When Your Child Doesn’t Qualify: Navigating The Special Needs Middle Ground
Episode 13: Sensory Processing Disorder, Dyslexia, Communication Delays, & Hope: Faith-Based Special Needs Advocacy & Parenting
As a speech-language pathologist in the schools, I see it all too often: children who are struggling but don’t quite meet the threshold for special education services. My recent conversation with Rachael Jenneman on the podcast highlighted this painful reality that many parents face: the special needs “middle ground.” Your child needs help, but they’re not “severe enough” to qualify for services. What then?
The Qualification Gap Reality
Rachael’s words resonated deeply: “What was frustrating about the sensory processing disorder is there isn’t help for that either… He did not qualify for OT because he did not have autism or ADHD.”*
*I am not familiar with the specific of Michigan law, I do understand that children can receive OT services without a specific disability label such as Autism or ADHD in my state of WI. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your states regulations and rule.
From my professional perspective, I had to admit a difficult truth during our conversation: “We literally as providers must provide the minimum possible. We cannot do anymore.” This is the heartbreaking reality of special education in many states:
- Schools must follow strict qualification parameters set by law
- If a child doesn’t meet specific criteria, services aren’t available—even when delays may be present
- Providers often recognize needs but are constrained by these guidelines
- Parents are often left searching for alternatives on their own
A particularly frustrating aspect of this qualification gap is when schools classify certain disorders as “medical” rather than “educational.” For example, myofunctional disorders—problems with the muscles and functions of the face and mouth—often fall into this category. Yet these “medical” issues can significantly impact:
- Speech clarity and articulation
- Breathing patterns (potentially leading to sleep-disordered breathing)
- Academic performance and attention
- Facial development and dental alignment
- Eating and swallowing
Despite these far-reaching effects on learning and classroom performance, these challenges frequently don’t qualify for school-based services, leaving families without the support they desperately need.
Beyond the School System: Taking Action
When your child falls into this qualification gap, you still have options. Here are actionable approaches based on insights from my conversation with Rachael:
1. Seek Private Evaluations and Services
One critical point to understand: private therapy services operate under completely different qualification guidelines than schools. What doesn’t qualify in an educational setting may easily qualify in a medical or private setting.
- Get a comprehensive private evaluation to identify specific challenges
- Explore private speech therapy for language, articulation, or comprehension issues
- Consider occupational therapy for sensory processing, fine motor, or self-regulation needs
- Look into educational psychology evaluations to identify learning disabilities like dyslexia
- Investigate myofunctional therapy for oral-facial muscle issues that can impact speech, breathing, sleep, and learning
At Speaking Life Speech Therapy & Wellness, we offer both direct speech therapy services (in-person and virtual) and family coaching packages specifically designed for families navigating this qualification gap. Our private therapy services can address needs that schools often consider “medical” rather than educational—which is frequently why children don’t qualify for school services despite having real challenges. We look into the root cause of the challenges to improve outcomes.
Action Step: Research providers in your area who specialize in your child’s suspected challenges, or schedule a free consultation with Speaking Life Speech Therapy & Wellness to discuss your child’s specific needs and our support options.
2. Become a Researcher and Advocate
- Read books and articles specific to your child’s challenges
- Join online communities of parents with similar experiences
- Document behaviors and challenges to track patterns and progress
- Prepare detailed information before meetings with educators or healthcare providers
Action Step: Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) to organize your research, observations, and communication with professionals.
3. Partner With Educators
Rachael emphasized: “I’ve always tried to be that parent that says, I want to help you succeed with my child. I don’t want you to think that it’s me against you.”
- Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year
- Provide specific strategies that work for your child
- Create a “support kit” with sensory tools or other resources for the classroom
- Maintain regular communication about progress and challenges
- Express gratitude for their efforts to accommodate your child
Action Step: Prepare a one-page “About My Child” document that highlights strengths, challenges, and effective strategies to share with teachers.
