Parent Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions parents ask most about our services, scholarships, home education, credentials, and how enrollment works.
Getting Started
The basics on visits, intake, and how enrollment works.
How do we begin the therapy process?
Everything starts with an initial phone consultation. During this call, we touch on three vital points:
- Insurance & Coverage: We verify your insurance to see how your child's needs are covered.
- Services & Scheduling: We discuss which services you are looking for to ensure our schedule aligns with your family's routine.
- Family Orientation: We schedule a first visit at no cost so you can meet the team and see our environment.
What is the Family Orientation?
This is a no-cost visit designed to build a foundation of trust. We sit down to discuss your family's concerns, daily routines, and expectations. It allows us to understand your child's history and lets your child get comfortable with the clinic and staff before any formal evaluation. You'll get a private tour of our space while we observe your child's communication style and natural interactions.
Does my child need a specific diagnosis to start?
No, a specific diagnosis is not required to begin. However, the referral from your pediatrician or neurologist must include a diagnostic impression or a current diagnosis. We focus on your child's unique strengths and challenges to create a customized evaluation and a Plan of Care tailored for the next 6 months.
What should I bring to the first appointment?
To ensure a smooth start, please bring the following:
- Caregiver's Photo ID: A valid identification for the parent or guardian.
- Insurance Card: The child's current medical insurance card.
- Medical Referrals: Referrals for the requested services (Speech and/or Occupational Therapy).
- Discharge Summary: If your child received therapy at another agency within the last 6 months, we require the discharge paperwork showing the last date of service.
How do you measure my child's progress?
We use evidence-based SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Because our Speech and Occupational Therapy teams work in close collaboration, we meet regularly to review your child's progress from a multidisciplinary perspective, ensuring that the goals remain functional for your child's daily life.
How long are the therapy sessions?
Therapy sessions are typically 60 minutes, with duration and frequency based on your child's individual needs and clinical authorization. During the final minutes, we brief the caregiver on what was worked on and home carryover strategies.
Do you provide services online or only in person?
All of our services — therapy, home education, and elective lessons — are delivered in person at our physical Hialeah Gardens location. Step Up guidance also requires home education instructional programs to operate at a physical location.
What are your hours?
Our general hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We're closed Saturdays and Sundays. Specific service schedules are set during enrollment to fit your family's weekly routine.
Scholarships & Payment
Step Up For Students, EMA, FES-UA — how funds move through us.
Which scholarships do you accept?
We are a listed provider in the EMA Marketplace for Step Up For Students families using FES-UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship — Unique Abilities). We do not currently accept PEP. For therapy services, we also accept medical insurance including Medicaid, CMS, and Sunshine Health.
How does EMA billing actually work?
Families find us in the EMA Marketplace, authorize sessions for billing through their EMA account, and direct-to-provider payments are typically processed after a service has been rendered. Step Up also offers reimbursement workflows for families who pay out of pocket first.
Can I use my scholarship to pay for music or art lessons?
Music lessons and art lessons can typically be included as elective enrichment within a home education instructional program. Note that "music therapy" and "art therapy" are separate credentialed clinical services with specific requirements — we offer lessons, not therapy. Verify how electives fit within your specific scholarship in the current Step Up handbook.
What if my child is on insurance that covers therapy?
Step Up guidance warns that expenses already paid by another source (including health insurance) should not be submitted for scholarship reimbursement. If you have both options, talk with Step Up about how to sequence payments correctly. Many families use scholarship funds for services insurance doesn't cover.
Do you publish your tuition?
Yes. Step Up guidance requires approved home education instructional programs to publish program descriptions and a tuition/fee schedule. We can share current pricing during the intake call.
Home Education
Florida home education statute, registration, and the HEIP distinction.
Are you a private school?
No. We are a home education instructional program that provides courses, small-group instruction, and learning supports used by parent-directed home education families. Step Up explicitly distinguishes home education instructional programs from private, virtual, public, and charter schools.
Do I need to register with the district as a home education student?
Yes, if you are using a district-registered home education program. Florida statute s. 1002.41 requires a written notice of intent within 30 days, a learning portfolio, and an annual educational evaluation. These are family responsibilities. Our role is to provide instructional services you can include in your child's sequential home education plan.
What's the difference between PEP and a district home education program?
They are different pathways. PEP is an ESA option under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship where parents direct their child's education. District-registered home education follows Florida statute s. 1002.41. Miami-Dade's home education intent form notes that families using PEP cannot simultaneously establish a home education program with the district.
Can FES-UA students be in home education?
Yes. Florida DOE guidance states that FES-UA students can satisfy attendance requirements through a home education program registered with the district. Home education students must meet the statutory requirements. Verify current rules in the Step Up handbook for your scholarship year.
Do you handle the portfolio and annual evaluation for me?
No — under Florida law the portfolio and annual educational evaluation are parent responsibilities. We can share what we observe and track during our sessions to help you document progress, but the statutory home education responsibilities remain with the family.
Therapy Services
Speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, credentials, and progress.
Are your therapists licensed?
Yes. Speech-language pathology and occupational therapy are both licensed professions in Florida. Our clinicians maintain appropriate Florida licensure, and credentials are available upon request.
How do you set therapy goals?
We start with an intake and baseline assessment, then set specific measurable goals with family input. Goals are reviewed and updated based on progress. We avoid guarantees — every child's growth is unique.
How often do you provide progress updates?
Regular written updates are part of every service. The exact frequency depends on the program and scholarship requirements, but families can always reach out between updates if they have questions.
Can my child do both speech therapy and occupational therapy?
