Frequently Asked Questions

For children, learning happens best when they feel safe. That is why feeding therapy at Parkview is supportive, encouraging and individualized. Sessions might include practicing oral-motor skills, exploring new foods, building chewing skills, working with different textures or helping a child become more comfortable around mealtime. Parents are an important part of the process. We will help you understand what we are working on and how you can support progress at home without turning every meal into therapy homework.

That is a question we hear from parents all the time. Children develop feeding skills differently, and occasional challenges are normal. But if feeding consistently feels stressful, uncomfortable or unusually difficult, an evaluation can help you understand why. You do not have to wait until feeding becomes a major struggle to ask questions. Sometimes an evaluation simply gives your family reassurance. Other times, it helps identify an area where a little extra support could make a meaningful difference.

After a frenectomy, your child may have more range of motion, but that does not always mean feeding suddenly feels completely different. Sometimes babies and children need time and support to adjust. Our team can help your child practice new movement patterns, improve coordination and build skills that support more comfortable, effective feeding. The goal is not simply more movement. The goal is helping your child use that movement in a way that makes everyday feeding easier.

A frenectomy can create more movement, but your child may still need help learning how to use that movement. Before a procedure, our team can look at how your child is feeding and moving now. That may include looking at tongue movement, latch, sucking patterns, oral strength and coordination, breast or bottle feeding, chewing and swallowing, and overall feeding comfort. This helps us understand the full picture and gives your family a clearer idea of what support may be helpful.

Before your appointment, you may want to ask: Do I have out-of-network benefits for pediatric therapy services? Do I need a physician referral? Is prior authorization required? What percentage of services is reimbursed? Is there a deductible that must be met first? What documentation do I need to submit a superbill? Are speech therapy, lactation services, or myofunctional therapy covered under my plan?

Although Parkview Therapy Services is not contracted with insurance providers, many families choose to use their out-of-network benefits. Depending on your plan, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement after submitting a superbill to your insurance company. Our team is happy to provide the documentation needed for eligible services, and we encourage families to contact their insurance provider before their appointment to ask about out-of-network therapy benefits.

A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes the information your insurance company may need to process an out-of-network reimbursement claim. Because Parkview Therapy Services is an out-of-network provider, payment is due at the time of your visit. If requested, we can provide a superbill for eligible therapy services that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and varies based on your individual insurance plan and out-of-network benefits. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your appointment to better understand your coverage.

Our team can discuss available payment options and help you understand costs before care begins.

Insurance coverage varies by service and individual plan. Our team can help review your benefits and discuss payment options before your appointment whenever possible.

Yes. When clinically appropriate, Summus Laser Therapy may be used as part of a comprehensive breastfeeding care plan to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and support healing of cracked or damaged nipples. Our lactation consultants also work closely with families to identify the underlying cause of nipple pain, whether it's related to latch, positioning, tongue tie, or other feeding challenges.

No. Children can typically return to normal activities immediately after treatment.

Usually not. Laser therapy is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan alongside speech therapy, lactation services, myofunctional therapy, or tongue tie treatment.

Treatment plans vary depending on your child's diagnosis, goals, and overall care plan.

Yes. When administered by trained professionals, laser therapy is a safe and gentle treatment option for infants when clinically appropriate.

No. Most patients experience little to no discomfort. Some experience a gentle warming sensation during treatment.

Depending on the patient's needs, Summus Laser Therapy may support tongue tie recovery, oral function, muscle tension, tissue healing, breastfeeding discomfort, painful or damaged nipples, post-procedure recovery, and inflammation.

Summus Laser Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to support the body's natural healing process. It may help reduce inflammation, promote tissue healing, improve circulation, and support recovery.

Treatment plans vary based on each child's goals and progress. Your therapist will discuss recommendations during the evaluation.

While Parkview primarily focuses on pediatric care, myofunctional therapy can benefit individuals of many ages. Ask our team whether this service is appropriate for your needs.

No. While many children with tongue ties benefit from myofunctional therapy, it can also support a wide range of oral function, breathing, swallowing, and muscle coordination concerns.

Yes. Therapy is often recommended both before and after a tongue tie release to retrain muscle patterns, improve mobility, and help children achieve long-term success.

Not always. Every child is different. Our team completes a comprehensive evaluation and works collaboratively to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Myofunctional therapy may help children with mouth breathing, tongue thrust, oral muscle weakness, swallowing concerns, tongue tie recovery, airway development concerns, and oral habits that affect growth and function.

Myofunctional therapy helps improve the function of the muscles of the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and face. It supports healthy breathing, swallowing, oral posture, feeding, speech, and long-term development.

Absolutely. We believe your care doesn't end after the procedure. Our team provides follow-up appointments, feeding support, therapy recommendations, and guidance throughout the healing process.

Many babies are encouraged to feed shortly after treatment. Your provider will give you specific instructions based on your baby's needs and care plan.

