Usually, speech-language services may only be offered as either individual or group sessions. On occasion, parents may be able to choose between two different programs. This article is directly parents trying to choose between individual and group therapy sessions. Most people are more familiar with individual therapy sessions, where the speech-language pathologist would see a child for twenty to sixty minute appointment. Group therapy session often involve two to six children, with similar, yet different therapy goals.
Sessions can also last from a half-hour to a half day, or longer depending on the program.
In general, group therapy sessions last longer than individual therapy sessions, to ensure that each child gets adequate amount of practice and attention from the speech-language pathologist. The speech-language pathologist works with the children at the same time during one common activity. When the children's goals are grouped together, sometimes one child's goals may be less individualized to accommodate the needs of the group or the group dynamics. At first glance, individual therapy seems to be superior to group therapy because the child gets the attention of the clinician for the entire therapy session. In addition, goals can be customized to suit that child, on that day, depending upon performance and motivation levels that day.