School or Private Speech Therapy - What is the Difference? 

Speech therapy can be provided through both medical and school-based services, but the eligibility criteria and goals differ. Medical speech therapy is typically covered by insurance and focuses on treating speech, language, and swallowing disorders that impact daily life, regardless of academic performance. It addresses conditions like apraxia, dysphagia, and stuttering through individualized treatment. School-based speech therapy, on the other hand, is provided under IDEA and is focused on how communication difficulties affect a child's ability to learn and participate in school. Services are only provided if the impairment negatively impacts academic success. While both approaches are valuable, medical therapy offers broader treatment options, while school-based therapy is tied to educational necessity.