How do I get speech therapy for my child at school?

Speech-language therapy is considered a special education service. The same referral process and guidelines apply as if there were a concern with a possible Learning Disability or other diagnosis. Your child would need to go through the intervention process (facilitated by your school SLP) to determine whether a special education referral and evaluation is warranted. In order to qualify for speech-language services in the schools, your child must meet NC state eligibility criteria. For more information, contact your school SLP.

How is school-based therapy different from private therapy?

Private practices follow a medical model of service. School-based SLPs are bound by eligibility requirements of the state. Namely, we take into account the full picture of your child's functioning throughout the school day. There must be an academic or functional impact on his or her education in order to quality, as well as documentation of lack of expected response to interventions. A child may have a mild speech-language impairment which does not affect him or her in school. While private practitioners are able to treat mild disorders, often times school-based therapists are not. School-based therapy addresses goals described in a child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP).