Starting your child’s care with Fusion Therapy Center
We accept most major insurance plans and handle verification before your child’s first visit. Pediatric OT, PT, and speech therapy — available now at multiple locations across Northwest Arkansas.
How to prepare your child for their appointment
A little preparation makes a big difference. Here’s what to bring and how to set your child up for a comfortable, productive first visit.
Most insurance plans require a physician referral for pediatric therapy. Ask your child’s pediatrician or specialist to write an order specifying the therapy discipline (OT, PT, or ST) and diagnosis.
We accept most major insurance plans. Provide your insurance information when requesting an appointment and our team will verify your child’s benefits before the first visit — no surprises at check-in.
Bring a valid photo ID (parent or guardian) and your insurance card to the first visit. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete any remaining intake paperwork. Legal guardians must be present for the initial evaluation.
If your child has prior therapy records, IEP or 504 documentation, developmental evaluations, or school progress reports, please bring them or have them sent ahead. This context helps your therapist plan the most effective evaluation.
Feel free to bring a favorite toy, stuffed animal, or comfort item your child enjoys. Familiar objects can ease first-visit anxiety and even serve as motivational tools during the evaluation — our therapists welcome them.
Dress your child in comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing. Avoid overalls, dresses, or anything difficult to remove quickly. Closed-toe shoes with socks are ideal for most sessions. Leave bulky outerwear in the waiting room.
Your child’s first visit, simplified
Appointment
your nearest location
Verification
& co-pays for you
Paperwork
to you in advance
Evaluation
child’s plan of care
Plan
your child’s next session
Questions about getting started?
Everything parents of new pediatric therapy patients ask us — referrals, insurance, what to expect, how we work with kids, and more.
In most cases, yes. Most insurance plans require a physician referral for pediatric occupational, physical, or speech therapy. Your child’s pediatrician or specialist can write this order, specifying the therapy discipline and your child’s diagnosis or concern.
Certain plans and self-pay patients may not require a referral. Call our office and we’ll clarify exactly what applies before your first visit.
We accept most major commercial insurance plans, Arkansas Medicaid (including ARKids First), and CHIP — including BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and others. Self-pay and payment plan options are also available.
Our team verifies your child’s specific benefits and confirms co-pay amounts and visit limits before the first appointment so there are no surprises.
We typically schedule new pediatric evaluations within a few business days of receiving a referral. Once we have the referral and insurance information, our front office will contact you to confirm the appointment and send intake forms in advance.
Some insurance plans require prior authorization (PA) before approving ongoing therapy beyond the initial evaluation. Our team handles the PA process directly with your insurer — parents don’t need to manage it.
Your child can typically begin their first few treatment sessions while authorization is being processed, so delays are minimal.
Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule. This allows us to offer your child’s slot to another family in need. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee per our clinic policy.
The first session is a comprehensive evaluation, typically 60 minutes. Your licensed pediatric therapist will review your child’s developmental and medical history, observe them in age-appropriate activities, assess relevant skills — motor, sensory, communication, or swallowing — and work with you to establish treatment goals.
A parent or guardian is present throughout the evaluation and will be included in goal-setting from day one.
Follow-up treatment sessions are typically 45–60 minutes. Session length is tailored to your child’s age and attention span — younger children may have shorter, more focused sessions. Your therapist will give a specific recommendation after the initial evaluation.
Parental presence during sessions depends on your child’s age, comfort level, and therapy goals. Some children focus better with a parent present; others do better with a brief separation. Your therapist will work with your family to find the approach that helps your child thrive.
Regardless, we provide regular parent check-ins and home program guidance so you’re always an active part of your child’s progress.
This varies based on your child’s diagnosis, goals, and progress rate. After the evaluation your therapist will recommend a frequency and duration — for example, 2x/week for 8 weeks — but plans are reassessed regularly to reflect your child’s actual development, not a fixed schedule.
Your therapist documents progress at every session and provides regular written reports to your child’s referring physician. Parents receive ongoing updates during check-ins and home program handoffs. Plans of care are formally reassessed and updated to ensure your child’s therapy stays aligned with their evolving goals.
Explore our pediatric therapy disciplines
Each discipline is delivered by licensed clinicians specializing in pediatric care. Learn more about what each service involves and the conditions we treat.
Speech-language pathologists help children with articulation, language delays, social communication, fluency, AAC, and feeding & swallowing — supporting development from early childhood through school age.
PT addresses gross motor delays, balance, coordination, and strength — helping children reach developmental milestones, recover from injury, and participate fully in physical activities.
OT helps children develop the fine motor, sensory processing, and self-care skills needed for school, play, and daily routines — from handwriting to dressing to sensory regulation.
Helpful resources for families
Everything from understanding your child’s benefits to school collaboration resources and community support programs across Northwest Arkansas.
Learn about insurance coverage, self-pay options, payment plans, and community financial assistance programs for families.
Learn MoreGuides on developmental milestones, therapy approaches, and how to support your child’s goals at home and in school.
Browse ResourcesNWA-area parent support groups, adaptive recreation programs, early intervention services, and disability advocacy organizations.
ExploreTake the first step toward your child’s potential
Our pediatric therapy team is accepting new patients at multiple NWA locations. Request an appointment today and we’ll guide your family through every step.
