What is the difference between school-based speech therapy and private practice speech therapy at True Potential Education Dyslexia & Speech Therapy?

Both are excellent options! Both school-based and private practice speech therapy offer valuable services, but they cater to different needs and contexts. Some children may benefit from both services. Parents should consider their child's specific situation and goals when making therapy choices.

School-Based Speech Therapy

  • Requires the speech-language concern to demonstrate significant educational impact, often requiring a child to be at least 2 years behind peers before services are offered.

  • Typically provided in the least restrictive environment; may involve group settings and service by other professionals rather than individual sessions with the speech therapist due to high caseloads.

  • Primarily targets listening, speaking, and speech production, with limited time for deeper language skills related to reading and writing.

  • Significant paperwork and documentation required, with SLPs often pulled from therapy to attend IEP meetings. Direct Therapy minutes are not always required to be made up when therapists are pulled for meetings and other duties by administration.

  • Limited direct consultation with parents; typically written reports sent quarterly.

  • Services are provided at no cost to families.

Private Practice Speech Therapy at True Potential Education Dyslexia & Speech Therapy

  • Utilizes a less restrictive medical model for service qualification; eligibility criteria often depends on insurance requirements (e.g., 12 months behind).

  • Sessions are 1:1, tailored to the individual child’s needs, promoting more rapid progress. Each session builds on prior sessions to address specific individualized language and communication goals at the individual’s pace.

  • Allows for a comprehensive approach with focus on all areas of communication:  speech, fluency, voice, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

  • Significantly less paperwork burden, allowing more 1:1 direct therapy time.

  • Direct consultations with parents are available at each session for ongoing progress updates and collaboration.

  • Services may be covered by insurance, depending on the plan, but may involve out-of-pocket deductible, co-pay or co-insurance expenses. *These are not uniform and are based upon each individual insurance plan.