Speech-Language Therapy (SLP)
A related service that helps children with speech sounds, language comprehension, expression, social communication, voice, and fluency. Provided by a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Federal rule: 34 CFR § 300.34 — Related services
Where SLP shows up in your IEP
Speech-language therapy appears twice. Once in the services grid, as a row with minutes, a group size and a setting, and again in the goals section as communication goals. The row should say whether sessions are individual or group and whether the therapist pushes into class or pulls your child out.
What to ask at the meeting
- Are these sessions individual or group, and how many children are in the group?
- Does the therapist come into class, and how does that carry into other lessons?
- Which communication goal is each session working on right now?
Red flags
- Minutes appear in the grid but no communication goal exists anywhere in the document.
- Sessions were missed for weeks and no note describes how they will be made up.
- Group size is left blank, so the service could mean two children or eight.
Example
Ana worked on her /r/ sounds twice a week in a group of four. Her progress report showed accuracy stuck near 40 percent for two quarters, so her mother asked what would change. The team moved one session into her classroom, where the therapist could coach the sound during real conversation, and accuracy rose by the next report.
Common questions
Who decides how many minutes my child gets?
The team does, together, based on need rather than a district-wide default. The honest question at the table is what amount of support makes the school day work — and the answer belongs on the services page with a frequency, a duration and a start date.
Can therapy be dropped once my child sounds clearer?
Exiting a service is a change to the IEP, so the team meets (or you and the school agree to a written amendment) and you receive prior written notice explaining the decision and the data behind it (§ 300.324(a)(4); § 300.503). Clearer speech in a quiet therapy room is not the same as clearer speech in a noisy classroom, and it is fair to ask which was measured.
Is this always a related service?
Not always. In some states speech-language services count as special education in their own right, which changes which paperwork the team uses. The support your child receives should not change with the label.
Related Terms
Related Services
Additional support services your child needs to benefit from special education. Common examples include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, transportation, and assistive technology.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Methods and tools used to help people who cannot rely on speech alone to communicate. This includes picture boards, sign language, and electronic speech-generating devices.
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Check the Whole IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.