Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions parents ask most—so you can feel informed, supported, and confident in your next steps.
Newborns 0-1
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At health:latch, a Discovery Visit is much more than a typical exam — it’s the first step in truly understanding your child’s unique story.
We believe every child and every family has a story to tell. That’s why, before you even arrive, we carefully review your intake forms and encourage you to share as much detail as possible about your concerns, experiences, and intuition. The more we understand, the better we can support you.
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For infants, we always start with therapy first.
Your baby will see a highly trained functional occupational therapist who focuses on:
Feeding and positioning
Oral function and muscle coordination
Reflexes and early development
This stage is all about building a strong foundation.
You’ll receive hands-on guidance, practical techniques, and real-time support to help your baby thrive.If needed, a pediatric dentist may also be involved — but therapy leads the process.
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Absolutely.
Infants are always a priority because:
Feeding support cannot wait.
Our team works hard to ensure babies are seen efficiently and as soon as possible, without unnecessary delays.
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We don’t rush to intervene.
Instead, we:
Take time to fully understand your child
Use therapy as a guide for decision-making
Only recommend procedures when they truly add value
Our goal is to maximize outcomes — not just perform procedures.
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No — and we want to be very clear about that.
At health:latch, we take a transparent, function-first approach. While many families come to us concerned about things like tongue ties or oral restrictions, a procedure is not always necessary.
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We don’t make decisions based on what we see — we make decisions based on how your child is functioning.
During your Discovery Visit, we look at:
Feeding and oral function
Growth and development
Symptoms at home
Your child’s overall ability to thrive
Even if a visible restriction (like a tongue tie) is present, if your baby is feeding well, growing, and functioning properly, we may not recommend any procedure at all.
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We always prioritize functional therapy first.
Your child is assessed by a functional therapist who looks beyond structure and focuses on:
How your child uses their mouth
Muscle coordination and strength
Feeding patterns and reflexes
In many cases:
Some babies don’t need a procedure right now
Some babies don’t need one at all
Some simply need targeted therapy and support
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We’ve seen that when care starts with a procedure alone, outcomes can be limited.
But when therapy is layered:
Before a procedure
After a procedure
That’s when real transformation happens.
Families feel more supported, children improve more consistently, and results are more meaningful and lasting.
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You don’t have to — we encourage you to be present and engaged during your appointment.
If you’d like to remember specific techniques (especially for babies), we recommend:
Taking quick videos on your phone
Capturing hands-on guidance shown during therapy
This makes it easier to continue supporting your child at home.
Before your visit
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We guide families through three key steps:
Intuition – You sense something isn’t right
Awareness – You begin to understand why
Advocacy – You feel confident taking the next steps
Our role is to help you move from uncertainty to clear, empowered decision-making.
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We encourage you to:
Share your full story in your intake forms
Use voice-to-text if it’s easier — just speak freely
Trust your instincts as a parent
Your insights are incredibly valuable, and they help us provide the most meaningful care possible.
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Before your visit, you’ll receive our detailed Story Form through our secure system, Jane App.
This form allows you to:
Share your child’s full history and your concerns
Tell us what you’re noticing at home
Provide details that might otherwise get missed
We encourage you to be as detailed as possible — even the smallest insight can be incredibly important.
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We review your entire story before you arrive.
This means:
No time is wasted on paperwork during your visit
You’re not juggling forms while caring for your baby
We can ask thoughtful, personalized questions right away
Instead of starting from scratch, we begin your visit already understanding your baby — allowing for a much more efficient, educational, and meaningful experience.
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Getting started is simple — and designed to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
The easiest way to begin is to send us a text.
Our team is quick to respond, and your message comes directly to us. If it’s after hours, we’ll follow up first thing in the morning.
You can also email us, but texting is the fastest and most preferred way to connect.
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Once you text us, we’ll:
Connect with you directly
Send helpful information and educational videos tailored to your baby’s age
Walk you through what to expect from our process
When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll guide you to the next step.
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We’ve intentionally built our communication around texting because:
It’s faster and more convenient for families
It allows us to respond thoughtfully and efficiently
It helps us keep track of every detail you share
Every message you send becomes part of your baby’s story — and sometimes, the smallest detail can make the biggest difference.
From your very first text, our goal is to:
Gather meaningful information
Understand your baby’s full picture
Prepare thoroughly before you even walk through our doors
So when you arrive, the focus is exactly where it should be:
on your child, your concerns, and creating a clear plan forward.
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No — we are a fully out-of-network clinic, and this is a very intentional decision.
Our model of care is built around time, depth, and true collaboration — and that simply isn’t possible within a traditional insurance-based system.
At health:latch, we:
Spend significant time reviewing your baby’s story before you arrive
Provide in-depth, one-on-one Discovery Visits (often much longer than standard appointments)
Collaborate in real-time with other providers when needed
Offer continued support through follow-ups and communication after your visit
This level of care often goes far beyond what insurance models allow, where visits can be limited to just a few minutes.
We’ve chosen not to compromise the quality of care your family receives.
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Because we are out-of-network:
Payment is made directly to our office at the time of service
We provide you with a medical superbill after your visit
You can submit this to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement
Many families do receive partial reimbursement, but it depends entirely on your individual insurance plan.
While we hope you receive reimbursement:
We cannot guarantee coverage or payment from your insurance provider.
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Whether you come to health:latch or not, we encourage every family to:
Seek a therapy-first approach.
Because in our experience:
Therapy is where the real progress happens
Therapy is where children truly grow and improve
Therapy is where the “magic” happens
After your visit or you still have questions?
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After your Discovery Visit, we create a personalized plan based on your baby’s specific needs, symptoms, and development.
Our goal is to give you clarity, direction, and ongoing support — not just a one-time visit.
Your plan may include:
Therapy recommendations (always a core focus)
Oral motor support or feeding guidance (especially for babies)
Bodywork or developmental support if needed
Follow-up timelines and check-ins
Product recommendations, if applicable
Every plan is tailored — no two babies are the same.
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Your full evaluation and recommendations will be sent to you through Jane App.
You’ll be able to:
Review detailed notes from your visit
See your baby’s customized plan
Access any recommended resources or products
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Yes.
We send detailed reports to your baby’s care team when appropriate, helping:
Align everyone involved in your baby’s care
Create a more cohesive, collaborative approach
Provide clarity on next steps and recommendations
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Absolutely — this is one of the most valuable parts of our process.
Many families leave with a clear developmental roadmap, which may include:
When to check in next
What milestones to monitor
When to involve other providers
Some parents even keep this plan on their fridge or phone as a guide.
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Yes.
Our admin team will:
Review your plan behind the scenes
Reach out via text if anything needs to be scheduled or coordinated
Support you every step of the way
We simply ask that you respond to messages, as this helps us keep your baby’s care moving forward smoothly.
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That’s completely normal — and you’re not alone.
Many families come to health:latch after receiving mixed messages or conflicting advice from different providers. It can feel confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming.
Our goal is to give you something different:
Clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
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That’s okay.
If you leave your visit with:
Greater understanding
Clear answers
Confidence in your instincts
…that is a win.
We respect your decisions and will never pressure you into treatment.
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We’ll tell you — honestly.
If your baby would benefit more from another provider, we will:
Guide you in the right direction
Connect you with trusted professionals
Ensure you still leave with a clear plan