School, Clinic, and Home Therapies
A variety of therapies are available to assist students in learning skills that facilitate success, as well as support students in managing stress, and advocating for their needs. There are three therapy options available to parents: schools, clinics, or home programs.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) specifies the following therapies available to students ages 0-21 that have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) as a result of a diagnosed disability. These services, funded under federal guidelines, are free to all eligible children with disabilities; however, not all school districts offer them to homeschoolers.
- speech-language pathology
- audiology services
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- therapeutic recreation
- counseling services
- rehabilitation counseling
Related services also include school health services, social work services, and parent counseling and training when the child is enrolled in the school.
Therapies are also provided privately as a paid service and may be located and vetted through professional organizations and licensing boards in each specialty area. Private therapies may be costly, but are often covered in family health insurance policies. Resources provided on the following websites will assist you in locating services in your geographical area.
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
- American Academy of Private Practice in Speech and Audiology (AAPPSPA)
- The American Academy of Audiology
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- American Occupational Therapy Association
- STAR Institute Treatment Directory
- The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
- National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
Speech/Language Therapy
- Speech Therapy Talk is a program developed by a certified ASHA therapist with the goal of providing parents guidance and resources to teach their own children at home. Use their free resources or pay a minimal monthly fee for greater support.
- Straight Talk Speech Therapy, provided through National Challenged Homeschoolers Association Network (NATHHAN), offers 2 different programs, depending on your child’s needs.
- Lindamood-Bell LiPS is a program that private therapists often use, but may also be purchased as a kit with a teacher’s guide for use at home or implemented as online instruction.
Occupational Therapy
- Different by Design Learning offers OT strategies to work on at home, created by a former special education teacher; coaching is also available.
- Therapy Street provides many OT activities that can be done at home, but does not promote itself as a full program, but rather supplemental to a school OT program. However, 16 skill areas are addressed with plenty of teaching strategies.
Physical Therapy
- PediaStaff has endless physical therapy activities and ideas for home and school.
- Your Therapy Source published Therapeutic Activities for Home and School, a book with over 40 occupational and physical therapy activities that can be implemented at home.
Recreational Therapy
Recreational therapy includes hippotherapy, aqua-therapy, music and art therapy, sports therapy, and use of therapy animals. I recommend searching your local area for options by talking with pediatricians, therapists, and disability-specific parent support groups. Once you’ve enrolled your child in a program, the therapist can instruct you on follow up activities at home for greater progress and continuity.
- American Hippotherapy Association
- Physiopedia-Aquatherapy
- American Music Therapy Association
- American Art Therapy Association
Teletherapy
Teletherapy (also referred to as telemedicine or telepractice) offers online speech, occupational, and physical therapy as well as mental health services through live video conferencing platforms. Sessions are similar to traditional therapy sessions except that the student and therapist interact through live video. During therapy sessions, the student and therapist use webcams, headsets, and an online learning environment to see, hear, and interact with each other.
Teletherapy has been endorsed by American Speech Language and Hearing Association as a viable option that produces equal results to in-person therapy. For homeschooling families, this provides a more convenient and relaxed environment for children, while allowing parents to be present during the session so they can learn skills to use in follow-up practice with their children.
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