Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists have diverse scopes of practice, varying based on the setting they work in. Each therapy is crucial in its own way, but therapists approach evaluations and treatments differently depending on the population and setting.
School-Based Therapists:
- Focus on improving students’ educational performance.
- Eligibility for services depends on the severity of the deficit and its impact on educational performance.
- Treatment aligns with curriculum guidelines and individualized education plan (IEP) goals.
- Caseloads are often large, limiting individual therapy time and increasing group therapy sessions.
- May not provide services during the summer months or over long school breaks, which may lead to regression of some skills.
Clinical and Medical Setting Therapists:
- Provide one-on-one treatment.
- Determine eligibility based on standardized assessments and evidence-based norms.
- Treat children with deficits ranging from mild to profound severity.
- Offer direct communication with parents, in-person training, and education.
- Encourage parent observation and involvement in sessions.
- Emphasize practicing and mastering skills in various settings like home and community.
- Encourage communication among therapists from different settings to better support the child’s overall development.
As you can see, there are several differences between therapy that is provided in medical and educational settings. Many children benefit from receiving services in both areas. Moreover, parents should keep in mind that the qualifying criteria in the school setting is much different than in a medical setting. If your child has been evaluated by his or her school and did not qualify for services, it may be worth seeing out a second opinion from a private therapist in an outpatient setting.
If you think your child could benefit from speech, occupational, or physical therapy, don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s pediatrician or reach out to our clinics. Remember, “More never hurt anyone!”
Leave a Reply