Q: How do I know if my child needs occupational therapy or feeding therapy?

A: If your child is struggling with everyday tasks — eating, playing, getting dressed, managing emotions, or keeping up developmentally — it may be worth an evaluation. You do not need a diagnosis to reach out. Trust your instincts. You know your child best, and we are happy to talk through what you are seeing.

Q: Do I need a referral from our pediatrician?

A: In most cases, no. You can request an appointment directly through our website. Some insurance plans do require a physician referral for coverage, and we will help you sort that out during intake.

Q: How long is your waitlist?

A: We typically have around 50 families waiting to begin services. We do not keep a chronological waitlist. Your wait time depends significantly on your availability and your child's needs. Our priority is to match you with the therapist who has the right skill set to meet your child's needs, who is first available in your preferred treatment location — in that order. The best thing you can do is get your request in and be as flexible as possible with scheduling.

Q: How long does the process take from my first inquiry to starting therapy?

A: Our office manager will reach out within 2 to 3 business days of your request. From there, scheduling depends on therapist availability and your flexibility. We will move as quickly as we can to get your family the support you need.

Q: What ages do you work with?

A: We work with children from birth through adolescence. Many of our families come to us in the newborn and infant stage, and we follow children through early childhood and school years.

Q: Do you accept insurance?

A: Yes. We are currently in-network with Medicaid and Kaiser. We are out of network with United, BCBS, Cigna, and Anthem. We are not pursuing new credentialing at this time. If you have one of these plans, we are happy to discuss your out-of-network benefits and self-pay options.

Q: How much do your services cost?

A: Because we accept insurance, we are legally required to charge the same rate to self-pay families as we do to insurance companies. Please contact us directly for a Good Faith Estimate based on your specific funding source. If you have a co-pay, co-insurance, or are self-pay, payment will be collected at the time of service — or an estimated payment, whichever is the smaller amount.

Q: What if I have a plan you do not accept?

A: We offer self-pay options for families whose insurance is not in network. We will always be transparent about costs upfront. Contact us and we will walk you through what to expect.

Q: Do you offer payment plans?

A: We understand therapy is an investment. Please reach out to our office manager to discuss what options may be available to your family.

Q: What happens during the first visit?

A: The first visit is a 75-minute evaluation. Your therapist will spend time observing your child, talking with you about your concerns and goals, and getting to know your family. It is collaborative, relaxed, and never a pass or fail situation. You will leave with strategies and next steps — we do not believe in making you wait for the help.

Q: Where do sessions take place?

A: Most sessions are held in your home, which we believe is the most therapeutic environment for children. We also offer telehealth for families who prefer virtual support or need flexible scheduling. We want care to happen in the context that is the best fit for you and your child.

Q: How long are sessions?

A: Sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes, with 75 minutes set aside for initial evaluations.

Q: How often will we have sessions?

A: Frequency is determined by your child's needs and goals. Many families start with one session per week and adjust based on progress and schedule.

Q: Will I be involved in the sessions?

A: Always. Parent and caregiver involvement is a core part of how we work. Your therapist will be coaching you throughout so you can support your child's progress every single day.

Q: My child is a picky eater. Is that a feeding therapy issue?

A: It depends on the degree and the impact on your child and your family. When food selectivity is affecting nutrition, mealtimes are distressing, or your child is not gaining weight appropriately, feeding therapy may help. We are happy to talk it through.

Q: My baby is struggling with breastfeeding. Can you help?

A: Yes. We work with infants and caregivers on breast and bottle feeding difficulties including latch challenges, nipple confusion, and oral motor issues that affect feeding. We also have Certified Lactation Counselors on staff to support you and your baby. Early intervention makes a meaningful difference.

Q: What feeding approach do you use?

A: We have team members trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding and draw on it as a clinical framework — but we are not an SOS clinic. We use it as guidance alongside our broader clinical training, not as a rigid script. Our goal is always functional progress — actually eating the foods, not just looking at them or smelling them. Every child's plan is built around what works for them.

Q: My child has a feeding tube. Do you work with tube-fed children?

A: Yes. We have significant experience supporting children and families through tube feeding and the journey toward oral eating. This includes supporting oral motor development, building tolerance for oral stimulation, reducing oral aversion, introducing tastes and textures at a pace that feels safe, and coordinating the gradual reduction of tube feeds alongside your medical team. Tube weaning is a process that requires careful clinical judgment and close collaboration — we take it seriously and we do not rush it.

Q: What is the Colorado Early Intervention Program?

A: The Colorado Early Intervention Program provides services for children from birth to age three who have developmental delays or conditions that may affect their development. Services are provided in the home or community and are often low or no cost to families depending on income.

Q: Does Nurtured Pediatrics provide Early Intervention services?

A: Yes. Our therapists are contracted providers with several Colorado Early Intervention programs including Bluesky Enterprises, Rocky Mountain Human Services, The Resource Exchange, Developmental Disability Resource Center, Developmental Pathways, and North Metro — with a specific focus on families in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado through our Fort Collins-based therapist. At this time we are only accepting consult cases through EI-supported IFSP services, which means up to five sessions. If your child needs more comprehensive or ongoing support, we encourage you to contact us directly. We can often provide more thorough, skilled, and timely care outside of the EI program structure, and we are happy to work collaboratively alongside any EI providers already on your child's plan.