Yes. Many families combine services, and our therapists coordinate to reinforce goals across sessions. Just let us know during intake and we'll map a schedule that works for your family.
What if my child needs a diagnosis or formal evaluation?
Our therapists can perform comprehensive clinical evaluations within their scope of practice. For medical diagnoses or evaluations outside our scope, we can help you find appropriate specialists in the Miami-Dade area.
Electives & Enrichment
Music and art lessons, and why they aren't the same as therapy.
What's the difference between music lessons and music therapy?
Music lessons are structured instruction focused on musicianship, technique, and practice habits. Music therapy is a clinical service delivered by board-certified music therapists (CBMT) within a therapeutic relationship — it's regulated as a clinical profession with specific credential requirements. We provide lessons, not therapy.
What's the difference between art lessons and art therapy?
Art lessons are structured instruction in drawing, painting, crafts, and other creative techniques. Art therapy is a mental health profession provided by clinicians credentialed by the Art Therapy Credentials Board within a therapeutic relationship. We offer lessons, not art therapy.
Can electives count toward a home education plan?
Elective music and art lessons can be included as enrichment within a parent-directed home education plan. Verify how electives fit within your specific scholarship year in the current Step Up handbook.
What ages do you accept for music and art lessons?
We welcome students across a wide age range. Younger children start with exploratory, play-based experiences. Older students move into more structured technique and repertoire or portfolio development.
Speech Therapy
Service-specific questions about speech-language pathology.
What does speech-language pathology actually cover?
Speech-language pathologists support communication broadly: how a person understands language (receptive), uses language (expressive), produces speech sounds (articulation and phonology), interacts socially (pragmatics), and in some cases fluency and voice. Many children see their language goals overlap with reading and writing.
Does FES-UA cover speech therapy?
Yes. Step Up's purchasing guidance lists licensed speech therapy as one of the specialized services eligible under FES-UA. Families book directly through the EMA Marketplace. Confirm current eligibility in the Step Up handbook for your scholarship year.
How long is a speech therapy session, and how often?
Sessions are 60 minutes, typically once or twice a week depending on your child's goals. Frequency is determined together during intake and the individualized plan.
Do you work with non-verbal or minimally verbal children?
Yes. We support children across a wide range of communication profiles, including those who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tools, visual supports, and gestural systems.
Can my child do both speech therapy and home education with you?
Yes. Many families combine therapy sessions with our home education instructional program. We coordinate schedules and goals so your child gets a consistent experience across services.
Occupational Therapy
Service-specific questions about pediatric occupational therapy.
What is occupational therapy, exactly?
Occupational therapy helps people participate in everyday activities — the things they need and want to do each day. For children, that includes play, learning, self-care, and routines. Therapists use purposeful activities and coaching to help children develop the skills they need to participate more fully.
Does FES-UA cover occupational therapy?
Yes. Step Up's purchasing guidance lists licensed occupational therapy as one of the specialized services eligible under FES-UA. Families book directly through the EMA Marketplace. Verify current eligibility in the Step Up handbook for your scholarship year.
Do you treat sensory processing disorder?
We support sensory processing challenges as they affect daily participation — for example, helping a child tolerate classroom noise or become more comfortable with textures during self-care. We frame our work around participation and engagement rather than diagnosing or treating specific medical conditions.
How long is an occupational therapy session, and how often?
Sessions are 60 minutes. Frequency depends on your child's goals and is determined during intake. Many families begin with weekly sessions and adjust as progress builds.
Will you coach me on what to do at home?
Yes. Parent coaching is a core part of our practice. We share strategies, routines, and activities you can weave into daily life so progress carries over outside the therapy session.
Music Lessons
Instruments, practice, scheduling, and what to expect.
Do we need to bring our own instrument?
It depends on the instrument. Piano students practice at our location; for portable instruments like guitar, flute, or saxophone, families typically rent or purchase their own. We can recommend rental programs that work well for beginners.
How often should my child practice at home?
Consistency matters more than length — short, regular sessions (10–20 minutes daily for younger students, longer for older ones) build skills faster than occasional long sessions. Your teacher will set practice expectations during lessons.
What does the research say about music and cognitive benefits?
The research is mixed. Some meta-analyses report positive effects of music training on skills like self-regulation and inhibitory control in young learners; other studies find no consistent broad cognitive benefits. We focus on the direct, observable benefits: musicianship, listening skills, practice habits, and the confidence that comes with mastering an instrument.
Can my child combine music lessons with therapy services?
Yes. Many families combine elective music lessons with therapy services like speech or occupational therapy. Lessons and therapy serve different purposes and are scheduled independently.
Art Lessons
Materials, skills, and what students build over time.
Are supplies included in art lessons?
Most class fees include the basic supplies used during sessions (paper, paint, brushes, clay). For students who want to continue practicing at home, we provide a recommended supply list and can point you to budget-friendly options.
Will my child learn real art skills, or is it just for fun?
Both. Our lessons are structured around real artistic skills — observation, technique, color, composition — while keeping the experience joyful and exploratory. Children who stay with lessons build real portfolios and real confidence as young artists.
What does the research say about art and child development?
Research reviews, including work from the National Endowment for the Arts, describe connections between arts participation in early childhood and social and emotional benefits. These reviews are not guarantees for any one child — but consistent creative practice builds skills, confidence, and habits that translate beyond the studio.
Can my child combine art lessons with therapy services?
Yes. Many families pair elective art lessons with therapy services like speech or occupational therapy. Lessons and therapy serve different purposes and are scheduled independently.
Still have questions?
Every family is different. If something isn't covered here, we'd rather answer it on a call than leave you guessing.