Speech IEP and Private School??

Updated on November 30, 2012
J.K. asks from Cuyahoga Falls, OH
13 answers

Does anyone have any info on speech IEP's in a private school setting versus in a public school? We are thinking of moving out of the city to a nicer area before our son enters kindergarten (he is 3). He is currently in an early intervention preschool program (which we LOVE) in the public school system with an IEP for speech and fine motor skill development. If we don't end up moving and stay here, we would prefer to send him to private school upon entering kindergarten. So my question is, do private schools offer the same quality of speech services as in the public schools? I am guessing that they don't, but was hoping to get some ideas from other moms (or speech therapists). Thanks!

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J.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

I think it depends on the school. I taught in a private school and my students that needed speech therapy were tested through the public school system. If it was determined that they needed speech services, they would go to the public school they were zoned for (usually once or twice a week) for the actual services. The private school I worked in did not offer speech.

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

Hi Jen,

I am an educational advocate for children with special needs.

The other Moms have told you the answer, some do, some don't, but in private school you may also have to pay for therapy. It is also possible that he could still get speech through your district if he attends private school, because the obligation to serve him does not end if he is enrolled in a private school, however; the school may say that they cannot serve him appropriately in that enviornment, and if they think that he can only be served appropriately if he attends public school, then you are in a take it or leave it situation and the obligation ends if you put him in private school and refuse the IEP.

From you post, my gut says that you are better off in a public school because he has two issues. He is not a speech only child, and you will not be offered OT unless he is enrolled in a public school and receives special education because OT is a related service under IDEA and speech is an educational service that does not always require an IEP. You will probably not find OT in any private school.

The very best advice I have for you is to take your son to a Developmental Pediatricain and have a full evaluation done. If you have already done this, great, but if you do not have a private evaluation that you control, then you are in a very weak possiton. You should NEVER know less than the school district about your child. The cold hard fact about special education services is this: parents must suplement public services with private therapy if they wish to maximize their childs potential. Schools are only required to make your child "functional" and give him a "basic floor of opportunity" and you want so, so, so, much more than that for your son.

I am glad that you love your son's program, but protect him and protect his future and get the evaluation done. You don't know what you might be missing, and you also need to have a way to confirm that he is getting everything he needs and that he is really making progress. You don't want to get a few years in and find that he needed something he did not get, or that the progress you thought you saw was not as much as you wanted for him. Early is best, take full advantage of his age and get him more, rather than less, even if you have to pay for it. And by the by, the word "BEST" is at the heart of all my advice for you, the school is not required to give him what is best, only what is appropriate, you want what is best-confirm that he gets that by owning a private evaluation that is far more detailed than anything the school provides and then make sure that he gets all that the Developmental Pediarician recommends.

Developmental Pediatricans can be found at your nearest childrens hospital, and they will refer him to speech, OT, PT, hearing, geneticists, ANYTHING that he needs to get the full picture, and then they will put ALL of these evlauations into one comprehensive report for you. It is worth the time and the money.

M.

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K.S.

answers from Springfield on

I don't know a lot about this, but I think if you are paying taxes in the public school system, you have the same access to their special services as do the kids that actually attend there. You obviously won't have the convenience of it being in the same school building, but perhaps arrangements can be made to accomodate his school schedule, perhaps visiting the public school at the end of the day a couple of afternoons a week...? Best of luck to you and your little one!

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Services may be different from school to school, but as someone who has taught in a private school the answer is no. While legally private schools have to offer services to students with special education needs, if we're talking our standard, garden variety private school, then you'd be better off in a public school.

Keep in mind, however, that the quality of services could vary greatly from school to school, both in the public and the private schools. You may be able to do some research and homework first to find a private school that has exceptional services for your child. Personally, though, I wouldn't go into a private school cold turkey and expecting the services to be great.

Good luck and hope your little boy gets the services he needs!

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K.L.

answers from Cincinnati on

I teach in a private, Catholic school. Each private school is different, but a lot, at least in our Cincinnati area, have some special education services. An IEP is "changed" to a similar plan that is not legally binding like in a public school. So, a private school is not legally obligated to provide services, like speech, but many are able to. Good luck!

