Is there a difference between School and Private Therapists?

The answer is "no" there is not a difference in the type of training or qualifications that a Speech Language Pathologist has to have to work in a private clinic or within the schools.  The answer is also "yes" there is a difference in when we can or cannot provide services.

So, what is it really then?

Within the education setting the Department of Education sets guidelines for criteria.  In order for your child to receive Special Education services in the area of Speech Pathology they need to meet the criteria for disability in one or more of the following areas: articulation, language, voice, and/or fluency.  The rules for a Speech/Language Impairment can be found here:  https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=3525.1343

Within the clinic setting the criteria is set by your individual insurance company.  Some insurances exclude things such as stuttering, others many exclude any habilitative services for children with developmental delays.  While yet other insurance companies will cover services up a set number of visits.  And yet others determine qualification for services based on the child's percentile rank within a given area. It is highly and solely dependent on your insurance and which policy you have from that insurance.

If your child qualifies for services from the school district all goals must be educationally appropriate.  This excludes: feeding therapies, alternative therapies such as The Listening Program and other such holistic approaches.  If a therapy method cannot be directly related to and/or pertinent to a child reaching educational expectations it cannot be used within therapy sessions in the school setting.

If your child qualified for services from a private clinic the therapist may or may not have more flexibility in the amount and/or type of therapies that can be provided.  Certainly a private therapist is able to address feeding difficulties, auditory processing difficulties, and all other speech and language delays.

Things to keep in mind as a parent:
1) If your child doesn't qualify for speech and language services in the school; they may qualify through a private clinic.
2) It is OK to have both a school Speech Pathologist and a private Speech Pathologist-Word to the wise: your child will receive the best care when you sign releases for the school and private therapist to collaborate.
3) You are your child's best advocate- Be open and honest about what your concerns for your child are.