Our services.
In-clinic and online appointments.
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Come visit us at our Point Loma office for naturalistic speech therapy and occupational therapy! In addition to clinic appointments, North Star’s online services make it easy for your child to receive an evaluation and therapy on your schedule.
Each speech therapy or occupational therapy appointment includes individualized, evidence-based treatment, parent coaching, and a personalized home plan.
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Speech-language evaluations and therapy.
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Our strengths-based speech and language assessments identify areas of strength, emerging skills, and skills that have not yet emerged in the areas of speech (talking with the mouth), receptive language (understanding words), expressive language (using words), and social communication across all modalities. The goal of a speech and language evaluation is to better understand how therapy can improve the client’s ability to communicate in the ways that are important to them.
North Star specializes in speech-language pathology and parent coaching for: early intervention (babies and toddlers), children diagnosed with autism and early signs of autism, speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), child language disorders, minimally-verbal, nonverbal, or nonspeaking individuals, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or speech-generating device (SGD) users. We also support teens and adults who have difficulty communicating due to a developmental diagnosis or disability.
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Occupational therapy evaluations and treatment.
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North Star’s occupational therapists (OTs) identify areas of strength, emerging skills, and skills that have not yet emerged in the areas of sensory processing, motor coordination, self-care skills, and executive functioning. The goal of an occupational therapy evaluation is to better understand how therapy can improve a client’s ability to participate meaningfully in the daily tasks that are important to them.
Our occupational therapists specialize in: early intervention (babies and toddlers), children diagnosed with autism and early signs of autism, motor differences, community participation, self-care and daily living skills, and prevocational skills. We also support teens and adults who have difficulty participating in activities of daily living due to a developmental diagnosis or disability.
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Caregiver coaching and training
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Research evidence suggests that children whose caregivers receive parent coaching make faster progress that children whose parents don’t. Most speech therapy and occupational therapy includes parent education, where the therapist might speak with you for a few minutes at the end of the appointment and give you a handout with strategies to practice at home. Parent coaching is different. During parent coaching, you are included as an active participant throughout each speech or occupational therapy appointment. North Star’s parent coaching includes didactic instruction as part of a triad (you, the client, and the therapist), opportunities to practice with your child, self-reflection, and feedback. If your child already receives SLP or OT services with a different provider and/or you prefer to receive weekly therapy from an in-network provider, supplemental parent coaching, once or twice per month, can help you learn strategies to speed your child’s progress, reduce stress, and feel empowered in how to guide your child.
Contact us for more information.
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluations, programming, and training.
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North Star completes evaluations for speech generating devices (SGDs) for Tricare Prime and Tricare Select enrollees. We can also complete evaluations and make recommendations for individuals who wish to self-fund purchase of a speech generating device.
In addition, North Star is thrilled to partner with the California Department of Rehabilitation to offer access to the Voice Options Program through a grant from the CA Public Utilities Commission. Through Voice Options, any Californian who is nonspeaking, nonverbal, or has difficulty communication can receive a free augmentative-alternative communication device and up to three house of training or therapy. Read more about the Voice Options Program and how you can get a free iPad with an AAC app (such as TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, TD Snap, Proloquo2Go, Proloquo4Text) to use as an AAC device.
Our SLPs specialize in AAC assessments, programming, and training. We can support you in individualizing your AAC device to meet your needs, in addition to teaching device-users, parents, caregivers, and other providers how to use the device.
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
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We accept IEE requests on a case-by-case basis. We typically accept 3-4 IEEs per calendar year in the areas of: speech-language, augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) and/or assistive technology (AT), and occupational therapy. We specialize in IEEs for students who are minimally speaking who may or may not use AAC. We can also provide IEEs for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).
IEEs are typically paid for by the school district. Our services include negotiation with the district for appropriate reimbursement for the IEE, chart review, in-person assessment, school observation, teacher and staff interview, evaluation report writing, and attendance at the IEP meeting to share IEE results. Please contact us if you wish to discuss if North Star is the right provider to complete an IEE for your child.