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K.W.

answers from Milwaukee on

hi yes some private schools do have the programs available you could call the school and ask and also call the school district and tell them what school you were thinking about and ask them if they go into that school

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T.P.

answers from Cleveland on

My son is in a private school, and he has had speech issues since he was very young. My son's school evaluated him, as they do all of the children, and he has been in the school's speech therapy program for the last 2 years - he is currently in 2nd grade - it is going very well, and his speech continues to improve.

I think the best thing to do is check with the school you are looking to send him to, and see what programs they offer, and when they intervene with therapy for the child.

good luck!

~T.
http://MamaWorksFromHome.NET
http://FamilyBenefitsLive.com

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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi, Jen,

I don't know which way you're planning on heading out of Akron, or which private schools you're considering, but my children attend Spring Garden Waldorf in Copley. It is a fantastic school (obviously I think that or I wouldn't have my children there!) and the speech therapist is wonderful and definitely provides excellent quality of service! All of the children are evaluated when they start school, and those who need help, receive it.

I don't know about other private schools, but based on our school, I do take exception to the broad based comments that public school services are better. I'm sure it depends on the school - private OR public. As an example, I have a friend whose two children (9 and 10 years old) cannot pronounce their R sound, and have been in speech therapy at our highly rated local public school for two years now. Neither of them can say the R sound clearly YET. So, let's not make assumptions.

Check out the schools you're interested in and ask them about their program.

Good luck, J.

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D.T.

answers from Indianapolis on

It depends on the private school. By law, public schools MUST provide services. However, that again depends on the school district... some have programs in each building, some send the students to another building after or before school for programs, others just have all special ed students in one building instead of their 'home' school.

Private schools vary greatly. Most do not offer services, some do. I have friends who pulled their children out of private school and put into local public schools because their children needed extra help. In general, private schools are very good for average children but for children with some sort of disability or, on the other end, is highly gifted, they lack resources due to the small size.

Best thing for you to do is call around and talk with the private schools you might be interested in and ask them about their programs and policies. Same thing with public schools in the area you are considering moving to. Also keep in mind that many children who are in speech therapy at age 3 no longer need it by kindergarten or 1st grade. So it may be a mute point by the time he's 5.

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S.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

At the school that I teach at (a private infant - 8th grade school), we have several options for children who need special services outside the classroom. For students who have severe issues, the public school system is still obligated to provide services to any students who would receive those services in their schools. Some of our elementary age students take a bus from our school in the afternoon to the district center to receive those services, while other services are offered in our school. For children who don't qualify for district services, but who still benefit from those services, there are several options. We offer space for outside (private company) specialists hired by and paid for by parents to use within the school during the school day for students to receive services. Finally, many private schools have a learning specialist within the school to offer some services. At our school, we have a specialist half time who works with students who have reading difficulties.

My recommendation to you as a teacher is to look at the school itself and to choose the best school for your child, regardless of the speech services. There are many other options for providing speech therapy for your child if he continues to need it later in life.

Good luck!

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E.A.

answers from Dayton on

Hi. As an intervention specialist from a public school setting in Ohio, I have gone to several private schools over the years. I observe/evaluate/write IEPs for students there.

The public school district of residence is still responsible for some services for the student in a private school. Our school psychologist also travels to the school. He person evaluates ability, differences between ability and achievement, learning styles, etc.

The two of us generally travel to the private school with a laptop and printer to write the IEP, meeting with the teaching staff there. They implement the IEP in the private school setting. I am not sure who provides speech therapy. I work with older students and ST is generally not an issue.

Call you district of residence. Talk to the director of special education or the principal and ask the questions that are related to your concerns. Good luck.

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H.D.

answers from Cleveland on

I'm a teacher and have taught in both a private and public schools. When I taught in private schools, they offered NO services. I had a student who was clearly in need of special education services and there was nothing available at the school. At private schools I've seen there hasn't been any Speech services (or any other for that matter). Granted, there may be some out there. I'd look around first! Good luck!

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C.L.

answers from Tulsa on

Speech services are usually provided by the same therapists/pathologists that provide the public school services.
If your child is enrolled in a private school then the home school usually has the responsibility to provide "related services" at no cost to the parents. All therapies should be available. Some provide therapy on-site but usually it would be at the home school or at a neutral site. This is not a burden to the home school because usually they can be reimbursed by Medicaid if your child qualifies.

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