A New School Year, New Questions: School vs. Private Therapy

New year, new goals — and plenty of high fives along the way.

The first few weeks of school are always a mix of excitement and adjustment. New teachers, new routines, and new expectations. For many families, it’s also the time when teachers start sharing little observations: “She’s having trouble with her writing.” “He’s not always understood by his classmates.”

As a parent, you might start to wonder: Does my child need extra support? And if so — where do I even start?

When Support Comes from the School

Schools have incredible resources, and one of them is therapy services. If a child is having trouble that affects their ability to learn — like understanding classroom directions, writing clearly, or participating in group activities — the school may recommend an evaluation.

School-based therapy focuses on what your child needs to succeed in the classroom. That could mean practicing handwriting for assignments, working on speech sounds that affect reading, or building language skills for following lessons.

But here’s the important part: school services are tied to academics. If your child is getting by in school, even if you still see challenges at home, they may not qualify.

Where Private Practice Fits In

This is where private therapy shines. Private practice looks at the whole child, not just the classroom setting. Maybe your child’s speech is understood by teachers, but not by cousins at family gatherings. Or perhaps they can complete school tasks but melt down during daily routines at home.

Private therapy creates space for those goals too — things that matter for home life, friendships, sports, or just feeling confident in their own skin. It’s one-on-one, individualized, and moves at your child’s pace.

Sometimes, It’s Both

Some families find their child benefits from both. School therapy supports classroom success, while private practice fills in the gaps for home and community life. Together, they can create a powerful combination.

Starting the Year Strong

As you and your child settle into this school year, keep an eye on the little things. If you hear concerns from teachers — or you just feel in your gut that something isn’t quite right — know that you have options.

At The Speech Pathology Group & Rehab Services of CT, we’re here to partner with you. Whether your child qualifies for school services, private services, or both, we’ll walk alongside you to make sure your child gets the support they need — at school, at home, and everywhere in between.

✨ Learn more about our therapy services at www.spg-ct.com