1. What is a speech-language pathologist?

A clinician that diagnoses and provides treatment for children and adults with a variety of speech-language, cognitive, voice and feeding/swallowing problems.

2. What is an occupational therapist?

A clinician that is trained to assist people to perform the functional tasks that normally occupy their lives. The occupation of a child is to develop the skills necessary to become functional and independent adults.


3. What are signs of communication disorders?

Signs of communication disorders include, but are not limited to:

• Lack of interest in talking
• Feeding problems
• Limited eye contact
• Easily distractsable
• Oral motor problems such as excessive drooling
• Trouble with solid foods
• Limited vocabulary
• Children pointing and grunting rather than using words
• Speech that is difficult to understand 

4. What is autism?

According to the Autism Society of America,"autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees."

5. What are signs of autism?

• Lack of or delay in spoken language
• Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
• Little or no eye contact
• Lack of interest in peer relationships
• Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
• Persistent fixation on parts of objects

6. Will my insurance pay for therapy?

Most major insurance carriers will pay for evaluations and some will also pay for therapy. You may contact our office to determine if therapy is a covered service.

7. How do I make a referral?

To make a referral for a speech-language or occuapational therapy evaluation please call First Choice Speech Therapy at 662-298-0066 .

First Choice Speech Therapy
190 West South St.
Hernando, MS 38632
Office (662) 298-0066 Fax (662) 298-0067
Email: robinsont@firstchoicespeech.com