits?

Yes. Several Des Moines-area providers offer teletherapy or in-home care — including Rise Pediatric Therapy and Iowa ENT Center, which provide telehealth, and the UnityPoint Health – Blank Children's suburban clinics in West Des Moines and Ankeny, which offer in-home services in addition to clinic-based care.

What conditions do pediatric speech therapists in Des Moines treat?

Des Moines speech-language pathologists commonly treat articulation and phonological disorders, language delays, childhood apraxia of speech, feeding and swallowing concerns (including the SOS and Get Permission approaches), myofunctional and tongue-thrust issues, and social/pragmatic language difficulties, including for autistic children. Bilingual English/Spanish services are available at some clinics.

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