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The cost per IEE is typically around $3000 for students residing in San Diego, which includes approximately 20 hours of therapist time at $150 per hour. We accept IEEs outside of San Diego on a case-by-case basis; IEEs that require travel may cost an additional $2000-6000 to account for travel time and expenses. Families can pay out-of-pocket for an IEE and request reimbursement from the school if desired.
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)
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North Star’s speech-language therapists have additional training in childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) under the mentorship of Dr. Katherine McKernan-McCracken. North Star’s CAS treatment includes research-based apraxia treatments, including Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST), Speech Motor Chaining (SMC), and ultrasound visual biofeedback (UVB).
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We accept Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, ChampVA, San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) payments, self-determination program (SDP) payments, health savings account (HSA) payments, flexible spending account (FSA) payments, and private pay. Our prompt pay rates are as follows:
25 minutes: $67.50 -$85
50 minutes: $135 -$150
Evaluation: $310 -$380Prices include prompt pay discount for HSA, FSA, and private pay when payment is made on the day-of the appointment.
Social recreation and non-medical therapies
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North Star offers a variety of social recreation groups and non-medical therapies designed to improve access to inclusive, neuroaffirming opportunities outside of a school and clinical setting. Our new social recreation groups and non-medical therapies are designed to meet the needs of our community.
These appointments cannot be funded through insurance since they are not therapeutic. Appointments can be funded as a social recreation activity through the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) or through private pay.
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Constellations is a community-based social recreation designed to increase access to typical peers in community settings. This 1:1 program, for individuals ages 3 and older, typically takes place at Maruta Gardner Park in Mission Beach. Alternative social locations, such as G3 Kids, Scripps Aquarium, and beach/bay locations can be considered if appropriate for the client. Pricing will be adjusting to include entry to community locations if needed.
Pricing: Constellations is $125/hour offered in 1-2 hour sessions at Maruta Gardner Park; entrance fees for other locations may be included in the fees, if appropriate
Dates: Ongoing based on your schedule
Contact us today to sign up!
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Creative Harmony Club is a social group driven by the connections formed during music and art activities. This neurodiversity-affirming social group allows children ages 3-8 to explore music and art in a supportive, sensory-friendly environment. Combining art and music in a group is a powerful way to support friendship-building, self-expression, and leisure skills, all while keeping things fun, creative, and flexible. The group will include themed sessions combining rhythmic play, singing, movement, and creative art-making. Children are encouraged to explore music, create art, express their emotions, interact with peers, and engage their senses. The group promotes self-expression, connection, and joy through the harmony of sound and color.
Pricing: $250/month
Dates: Beginning January 2026
Contact us today to join the interest list!
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The AAC Club is an opportunity for teens and young adults ages 16 and older who use augmentative-alternative communication (AAC) and/or speech-generating devices (SGDs) to get together and connect with those who communicate like them. Many AAC users have never met another AAC user, which can be isolating. The AAC Club brings together AAC-and SGD-users, allowing individuals who have difficulty speaking verbally to see themselves in others and build a network of friends. The AAC Club will have structured and unstructured activities, where participants can participate in age-appropriate activities, enjoy snacks, and build relationships with each other.
Pricing: $200/month
Dates: Beginning in January 2026
Contact us today to join the interest list!
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Adaptive Rock Climbing through North Star is a non-medical therapy that invites individuals ages 6+ to experience the excitement of indoor rock climbing in a supportive, inclusive environment. Hosted at Mesa Rim Climbing Center in Mission Valley, this program focuses on having fun, trying new things, and connecting with peers through a shared recreational activity. The program is 1:1 or 1:2, depending on the needs of the participants.
Pricing: $175 per 1 hour class
Dates: Beginning in January 2026
Contact us today to join the interest list!
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This child-led, neuroaffirming play group allows participants ages 3-6 to navigate sharing toys and space with peers. This inclusive play group includes children with or without disabilities. North Star’s staff will support social communication utilizing modeling, guided interactions, and augmentative-alternative communication (AAC).
Pricing: $200/month
Dates: Beginning January 2026
Contact us today to join the interest list!
