Speech Therapy At School Vs. At Home: What’s The Difference?

If your child has been recommended for speech therapy, you might be deciding between services provided through the school system and private therapy at home. Both options can be helpful—but they offer very different experiences. And here’s something many families don’t realize: your child can receive both. In-school and in-home services can absolutely happen at the same time—one does not cancel out the other. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each to help you decide what level of support feels right.

School-Based Speech Therapy

Pros:

• It’s Convenient: Therapy happens during the school day, so you don’t have to drive anywhere, take time off work, or schedule around it.

• It’s Free: School-based services come at no cost to the family, which makes it accessible to many.

Cons:

• You’re Often Out of the Loop: Parents typically don’t attend sessions or receive regular updates, which can leave you feeling disconnected and unsure of what’s actually happening in therapy—or how to support it at home.

• Group Sessions Are the Norm: In most school settings, your child will be seen in a group of 4–7 students. And those students often have very different goals—so the therapist is constantly juggling, switching between children, and trying to make the limited time meaningful for each one.

• Heavy Caseloads = Limited Time: School therapists are responsible for large caseloads and a lot of paperwork. This can make sessions shorter and less individualized, even when your therapist is doing their absolute best.

Clinic Based Speech Therapy

Pros:

• Insurance May Cover Some or All of the Cost
  Clinic-based speech therapy is often at least partially covered by insurance, which can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families.

• One-on-One Therapy
  Most clinic-based speech therapy sessions are individual, allowing the therapist to focus on your child's specific goals during their scheduled time.

Cons:

• Parents Are Typically Not Involved
  In most Pensacola clinics (and many others), parents drop off their child at the door and are not present for sessions. Follow-up is often minimal, which can make it harder to support progress at home.

• Limited Therapy Options Based on Insurance Models
  Many clinics are only set up to provide certain types of therapy that align with what insurance plans are most likely to cover. That means therapies like feeding or myofunctional work may not be available—even when families have private coverage or a clear need for those services.

• Long Waitlists for Services
  Many outpatient clinics have waitlists several months long, meaning families may face significant delays before therapy can even begin.

• Inflexible Scheduling and Extra Travel Time
  Appointments may be limited to certain days or times, and families must travel to the clinic for each session, adding extra time to the commitment.

Private In-Home Speech Therapy

Pros:

• Deeply Individualized, One-on-One Therapy
  Your child receives therapy that’s fully customized to their unique needs and learning style, with flexible, responsive support throughout each session.

• Happens in Your Child’s Comfort Zone: Being in a familiar home environment helps many kids feel more relaxed and engaged, which often leads to quicker progress.

• You’re Part of the Process: Since therapy happens in your home, you’re welcome to observe, ask questions, and learn strategies to support your child between sessions. This often leads to stronger outcomes and a shorter time in therapy.

• Fewer Distractions and More Progress: With no school paperwork, testing schedules, or IEP meetings to navigate, your therapist can focus fully on your child’s therapy.

• No Insurance Restrictions
  Services are tailored directly to your child's needs without being delayed, limited, or dictated by insurance company rules.

Cons:

• It’s a Financial Investment: Private therapy does have a cost, though many families feel the personalized care and faster progress are well worth it.

• It Requires Some Scheduling: You’ll need to be available during sessions and coordinate a time that works for your family’s routine.

So Which One Is Right For You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. School-based services can be a good starting point, especially if your child just needs a little support and you’re looking for something convenient and cost-effective. But if you want more direct involvement, a tailored approach, and therapy that moves at your child’s pace, private in-home therapy may be the better fit.

And remember: you don’t have to choose just one. Many children benefit from a combined approach, where school-based services address academic goals and private sessions focus more deeply on specific speech, language, or feeding concerns. The two can work beautifully together to create the best outcome for your child.

Still unsure? We’re happy to talk through your child’s needs and explore what support might help them thrive—at school, at home, and beyond.