Frequently Asked Questions

A lot more than most people expect! SLPs work with communication in all its forms — speaking, understanding language, using an AAC device, social interaction, and more. At Heyday, we work specifically with children whose communication is developing differently, and we help both your child and your family figure out the best ways to connect and communicate together.

If you have a gut feeling something is off, that's usually reason enough to reach out. Common reasons families come to us: your child isn't talking yet (or has stopped talking), their speech is hard for others to understand, they have difficulty following directions, socializing feels really hard for them, or they've recently received an autism diagnosis and you're not sure where to start.

You don't need a referral to contact us. Reach out directly to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and we'll help you figure out if an evaluation makes sense.

Nope. You can contact us directly. Some insurance plans do require a referral for coverage purposes, so it's worth checking with your insurance provider — but you don't need one to get the conversation started with us.

A free 15-minute phone consultation with Renée. It's a chance to tell us what's going on, ask questions, and find out if Heyday is a good fit for your family. No commitment, no pressure.

An evaluation at Heyday is a chance for us to get a full picture of how your child communicates — not just what they can't do yet, but what they are doing and how they're making sense of the world. We use a combination of standardized assessments, play-based observation, and a detailed parent interview (because you know your child better than any test does).

Evaluations typically take 1.5–2 hours. Afterward, we'll go over findings with you and talk through next steps together.

You'll receive a written report within 2–3 weeks of your evaluation appointment. We also schedule a follow-up conversation to walk through the results together so nothing gets lost in translation.

That's more common than you'd think, and we're prepared for it. Our evaluations are low-pressure and flexible. We work at your child's pace and gather information in multiple ways — so one tough day doesn't derail the whole process. Feel free to let us know ahead of time about anything that might help your child feel more comfortable.

A speech-language evaluation can identify communication patterns that are common in autistic people, but a formal autism diagnosis comes from a developmental pediatrician or psychologist. We're happy to collaborate with other providers and can share our findings to support a broader diagnostic picture.

Therapy here is child-led and play-based — which means we follow your child's interests and let them set the pace. You won't see flashcard drills or rote repetition. You'll see a clinician getting on the floor, following your child's lead, and creating opportunities for communication that feel natural and fun.

We work with children of all ages and communication styles, including children who are nonspeaking or minimally speaking.

It depends on your child's needs and your family's schedule. We'll make a recommendation after the evaluation, but most children are seen once a week to start.

Yes — and we really mean that. Parent involvement is a big part of how therapy works at Heyday. You're not just sitting in the waiting room. We'll keep you informed, explain what we're working on and why, and give you practical ways to support your child's communication at home.

Absolutely. We believe all children communicate — sometimes just not in the ways people expect. We're experienced in supporting children who use AAC devices, sign, gesture, echolalia, and other forms of communication. If your child has been told they "aren't ready" for AAC, we'd love to talk with you.

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. It's an umbrella term for all the ways people communicate beyond spoken words — including picture boards, speech-generating devices, sign language, and apps like Proloquo2Go or TouchChat. AAC is for anyone who has difficulty communicating through speech alone.

This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and the short answer is no. Research consistently shows that AAC does not reduce the development of speech — in many cases, it actually supports it. When your child has a reliable way to communicate, everything else gets easier.

Almost certainly not. There is no prerequisite for AAC. There's no minimum age, cognitive level, or set of skills a child needs to have first. If your child has difficulty communicating verbally, they deserve access to tools that help them right now — not after they've "earned" it. We'd love to evaluate and support your child regardless of what you've been told before.

Yes. Supporting autistic children and their families is at the heart of what Heyday does. We use neurodiversity-affirming, child-led approaches — which means we're not here to make your child behave in a more neurotypical way. We're here to help them communicate in the way that works best for them, build on their strengths, and help your family connect more deeply.

Gestalt Language Processing is a different way of acquiring language. Many autistic children (and some non-autistic children) are Gestalt Language Processors, meaning they learn language in whole chunks rather than word by word. You might notice this as scripting, echolalia (repeating phrases from movies, books, or conversations), or what sounds like "random" phrases. It's actually a meaningful and valid way of communicating — it just needs to be understood differently. Renée has specialized training in supporting Gestalt Language Processors.

First: take a breath. A diagnosis can feel like a lot to absorb, and there's no one right way to respond to it. We work with a lot of families right at this stage, and we're here to answer questions, explain what we see in your child, and help you figure out next steps without the overwhelm. Start with a free consultation and we'll go from there together.

We're in Holladay, Utah — 4625 S 2300 E, Suite 206, Holladay, UT 84117. Easy to get to from Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.

We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Select Health (Value, Med, Share, Choice), UHealth, EMI, and PEHP. We are also approved vendors for Utah Fits All and the Utah Children's First Education Foundation.

If you don't see your plan listed, reach out and we'll help you figure out your options.

Yes! We offer teletherapy to families anywhere in Utah. It's a great option for families who can't make it to our Holladay office or simply prefer the convenience of connecting from home.

We work with children ages 2–12. If your child is outside that range and you're not sure where to turn, we're happy to point you in the right direction.

Reach out! We love hearing from families and we'll do our best to get back to you quickly. You can also schedule a free 15-minute consult and ask us directly.