214-738-4578
Better Together Speech & Feeding Therapy, PLLC is a pediatric speech therapy practice that proudly serves the geographic areas of Rowlett, Rockwall, Fate and Garland in north Texas. We are a mobile practice which means we see your child in your home, your child's daycare, or a natural setting such as the park. We specialize in infant and pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders and early language, primarily focused on the birth to five population. We are so glad you're here!
Our Services
Speech & Language Evaluations
Our pediatric speech and language evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to identify areas of potential weakness as well as strengths. Depending on areas of concern, different formal and informal measures will be used to determine the presence or absence of a delay/disorder in communication. Areas of concern may be:
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Receptive language
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Expressive language
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Social/pragmatic language
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Articulation
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Fluency
We'll provide a detailed analysis of your child's strengths and identified areas of need, tailored recommendations, and a personalized therapy plan to help your child thrive in their communication journey. Whether your child is an analytic language processor or a gestalt language processor, we can help!
Meet Paula
Hi, I’m Paula Halbach, a passionate pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) and certified lactation counselor (CLC) who loves to help children learn to eat and communicate more easily. I'm ASHA-certified and licensed to practice in Texas. With over 25 years of experience as an SLP, my focus has been on pediatrics in home health and the schools. My area of specialty is helping medically-complex infants and children, and I have worked with many children with feeding tubes and tracheostomies, as well as NICU graduates. I also love treating early language delays/disorders, and my favorite place to be for therapy is playing on the floor or outside.
My philosophy
As a therapist, the way I serve my clients and their families is informed by my education, professional experience and personal life journey. Having walked through trials with clients and their families as well as my own life experiences, I believe deeply that we function better when we are connected to other people. We are made for community and one way we show love and serve others is to share in joys and trials. Many children with communication and feeding difficulties have a long journey, and that is acutely felt by their caregivers. My goal is to develop a connection with your child and your family so that together we can help your child thrive. I do this through child-led, play-based techniques and responsive feeding therapy. Compassionate, expert care is my goal. Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and best teachers. You know your child better than anyone. My role is to bring my professional experience and education and pair it with your knowledge of your child. I truly believe that we are Better Together and can tackle challenges more effectively as a team. When you choose Better Together Speech and Feeding Therapy, you will not walk the road alone. We will figure it out together!
When I'm not doing therapy: I love spending time with my husband and 2 sons, hanging out by the lake, eating delicious food and am an unashamed Coldplay fan.
Testimonials
Jamie, mother of twins
"As soon as my son came home from the NICU at 3 months old, he started projectile vomiting each feeding. Soon after, he began refusing to eat and needed a g-tube. He had poor weight gain and food aversion due to continued vomiting. Numerous SLPs and OTs worked with him on feeding. Once we found Paula Halbach, it was a life-changing experience. She was patient, nurturing, and she made the therapy sessions fun. She always had new tricks up her sleeve, and she provided us with helpful resources. Most importantly, he felt safe and started taking baby steps with food and eating. She listened to our frustrations and held our hands. We always knew we could count on her and she was in it with us. To this day, we credit Paula with our success story. Our son loves food and looks forward to each and every meal. We are very fortunate to have found her and will never forget what she did for our family. "
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I'm worried about my child's eating (or communication) skills. The doctor said to "wait and see". How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?Many parents have a gut feeling that their child’s development is lagging. Some well-meaning professionals and/or family members may encourage you to “wait and see.” Research tells us that the sooner a child receives intervention, the better the outcomes. It never hurts to get an evaluation to determine if your child is on track or needs support to develop communication or eating skills. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to determine if an evaluation is needed.
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What is feeding therapy? Why might my child need that?Feeding and swallowing therapy involves specialized support provided by trained speech or occupational therapists to assist children in developing easier and more enjoyable eating habits. Disorders in feeding and swallowing arise when there's a disruption in a child’s typical progression of skills like sucking, chewing, manipulating food in the mouth, and swallowing food or liquid. This can manifest as "picky eating" in toddlers and older children. Indications for assessment include frequent coughing or choking during meals, difficulties with breastfeeding or bottle feeding, frequent gagging, weight loss or inadequate weight gain, struggles transitioning from purées to solids, and reluctance to accept new textures or flavors. Feel free to reach out to us for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to determine whether a feeding evaluation is necessary.
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Do you take insurance?Yes. We are currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and accept most of their plans. With your permission, we can check your benefits to see if speech therapy is covered, what the requirements are and get an estimate of your financial responsibility. For individuals seeking to utilize insurance benefits from out-of-network plans, we will furnish a superbill for you to submit for potential reimbursement. A superbill is not a guarantee of reimbursement. Please check with your insurance provider regarding out-of-network speech therapy benefits.
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Do you accept self-pay? What forms of payment do you accept?Yes! We accept self-pay clients. We currently accept debit, credit and HSA cards. We use Ivy Pay and Stripe for payment processing. For all active clients, a debit/credit card is required to be on file.