What are the differences between school-based therapy and private therapy?

Have you ever had a school therapist ask you why you still have your child participating in private therapy when they have therapy at school?

This is a very common question that I have had parents seek my thoughts on. Some parents have even been told that their child doesn’t need private therapy. As I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt that they mean well in their comment. I’m also going to say that they do not have any jurisdiction at all to validate whether a child needs private therapy or not. When I say therapy, I am referring to speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Here’s why it’s important to understand the differences between private and school-offered therapy: School therapy is focused on helping that child within the school setting. They work more directly with the child and their teacher, and how they function within the classroom. One-on-one therapy is not guaranteed in the school system due to large caseloads and staff shortages. You do not typically hear from the school therapist except for progress report time when they have to address direct IEP goals unless there’s an issue or you request information. Private therapy is focused more on helping that child in all settings, everywhere. We focus on family, home, and community. We work directly with the family and have communication weekly. Private therapy is the only place where one on one therapy is guaranteed. If the child is able to qualify for both private and school therapies, they will likely have different goals.

Let’s say you find yourself in this situation where your child has private therapy, which is going well. Say your child also qualifies for school therapy. If the child still requires private therapy and you wish to continue with private therapy, this is completely your choice as the parent on how you want to proceed. If the school therapist suggests otherwise, please kindly tell them, “Thanks for your feedback, but we will also continue with our private therapy along with school therapy as you all have different goals”. 

One last thing I’d like you to know is that they cannot deny you school therapy because they have private. Again, it’s separate and the goals are different. If they have data that suggests the child qualifies for school-based therapy, then they need to provide that therapy regardless. 

Please feel free to respond back to this email if you have anything you’d like to share, questions, or feedback as to how I’m doing with these emails!

We’re in this together!

Pam