4. Implement Home-Based Interventions
- Create a sensory-friendly space for your child to regulate
- Establish consistent routines to reduce anxiety and build security
- Incorporate therapeutic activities into daily life (e.g., sensory play, speech practice)
- Use visual schedules to support executive functioning
- Consider curriculum modifications that play to your child’s strengths
Action Step: Select one area where your child struggles and research three simple interventions you can implement at home this week.
5. Consider Alternative Educational Options
- Explore homeschooling for targeted intervention, even temporarily
- Look into charter schools with different teaching approaches
- Investigate private schools that specialize in learning differences
- Consider hybrid options that combine traditional school with supplemental support
Action Step: Schedule tours or information sessions with at least two alternative educational settings in your area.
Advocating Effectively Within the System
Even when your child doesn’t qualify for special education, there are still ways to advocate within the school system:
- Request a 504 Plan (If applicable) for classroom accommodations
- Inquire about RTI (Response to Intervention) programs
- Ask about available support services that don’t require qualification
- Connect with the school counselor for additional emotional support
- Join the PTA or school committees to advocate for inclusive practices
Action Step: Request a meeting with your school’s guidance counselor to discuss available support options outside of special education. Overwhelmed by this list? Schedule our free 15 minute consultation to help decrease the overwhelm and feel empowered as a parent.
Finding Faith in the Middle Ground
What inspired me most about my conversation with Rachael was how she found purpose through these challenges. Her perspective on John 9, where Jesus explains that the blind man’s condition exists so “the power of God can be shown through him,” offers a powerful reframing:
“Maybe I didn’t do anything wrong, that my kids are the way they are,” Rachael reflected, “but they are the way they are, so the power of God can be shown through them.”
This perspective doesn’t minimize the challenges but adds a layer of purpose that can sustain us through advocacy battles.
From Professional Experience
As a speech-language pathologist, I’ve been on both sides of this conversation. I’ve had to explain qualification guidelines to disappointed parents, and I’ve seen the incredible progress children can make with the right support—whether or not they qualify for services.
What I want parents to know is this: Trust your instincts. If you believe there is more to your child’s challenges, keep pursuing answers—even when the school system can’t provide them.
How Speaking Life Speech Therapy & Wellness Can Help
At Speaking Life Speech Therapy & Wellness, we specialize in supporting families whose children fall into the whole spectrum of communication, feeding, and airway challenges, including those who may fall into the “qualification gap.” We offer:
- Comprehensive Speech and Language Evaluations that go beyond school assessments
- Direct Speech Therapy Services both in-person and virtual
- Myofunctional Therapy to address oral-facial muscle issues that schools often classify as “medical” or staff simply don’t know how to recognize
- Family Coaching Packages to empower you with strategies to support your child at home
- School Advocacy Support to help you navigate IEP and 504 meetings effectively
- Holistic Wellness Approach that considers how environmental factors affect development
What sets our practice apart is our commitment to whole-child wellness. We recognize that communication development doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s influenced by nutrition, environmental factors, and overall health. That’s why we incorporate natural and low-toxin living strategies into our treatment plans:
- Sleep and respiratory health optimization to improve learning and attentionOur approach recognizes that communication challenges impact the whole child and the entire family—not just their educational performance. We’re passionate about providing support that bridges the gap between what schools can offer and what your child truly needs AND looking into the root cause of the challenges.
- Environmental assessments to identify potential toxins that may impact cognition and development
- Natural support strategies that complement traditional therapy approaches
These holistic approaches often address underlying issues that traditional therapy alone might miss, leading to improved outcomes and faster progress. By combining evidence-based speech therapy with wellness strategies, we’re able to help children who haven’t responded to conventional approaches alone.
Our approach recognizes that communication challenges impact the whole child and the entire family—not just their educational performance. We’re passionate about providing support that bridges the gap between what schools can offer and what your child truly needs.
Remember, you don’t have to go it alone!
Has your family navigated the special needs “middle ground”? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Connect with Rachael Jenneman
- Facebook, Instagram, TikTok: @RachaelJenneman
- Website: RachaelJenneman.com
- Radio show: “Unique on Purpose”
As always, this is not medical advice. Reach out to your medical provider with specific questions. Nothing in this post is intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.