Your child has an IEP. They get pulled out for speech therapy at school once or twice a week. So why would you pay for more?
It is a fair question. And the answer is not that school therapy is bad. School-based speech therapy serves an important purpose. But it has real limits — and many families find that adding private therapy helps their child make faster, more lasting progress.
Here is how the two are different, and why many parents choose both.
What School Speech Therapy Actually Covers
School-based speech therapy is tied to your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program). That means the therapy is focused on one thing: helping your child access their education.
The school SLP works on the goals written in the IEP — usually related to how speech or language difficulties affect your child in the classroom. For example, being understood by the teacher, following directions, or participating in class discussions.
This is important work. But it does not always cover everything your child needs.
Where School Therapy Has Limits
School SLPs do great work — often with large caseloads and limited time. But here are some common challenges parents notice:
- Sessions are short and infrequent. Many kids get just 20–30 minutes, once or twice a week. Sometimes in a group with other students. That is not a lot of one-on-one time.
- Goals are education-focused only. If your child struggles with sounds that do not directly affect schoolwork, those may not be addressed in the IEP.
- You are not in the room. Most school sessions happen without parents present. That means you do not see what your child is working on or learn how to help at home.
- Progress can be slow. With limited session time and large caseloads, it can take a long time to see real change.
- Therapy stops in the summer. When school ends, so do the sessions — and kids can lose progress over the break.
What Private Speech Therapy Adds
Private speech therapy fills in the gaps. It does not replace what the school is doing — it adds to it. Here is what is different:
- More time, more focus. Sessions are one-on-one, 30–60 minutes, with your child’s full attention on their goals. No group setting, no distractions.
- Broader goals. A private SLP can work on anything affecting your child’s communication — not just what is in the IEP. That includes sounds they struggle with outside of school, confidence, social communication, and more.
- You are part of the process. In private sessions, especially with telehealth, you can sit nearby and watch. You learn what your child is working on and how to practice together between sessions.
- Same therapist every time. Your child builds a relationship with one clinician who knows their strengths, their personality, and exactly where they are in their progress.
- Year-round therapy. Private therapy does not stop when school stops. Your child keeps making progress through summer, holidays, and breaks.
Can You Really Do Both?
Yes. There is no rule that says your child can only get therapy in one place. Many families combine school-based and private speech therapy, and it works well.
Your school SLP and private SLP can even coordinate if you want them to. They can share goals, track progress together, and make sure they are not duplicating work. Most SLPs are happy to collaborate — the goal is the same: helping your child.
When Does It Make Sense to Add Private Therapy?
Not every child needs both. But here are signs that private therapy might help:
- Your child has been in school therapy for a while but progress feels slow
- They only get speech once a week (or in a group) and you feel it is not enough
- There are speech concerns that the IEP does not cover
- You want to be more involved in your child’s therapy
- Summer is coming and you do not want them to lose what they gained
- Your child is frustrated or losing confidence because of their speech
What About the Cost?
School therapy is free through the IEP. Private therapy is an additional cost — but many families find it worth the investment. We provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement, and we accept Medicare.
Think of it this way: your child’s IEP gives them a baseline of support. Private therapy is the boost that helps them get ahead.
How Online Therapy Makes It Easier
One reason families hesitate to add private therapy is logistics. Another appointment, another drive, another thing to fit into an already packed schedule.
That is where online speech therapy changes things. Your child does their session from home, right after school or in the evening. No driving. No waiting rooms. You can sit nearby and watch. It fits into your life instead of competing with it.
Not Sure If Your Child Needs More Support?
We offer a free speech screening. In 15 minutes, we can listen to your child, talk about what you are seeing, and give you an honest answer about whether private therapy would help — or whether school services are enough.
No pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation about your child.
Call (917) 426-7007 or fill out the form below.