FAQ

Pinecone Therapies is one of the oldest speech and autism practices in the DFW and Houston area. The Executive Director is committed to the pursuit of the client’s progress and growth. Our client list includes families from across the state, as well as, agencies and school districts that include, but are not limited to:

Dallas/Ft Worth

Hurst Euless Bedford ISD

Keller ISD
Northwest ISD
Carroll ISD
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Birdville ISD
Education Service Centers 2,4,6,7 10, 11
Forth Worth ISD

Houston

Fort Bend ISD

Houston ISD

Katy ISD

Pearland ISD

Pinecone Therapies is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

There is no charge for cancellations received 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. Failure to cancel less than 24 hours prior to the session will result in a $25.00 cancellation/no show fee.

Yes! Pinecone Therapies accepts:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Evernorth (formally Cigna)
• Magellan Healthcare
• Tricare
• United Healthcare / Optum
• Private Pay is available

It is the patient’s responsibility to call and confirm treatment benefits for both ABA services, speech-language pathology services with their insurance carrier, and to obtain any necessary pre-authorizations or referrals. In the event that an insurance company is billed and payment is denied, the patient will be responsible for the cost of services.

Yes! Please see:

• Autism Rescue Angels – Financial support for families living with autism www.autismrescueangels.org/
• F.A.C.E.S. – Foundation for Autism Care, Education and Services www.facesautism.org
• KNOWAutism– Support for families living with autism and other disabilities www.know-autism.org
• T.A.C.A. – Talk About Curing Autism – Grant Opportunity www.tacanow.org/family-resources/sos-we-need-help/
• United Healthcare Children’s Foundation – Grant Opportunity www.uhccf.org/uhccf/media/Docs/UHCCF-brochure.pdf
• The Huckleberry Foundation www.thepeopleprojecttx.org/huck-helps

Yes, payment is expected at the time of service except by prearranged agreement where Pinecone Therapies is in network for your insurance company or has a contract with DARS and benefits have been verified. In that case, the co-pay will be collected at the time of service. In the event that an insurance company is billed and payment is denied, the patient will be responsible for the cost of services.

Speech-language therapy sessions are 30 minutes in duration and are recommended two to four times per week. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disorder, the age of the client, and associated physical, emotional, and social factors.

Research supports reasonable progress and growth from some forms of autism when treatment is received 20 to 40 hours per week for 2 to 3 years. It is recognized that some families may be unable to purchase such an extensive financial commitment; therefore, each family’s time and financial constraints will be considered when developing the treatment package.

Recognition and diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder is happening at earlier and earlier ages. Once frequently not recognized until past age three, many doctors, psychologists, and therapists have now established caution signs as early as middle infancy. Some children express difficulties as early as birth and others have few obvious signs until 24 months or later. Regardless, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might:

Not respond to their name by 12 months

Not point to objects to show interest by 14 months

Not play pretend games by 18 months

Avoid eye contact

Want to be alone

Have difficulty understanding the feelings of others or expressing their own feelings

Have delayed or disordered speech and language skills

Repeat words and phrases over and over (echolalia)

Get upset with minor changes

Have obsessive interests

Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin themselves or objects

Over- or under-respond to the sensations of smell, sight, touch, sound

We can help you find a referring physicians in the area!