Can outside professionals work in schools?

Can Outside Professionals Work in Schools? A Parent’s Perspective

As a parent navigating the school system, especially when your child has special learning or developmental needs, you might wonder:

“Can I bring my child’s private therapist, SLP, OT, BCBA, or psychologist into the school or classroom to help?”

I’ve asked that question myself. And after talking to other parents and working with my local school, I’ve learned that the answer is usually no — with a few exceptions.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand through experience, and what I’d share with any other parent in York Region or elsewhere trying to figure this out.

❌ Can Private Therapists Work in the Classroom?

Generally speaking, outside professionals are not allowed to come into the school to provide therapy or support in the classroom. That includes:

• Private speech-language pathologists (SLPs)

• Occupational therapists (OTs)

• Psychologists hired by parents

• ABA/IBI therapists or BCBAs

• Counsellors or psychotherapists

This rule exists to protect student privacy, manage liability, and follow school board policies and union guidelines. Even if the intent is good, schools need to make sure everyone working in the classroom is board-approved and properly insured.

✅ What Parents Can Do Instead

That doesn’t mean we have no options. Here’s what’s worked for me and other parents:

1. Share Private Reports with the School

If you’ve had your child assessed privately by a psychologist, SLP, or OT, you can absolutely share that report with the school. I did this myself. The school team will review the recommendations and may use some of them when updating the IEP (Individual Education Plan).

That said, they don’t have to follow every suggestion, especially if it falls outside what’s possible in the classroom or board policies.

2. Bring Your Therapist to a School Meeting

You can invite your outside professional (e.g. a BCBA or SLP) to attend an IEP meeting or case conference. They won’t be part of the decision-making team, but they can help clarify your child’s needs and support you as a parent.

This was helpful for me — having someone who knows my child in another setting added depth to the conversation with the school.

3. Give the School Permission to Communicate with Your Therapist

If you want the school to speak directly with your child’s outside therapist, you’ll need to fill out Form S7 (Consent for Disclosure of Information). Without this form, the school legally can’t discuss your child’s information with anyone outside the board.

I recommend asking your principal or SERT (Special Education Resource Teacher) for the form.

4. Request a Board Assessment

If you haven’t yet done so, ask the school about referring your child to the school psychologist or board-based SLP or OT. These services are free — but the waitlist can be long. Still, they can be very useful for getting formal supports in place.

🛑 What’s Not Allowed (in Most Cases)

To be clear, here are the things that usually aren’t allowed unless something very specific is arranged:

• Your private therapist working directly with your child during school hours

• Observing your child in the classroom

• Providing therapy inside the school building

• Giving instructions to teachers or EAs on what to do

These restrictions are not about you as a parent or your child. They’re part of how the system works — sometimes frustrating, but based on union rules, student privacy laws, and school board protocols.

💬 Final Thoughts — Always Check with Your School

This blog post is based on my own experience as a parent in York Region. But I always recommend that you speak directly with your child’s principal or school staff. Every situation is different, and some principals are more open to collaboration than others.

The key is:

• Be respectful

• Ask questions

• Be informed about your rights

• And always keep your child at the center of the conversation

Related Posts You May Find Helpful:

• 🔗 Understanding the IEP Process: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide

• 🔗 What to Do If the School Doesn’t Follow Your Child’s IEP

• 🔗 IEP Accommodations vs. Modifications – What Parents Need to Know

• 🔗 How a Psychoeducational Assessment Supports the IEP Process

If you’re a parent going through this now, just know — you’re not alone. And even when the system feels confusing or overwhelming, your voice matters.