Use Your ESA For Pediatric Speech Therapy
The Therapy Garden is registered as ESA vendor serving families in Mesa and the East Valley.
We provide individualized, neurodiversity-affirming speech, language, and social therapy for children and teens, with eligible services available through ESA funding.
Can my homeschooled child get speech therapy for free?
Can my homeschooled child get speech therapy for free?
Possibly. Arizona’s Child Find requirements apply to homeschooled students, so families can contact their local public school district to ask about an evaluation for a child who may have a disability. Some children may qualify for services through the district’s equitable-services process. Another option for eligible Arizona families is an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). ESA funds can be used for qualifying educational services, including eligible services provided by approved vendors.
If you're a homeschooling family looking for speech or social therapy, we're happy to help you understand your options and determine whether The Therapy Garden may be a good fit for your child.
The Therapy Garden is run by a homeschooling mom who understands how difficult it can be to find support. If you need help moving through the ESA application, we are here to help.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do I use ESA to pay for therapy?
Q:
Do I need an autism diagnosis or other diagnosis to use ESA funds for therapy?
Q: How can I apply for ESA?
A: The Therapy Garden works with families through ClassWallet for ESA payments. Once your child is receiving services, we can provide the documentation needed for payment. Families submit payment requests through their ClassWallet account, and approved payments are issued directly to the provider.
A: We’re happy to help you understand how our services work with ESA, but families should confirm specific eligibility and allowable expenses with the Arizona Department of Education. To use ESA for therapy services, your child must have a "Disability Contract" with ESA. That does not necessarily mean your child has a medical diagnosis, but rather has some kind of delay or impairment that would allow them to receive special education services in public school, such as speech therapy.
A: You can apply for ESA with the Arizona Department of Education. You will need proof of residency your child's birth certificate, and a relevant IEP/MET report if you have one. Applications are typically processed within 30 days.
