Moxie Speech Therapy | September 14, 2025
Wondering about the difference between school and private speech therapy? Learn how services work in Colorado public schools, how private speech therapy can add support, and why many families choose both.
Note: Every school, district, and state has its own criteria for services, and the same is true for private practices. This post is meant to give a general overview, not to replace or contradict the information you receive from your child’s school or a private clinic. Be sure to check directly with your child’s school team or a private speech therapist to learn what services and resources are available for your family.
Ahhh, September. Back-to-school season is here—new schedules, sports, after-school activities, and the growing list of “to-dos.” For many families, it’s also when questions around school services start to pop up. Maybe your child is starting preschool or kindergarten, or perhaps your older child is beginning to show signs they could benefit from extra support. Either way, figuring out where to turn can feel overwhelming.
One of the most common questions I hear from families is:
“What’s the difference between school-based speech therapy and private speech therapy?”
Let’s break it down.
In Colorado public schools (and in most states), children first go through an evaluation to see if they qualify for services. This evaluation might include a speech therapist along with other professionals like an occupational therapist or school psychologist.
If your child qualifies, the school team (which includes you!) creates an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The IEP outlines goals and how often your child will see a speech therapist. Services might be once a week, a couple of times a month, or something in between. Sessions often happen in small groups (pull-out from class) or within the classroom (push-in), depending on what’s best for the child.
The focus in schools is on how communication impacts your child’s access to and success in the classroom.
Private speech therapy looks a little different. Your child will have an evaluation—sometimes at a clinic, hospital, or even at home. The speech therapist creates a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. Sessions are usually one-on-one, last 30–60 minutes, and often involve lots of parent communication so strategies can carry over into home and community life.
The focus in private therapy is usually on building communication skills more broadly, not just those tied to school performance.
Yes! Many families choose both. Public school-based services are often at no-cost if your child qualifies, while private services are either paid out-of-pocket or billed to insurance.
School-based speech therapy offers peer learning and collaboration with teachers.
Private speech therapy provides individualized attention and more time for family coaching.
Together, they can complement each other really well.
It can feel confusing when a child has a communication delay but doesn’t qualify for school services. Schools have their own criteria, and a child’s challenges must impact learning to be eligible. This means a child may have a mild delay, do well in class, or have certain goals delayed until later to focus on classroom-specific needs. In short, schools aim to support access to education, while private therapy often takes a broader approach to supporting communication.
In that case, private therapy is still an option. This is especially important for children transitioning out of Early Intervention at age 3. At that point, schools will re-evaluate and some children may no longer be eligible—but that doesn’t mean services have to stop.
At Moxie Speech Therapy here in Denver, I provide private speech services both in-person and online. With my background in both schools, and early intervention, I love helping families bridge the gap between home, school, and therapy. Sessions include direct support for kids, parent-coaching, and guidance for navigating the school system.
If you’d like to learn more, reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d love to support your child’s communication journey!
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