Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
We are not in network with any insurance carriers. We are private pay and are considered an out of network provider. Circles of Communication will provide an itemized invoice at the end of each month that you may submit for reimbursement from your insurance company. We are registered with Remibursify, a service that aims to make the claims process as easy as possible.
Where will sessions take place?
Individual therapy sessions are offered at The Potato House, a dome shaped dwelling set on 6 acres of land in Stockton, New Jersey. Sessions are also available in the comfort of your own home, in the community, virtually (i.e. telepractice), and at our Star Thrower Group office in Flemington, New Jersey. Please note there is limited availability for in-home sessions and a reasonable travel fee is incurred.
Do you require an evaluation to begin services?
We do not offer or require formal evaluations or doctor's referrals in order to initiate therapy. We do provide informal evaluations that consist of natural language sampling, assessment of developmental levels, case history review, and will happily review any previous evaluations you'd like to share. With this information, we will set goals and develop an individualized treatment plan that consider's your child's unique communication style, sensory profile, and interests.
How long are therapy sessions and what is the cost?
We offer hour-long sessions where 50 minutes are dedicated to direct therapy, parent education, and consultation, and the last 10 minutes are reserved for transitioning, documentation, and disinfecting. Shorter sessions of 45 and 30 minutes are available based on availability and need. If your session is at The Potato House, you are always welcome to spend additional time before or after your session enjoying our farm and Mindfulness Trail! Please email circlesofcommunication@gmail.com for our current rates.
What is your therapy approach?
Circles of Communication uses a client-led and play-based approach rooted in evidence-based practices including the DIR/Floortime and NLA frameworks. Research supports the practice of client-led, play-based therapy for the advancement of communication, cognitive, motor, and emotional skills. These practices are built on mutual trust and respect, promote a “flow state" for optimal learning, and, importantly, elicit voluntary communication from our clients! Rather than doing drill work at a table, we follow our client's lead and incorporate plenty of movement to make the learning process fun and engaging. Sessions are tailored to individual communication styles, sensory needs, and interests. Read more about our approach here.
What is natural language acquisition (NLA)?
Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) is a systematic way of looking at language development from echolalia (the repetition or echoing of words or sounds) to self-generated grammar based on work by Dr. Barry Prizant and expanded upon by Marge Blanc. Children who use echolalia are ‘gestalt language processors,’ meaning they process early language in ‘whole’ strings of sounds, or ‘chunks’, rather than processing single words ('analytic language processors'). While many on the autistic spectrum are gestalt language processors, this type of processing is a natural variation and not a disorder. Many neurotypical children begin acquiring language as gestalts. NLA acknowledges the communicative intent underlying echolalia and helps the child break apart their gestalt scripts and recombine the pieces into new combinations, phrases, and sentences in a strategic way. Learn more here.
What is DIR/Floortime?
DIR stands for the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Weider. In the DIR/Floortime model, “functional emotional developmental capacities” refer to a series of developmental milestones that learners can be expected to meet on their learning path. Each developmental capacity contributes to a child’s ability to achieve necessary emotional awareness skills for engagement, relating, communication, thinking, and reasoning. Using this approach, providers consider a child’s developmental capacities and individualized sensory profile in addition to establishing and maintaining a positive, trusting relationship to strengthen functional life capacities, develop meaningful connections, and promote lifelong learning. Learn more here.
Why should sensory processing be considered?
Understanding and considering each client's unique sensory processing system is imperative for supporting their regulatory needs. We focus on exploring a variety of sensory-based regulation strategies throughout each session because we know regulation is a critical pre-requisite for effective communication and optimal learning. Think about the last time you felt stressed or angry: were you able to communicate clearly?!
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a social movement that views cognitive differences like autism and ADHD are the result of normal, natural variations in the vastly complex and diverse human genome. Instead of viewing these variances as pathological in nature, the neurodiversity model asserts that cognitive differences have been present throughout history and have added immeasurable value to human evolution and society. All of our therapy practices are neurodiversity-affirming, meaning our goal is never to inherently change or "fix," our clients, but rather to help them identify and build skills that will support them in becoming the best version of themselves and living a joyful life.
What are executive functions?
Executive functions are a group of cognitive skills that include the abilities to think, plan, reason, remember, and more. We use these skills every day to manage the responsibilities of daily life, regulate emotions, impulses, and exercise mental flexibility. Challenges with executive functions can make it hard to focus, follow directions, initiate plans, manage emotions, learn, work, and maintain relationships. Most of our clients demonstrate challenges in this areas and our sessions work to strengthen these skills in various age-appropriate ways.
Do you work with all ages?
Yes! We provide services to both children and adults. We specialize in meeting the needs of individuals who are autistic or neurodiverse however we find the supports we put into place generally work well for all abilities!
Have another question?
No problem, we’re here to help! Email your question to circlesofcommunication@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below, and we will respond to your inquiry directly. You can also call us at 609-954-8245.
