School-Based Speech Therapy vs. Private Speech Therapy: What's the Difference?

Many parents wonder if their child might benefit from speech therapy. Sometimes, their child is already enrolled in speech through the school. Other times, they are told they don't qualify for school-based speech therapy. You may wonder: is there a difference between school-based speech therapy and private speech therapy? The answer is yes!

While both are provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), their purpose, goals, and approach can be different.

🏫 School-Based Speech Therapy

The main goal: Helping your child succeed at school.

School-based speech therapy focuses on communication skills that affect a child’s ability to learn, participate, and communicate in the educational setting.

For example, an SLP may help a child work on skills that will help them:

• Follow classroom directions

• Participate in class discussions

• Communicate with teachers and peers

• Develop language skills needed for learning

• Improve speech that affects classroom participation

School-based services are connected to the child’s educational needs and school eligibility requirements. In order for students to qualify, there must be a demonstrated impact on their academics. When a child does not qualify for speech therapy at school, it does not necessarily mean they would not benefit from services. This is where private speech therapy may help.

🏠 Private Speech Therapy

The main goal: Addressing your child’s individual communication needs.

Private speech therapy can focus on specific speech and language difficulties that affect your child at home, at school, and in everyday life.

Depending on the child’s needs, therapy may address:

• Speech sound difficulties (articulation)

• Language comprehension

• Vocabulary and sentence skills

• Fluency/stuttering

• Social communication

• Feeding and swallowing

• Functional communication

  
  

Private therapy is based on the child’s individual evaluation, needs, and treatment goals. Our assessments look at how the child scores on speech and language skills when compared to peers of the same age. Children who score below a certain benchmark for their age will typically qualify for therapy. SLPs may also look at the child's overall ability to communicate and how their difficulties impact their quality of life.

The Biggest Difference

Think of it this way:

School-based therapy asks:

👉 “How are their communication difficulties affecting their education?”

Private therapy asks:

👉 “What communication skills seem to be delayed that the child needs help with?”

Can My Child Have Both?

Absolutely! School-based and private speech therapy can work together. A child may receive school-based therapy to support communication in the classroom while also receiving

private therapy for additional or more individualized goals.

Neither is necessarily better than the other—they simply serve different purposes. The best option depends on your child’s needs and goals.

If you suspect that your child could benefit from speech therapy, reach out to us at Homegrown Kids Therapy! Call or text 515-216-0091 or fill out a Contact Form to get started. Most insurance plans do include speech therapy benefits, and we would be happy to help you understand your plan.