Advocating for Speech Services in Schools: What Parents Should Know
When a child qualifies for speech and language services in school, many parents wonder: “Is this enough?” or “Shouldn’t my child be getting more speech therapy?” These are valid questions — and as both a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a private practice SLP, I want to share some important insights to help families advocate appropriately.
School Speech Services: What They’re Designed For
In New Jersey (and across the U.S.), school-based speech therapy is provided when a child’s speech or language challenges impact their educational performance. That means the services must be:
Educationally relevant (tied to classroom access and learning)
Focused on functional progress in the school setting
Aligned with the IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals
For example, a child may receive therapy for:
Difficulty following multi-step directions in class
Trouble organizing language to write or answer questions
Speech sound errors that affect intelligibility during classroom presentations
Why “More Speech” Isn’t Always Better
It’s natural to think that more therapy equals faster progress. But in school, therapy dosage (how often and how long sessions are) is carefully considered for a reason:
Children need time to practice and generalize skills in the classroom, not just in therapy.
Pulling a child too often can cause them to miss valuable instruction.
Research shows that quality and relevance of therapy often matter more than sheer frequency.
That said, there are times when a child truly does need more frequent or intensive services, and that’s where thoughtful advocacy comes in.
How to Advocate for Appropriate Services
If you feel your child’s speech needs aren’t being fully met at school, here are steps to take:
Review the IEP Goals
Make sure goals are measurable, specific, and truly reflect your child’s needs in the classroom.Ask About Progress
Request data from your child’s SLP. How is your child performing toward their goals? Are they making expected progress?Request a Team Meeting
If you have concerns, ask for an IEP meeting to discuss services. Come prepared with observations from home and input from teachers.Focus on Educational Impact
Frame requests around how your child’s difficulties affect school success (e.g., “He can’t follow directions in math class,” not just “He doesn’t follow directions at home”).Consider Private Therapy for Additional Support
If your child needs more practice beyond what the school can provide, private therapy is a great way to bridge the gap. Private sessions can target areas that aren’t strictly educational but still impact everyday communication — like social skills, executive function, or feeding/myofunctional concerns.
A Balanced Perspective: School + Private Speech
As both a school SLP and private SLP, I believe the best outcomes often happen when families use both systems together:
School services ensure your child has what they need to succeed in the classroom.
Private services allow for extra practice, family involvement, and goals beyond academics.
Supporting Families in Monmouth & Ocean County, NJ
At NRC Therapy Services, we help families across Belmar, Wall, Manasquan, Spring Lake, Point Pleasant, Brick, Toms River, and surrounding towns understand their child’s IEP, advocate for appropriate school services, and provide private therapy when needed.
If you’re wondering whether your child needs more speech therapy — in school, privately, or both — contact NRC Therapy Services today. We’ll help you understand your options and build the right support plan for your child.