School therapy or Private therapy, which is right for my child?
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When it comes to speech therapy, there are two main options for families: school-based speech therapy or private practice speech therapy. Both have their own set of pros and cons, and it is important for families to consider these factors when making a decision about which type of therapy is best for their child.
School-based speech therapy is provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work in the public school system. The main advantage of this type of therapy is that it is typically free of charge for families. Another advantage is that school-based speech therapy is often integrated into the child's regular school day, which can make it more convenient for families and can also provide opportunities for the child to practice their language skills in a naturalistic setting.
On the other hand, one of the main disadvantages of school-based speech therapy is that it is usually only provided in a group setting. This means that children may not receive the same level of individualized attention as they would in a private practice setting. Additionally, school-based SLPs may have a large caseload and other administrative duties such as state required paperwork and internal meetings, which can make it difficult for them to provide regular therapy sessions or to focus on the child's individual needs. When a child’s therapy session is missed, the time is not made up as the therapist does not have enough time in their day. School-based speech therapy is usually only provided during the school year, which means that children may not receive therapy during summer or holiday breaks, which can cause the child to lose a lot of progress.
Additionally, school speech therapists have to abide by certain administrative and state rules. If a child’s speech, does not hinder their academics in any way (by impacting grades or social interactions) the child will not qualify for school services. In accordance with certain rules and laws, children in the school setting are often pulled from content classes such as math because state laws dictate you cannot pull a child from lunch or recess. Individual schools may also have additional rules which limit when therapists can and cannot pull children from classes to receive services.
If you are a homeschooling family looking to receive services through your local school district, this opportunity will vary by individual district. Larger school districts and districts that have high speech-therapy caseloads might turn homeschoolers away because the therapists within the district are already struggling to provide services to the students on their caseload who attend the school. Other school districts in smaller locations might allow homeschool families to receive speech services through the school. Homeschooling families are not guaranteed to be ale to receive speech therapy through a school system.
On the other hand, private practice speech therapy is provided by SLPs who work in private clinics or in their own practice. The main advantage of this type of therapy is that it is typically provided in an individualized setting. This means that children receive one-on-one attention from the therapist, and the therapy sessions can be tailored to the child's specific needs. Private practice speech therapists have more flexibility in scheduling therapy sessions, which can be beneficial for families who have busy schedules or who want to ensure that their child receives therapy year-round.
Private practice speech therapists may have a smaller caseload allowing them to provide more focused and consistent therapy sessions, and allows them to provide more specialized services such as working with bilingual children or children with specific speech disorders. Private practice speech therapists do not have to abide by the same rules and laws as school speech therapists. In private practice, if a child has any speech or language disorder that doesn’t qualify for school services, they can be seen by a private speech therapist.
However, one of the main disadvantages of private practice speech therapy is that it can be costly. Families will typically have to pay out of pocket for therapy sessions, and insurance may not cover the full cost. Private speech therapists that are private pay only can provide families with a superbill they can use to be reimbursed through their insurance company, however, this does not guarantee reimbursement. Please see my blog about superbills for more information. In private speech therapy the child may not have the opportunity to practice their language skills in a naturalistic setting, as the sessions are mostly conducted in a clinical or office setting.
There is also a third option, both school services and private services at the same time. When I worked in the school system, I recommended that if your child has a moderate to severe speech/language disorder that you also consult a private speech therapist to work with your child in conjunction with the school therapist. This way your child will be seen consistently, they get , even if the school speech therapist is unable to see your child consistently, but they still receive the benefits of extra practice within the schools.
Here at Imaginative SLP, we stock a wide variety of resources such as standardize speech and language assessments that can be found in schools. The live virtual services that are provided by Imaginative SLP occur in the child’s most natural setting, their own home.
If you are a homeschooling family who is unable to or is not interested in receiving services through your local school district, private practices such as Imaginative SLP are ready and willing to assist your child with gaining their speech and language skills.
In conclusion, both school-based speech therapy and private practice speech therapy have their own set of pros and cons. Families should consider factors such as cost, individualized attention, access to resources and technology, scheduling flexibility, and the opportunity to practice language skills in a naturalistic setting when making a decision about which type of therapy is best for their child. It is always important to consult with a speech-language pathologist to evaluate the best options for the child's needs.