When clinically appropriate, laser frenectomies are a safe and gentle treatment option performed by trained providers.

A laser frenectomy is a procedure used to release restricted oral tissue, such as a tongue tie, lip tie, or cheek tie, when treatment is clinically appropriate. Laser technology allows for precise treatment and supports a gentle experience for infants and children.

Every baby is different. While many families notice significant improvements, some babies also benefit from lactation support, speech therapy, myofunctional therapy, or oral exercises to establish healthy feeding patterns.

No. Not every oral restriction requires treatment. Our providers evaluate function, symptoms, feeding concerns, and your child's individual needs before making recommendations.

Signs may include difficulty latching, painful breastfeeding, clicking sounds while feeding, leaking milk, long feeding sessions, poor weight gain, gas, reflux-like symptoms, or frustration during feeds. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine whether a tongue, lip, or cheek tie is contributing.

Bring your baby, feeding supplies, pump (if applicable), bottles, and any questions you may have. Our team will guide you through the rest.

Yes. Our lactation consultants work with families to identify the cause of breastfeeding pain and create a plan to improve comfort. When clinically appropriate, Summus Laser Therapy may also be used to support healing for cracked or damaged nipples.

Yes. Lactation support is often an important part of helping babies and parents adjust after a tongue, lip, or cheek tie release. Our team can help with latch, positioning, milk transfer, and feeding comfort.

No. Our lactation consultants support breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, combination feeding, and prenatal feeding education. Our goal is to help you meet your family's feeding goals.

No. Lactation support can be helpful whether your baby is a few days old or several months old.

You can schedule a lactation consultation during pregnancy, shortly after birth, or anytime feeding challenges arise. Families often seek support for latch difficulties, nipple pain, milk supply concerns, pumping questions, bottle feeding, or tongue tie concerns.

Yes. Speech therapy may be recommended before or after a tongue tie release to support oral motor function, feeding, speech development, and long-term progress.

Yes. Speech-language pathologists can evaluate and support many feeding and oral motor concerns, including chewing, swallowing, oral muscle coordination, and texture challenges.

Yes. Parent involvement is encouraged because children often make the greatest progress when families are actively involved.

Every child is different. Following the evaluation, we'll recommend a treatment plan based on your child's needs and goals.

Speech therapy can begin in infancy for feeding or oral motor concerns and throughout childhood for communication development. Early support can help children build important skills during key developmental stages.

Your child may benefit from a speech evaluation if they are difficult to understand, not meeting speech milestones, using fewer words than expected, struggling with language, having feeding concerns, or becoming frustrated when trying to communicate.

We're always here to help. If questions come up after your appointment, simply contact our team. We want every family to feel supported throughout their child's care.

Yes. We'll review our findings, answer your questions, and provide a personalized plan so you understand the next steps before leaving your appointment.

Sometimes. Depending on your child's needs and the type of appointment, treatment may begin during the first visit or be scheduled for a future appointment. Your provider will explain the best approach for your child.

Yes. We encourage parents and caregivers to attend whenever possible. Your involvement is an important part of your child's care.

Please bring completed paperwork, insurance information if applicable, identification, any previous evaluations or medical records, feeding supplies for infant appointments, and a list of questions or concerns.

Most initial evaluations last between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the type of appointment and your child's needs.

Your first visit is designed to help us get to know your child and understand your concerns. Your provider may review your child's history, complete an evaluation, answer your questions, and discuss personalized recommendations for next steps.

Absolutely. Collaboration is one of the things that makes Parkview unique. Our pediatric dentist, speech-language pathologist, lactation consultants, and therapy team communicate regularly to consider how feeding, speech, oral function, breathing, and development are connected, ensuring every child receives comprehensive, coordinated care.

Yes. One of the benefits of Parkview Therapy Services is our collaborative model of care. If appropriate, your child may receive coordinated care from multiple providers working together toward the same goals.

Yes. You can request an evaluation online, and our team will follow up to confirm your visit.

That's okay. Many parents contact us simply because something doesn't feel quite right. We're happy to answer your questions and help determine whether an evaluation would be beneficial.

If you have concerns about your child's speech, feeding, oral development, or overall communication, scheduling an evaluation can help determine whether therapy would be beneficial.

You do not have to figure that out alone. Our team will listen to your concerns and help guide you toward the provider or service that best fits your child's needs.

We provide care for infants, children, and adolescents. Some services, such as lactation support and infant oral function evaluations, begin in infancy. Other services, such as speech therapy and myofunctional therapy, support children throughout their developmental years.

Parkview Therapy Services provides comprehensive pediatric therapy services, including speech therapy, lactation services, myofunctional therapy, tongue, lip, and cheek tie evaluations, feeding support, and Summus Laser Therapy. Our providers work together to deliver coordinated, family-centered care for infants, children, and families.

Many families can schedule an appointment directly. Depending on your insurance plan or your child's specific needs, a referral may be required. Our team can help guide you through the process and answer questions before your appointment.