Speech therapy costs $100 to $250 per session on average with a private speech therapist not covered by insurance. The cost of speech and language therapy with insurance depends on your state, insurance plan, and medical diagnoses. Early intervention speech therapy is free for qualifying children under the age of 3.
| National Average Cost | $175 |
| Minimum Cost | $50 |
| Maximum Cost | $300 |
| Average Range | $100 to $250* |
Before starting speech therapy, you’ll need an initial assessment to determine the areas of difficulty, establish goals, and design an appropriate therapy plan. Evaluation appointments last 60 to 90+ minutes and cost $250 to $700+. Some therapists charge extra for the report write-up time needed after the appointment.
During the evaluation, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) reviews medical history, interacts with the client through conversation, play, or formal testing, assesses speech and language skills, and gathers additional information from teachers or parents if needed.
Get free estimates from speech therapists near you.Private speech therapy costs $65 to $250 per session on average without insurance, depending on the session type and length. Some private practices don't accept health insurance at all, while others accept insurance or use a sliding scale fee structure to make therapy more affordable if you're uninsured.
| Private therapy session type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Initial evaluation/assessment | $250 – $700 |
| 30-minute session | $65 – $175 |
| 60-minute session | $100 – $250 |
Some families choose private therapy in addition to or instead of public services to have greater control over the therapy location, session frequency, or certain techniques not covered by state programs.
Health insurance—Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance—often covers speech therapy, but coverage amounts vary depending on the state, plan, and medical diagnosis. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can also use those funds for speech therapy.
Contact your insurance provider to discuss your coverage and the required steps. Ask for the details listed below to make sure you understand your plan's benefits and limitations:
One of the biggest factors that influence the cost of speech and language therapy is whether it's covered by your health insurance. Age is also a major factor, as there are more free or low-cost therapy options for toddlers and school-age children than for adults. Other cost factors include:
Early Intervention speech therapy programs provide free speech therapy and other developmental services for qualifying babies and children younger than 3 years old. If a toddler demonstrates language delays or disorders, early intervention speech therapy will improve communication skills.
Contact your local Early Intervention program directly for an evaluation if you're concerned about your child's communication skills and development. You do not need a doctor's referral.
By law, qualifying children over age 3 may receive free or low-cost school-based speech therapy services. After a formal evaluation determines eligibility, therapy is arranged via an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) outlining the therapy amount, frequency, and setting based on the child's specific challenges and needs.
Reach out to your state contact for details about how your state implements the speech therapy services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Online speech therapy costs 10% to 15% less than in-person services due to the lower overhead compared to traditional therapy offices. Virtual sessions with video-calling allow greater flexibility and access to more providers and specialists, making it easier to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
You may not need a formal evaluation to start online speech therapy sessions, but an evaluation helps ensure your therapy plan that follows will address your specific needs.
While speech therapy is expensive, there are several options to help pay for needed services. In addition to health insurance and the public programs available for toddlers and school-age children, here are some other potential ways to save:
Speech therapy is a customized intervention tailored to each individual’s needs. After thoroughly evaluating a person’s abilities and challenges, the speech-language pathologist designs a treatment plan targeting specific speech, language, cognition, or swallowing goals.
Therapy focuses on improving the underlying muscles and coordination involved in speech production, building language comprehension and use, and practicing communication skills. Depending on the client's age and skill level, sessions may involve:
Speech therapy plans evolve as skills improve. Ongoing assessments track progress to ensure sessions remain productive.
When it comes to child development, acting quickly when problems emerge can prevent further developmental impacts down the road. Common warning signs of speech and language disorders include:
Speech therapy treats a wide range of communication disorders and swallowing difficulties in both children and adults.
Common pediatric conditions include:
Common adult conditions treated with speech therapy include:
Many health insurance plans cover speech therapy when it's considered medically necessary. The specific diagnosis may impact the level of coverage. Some plans cover rehabilitative therapy after illness or injury differently than developmental therapy.
Confirm your coverage, options, and limitations with your insurance provider before starting therapy.
Speech therapy sessions typically last 30 or 60 minutes, with one hour being most common. The therapist tailors the duration and frequency to the individual's needs and insurance requirements.
