School vs Clinic vs Private
Explore some differences & similarities between private speech therapy services and school-based speech therapy services:
PAYMENT
Private Practices
Cost of sessions is covered by client/ guardians and/or insurance.
Clinics
Cost of sessions is covered by client/ guardians and/or insurance.
Schools
Free to participating students/ parents. Funded with federal money through special education.
ELIGIBILITY
Private Pay
If there is something the client/guardian wants to work on, they work on it!
Insurance
Each company & policy has its own eligibility criteria; this is often driven by a medical-model (requiring a diagnosis).
Schools
To receive services, students must demonstrate (1) presence of a disability*, AND (2) evidence that the disability negatively affects educational performance**, AND (3) evidence that the student requires specialized instruction to make progress and participate.***
*Students must meet the specific criteria of one of 13 Disability Categories defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (e.g. speech & language impairment, specific learning disability, Autism, Hearing Impairment, etc.).
**Educational performance includes progress in academic work as well as functional performance and participation in interpersonal activities or extracurricular and non-academic activities.
***For example, a student may have a visual deficit (meeting criteria #1), but they have glasses that address the condition so educational performance is not negatively affected (criteria #2) and specialized instruction is not required (criteria #3). This student would not require, be eligible for, or receive special education services.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Private Practices
Licensed & Certified Speech Language Pathologist (aka SLP, aka Speech Therapist) chosen by the payee.
Clinics
Licensed & Certified Speech Language Pathologist (aka SLP, aka Speech Therapist) available at the clinic.
Schools
Licensed & Certified Speech Language Pathologist (aka SLP, aka Speech Therapist) and/or Speech Language Technician/Speech Para who is overseen by an SLP.
GROUP SIZES
Private Practices
Usually individual sessions unless groups are specifically arranged.
Clinics
Usually individual sessions unless groups are specifically arranged.
Schools
Sessions might be one-on-one or in a group, depending on the needs of the student.
Note: Sometimes group therapy gets a bad rap. Although it isn't best for all student needs, groups run well actually provide excellent opportunities for peer modeling and interactions which can speed progress and/or increase engagement :)
DISCHARGE
Private Pay
The number of sessions is determined by an arrangement with the speech therapist and the payee and can be modified when agreed by both parties.
Clinics
Each company and policy dictates how many sessions are allowed in a specified period of time (ex: X# of sessions per year).
Schools
Initial eligibility does not necessarily mean a student will receive special education services indefinitely. At least every three years), data will be reviewed and the student will be re-evaluated as needed, to determine if services are still warranted. Dismissal from services is a team decision. The ultimate goal is maximized communication for maximized participation (not necessarily “perfect” communication). Potential reasons for discharge include:
Goals have been met: the disorder has been remediated or compensatory strategies have been established.
A speech-language impairment continues to exist but is not longer impacting educational performance.
The student/parents decide to not participate in treatment (called a Revocation of Services).
The student demonstrates behavior that interferes with improvement or participation in therapy (provided efforts to address the behavior have been unsuccessful).
The student is unable to tolerate treatment because of a serious medical, psychological, or other condition.
Speech/language services are no longer needed. Examples:
Deficits can be managed through classroom accommodations/modifications
Services no longer result in measurable benefit after multiple modifications have been attempted
Extenuating medical/dental limitations limit the student’s potential to achieve goals; therapy may not remediate the disorder/impairment
Functional communication has been achieved
Student’s deficits are being managed by another service provider (e.g. a job coach) and SLP services are not needed as a related service.
Talk to your team or provider for individualization/clarification about this information. We are here to help!