Therapy Frequency: Recommendations or Prescriptions?
Every recommendation made by providers at ICAN - every hour of therapy and schedule we design - is intentional. When clinical teams recommend a certain number of weekly therapy hours, it’s not arbitrary or based on convenience. Therapeutic recommendations are made by healthcare professionals with specialized training who use research-based information, your child’s individual developmental needs, current skill gaps, and the long-term goals to determine how much therapy your child would benefit from.
Why Recommended Hours Matter
Therapy is most effective when it’s consistent and comprehensive. When children attend the full amount of therapy recommended for them:
Progress happens faster
Children have incredible neuroplasticity, but they need repetition. More hours create more opportunities to practice skills, build new neural connections, and reinforce learning.More generalization
Kids are better able to use their new skills in everyday settings like at home, school, and in the community, when they’ve had enough structured practice across multiple sessions. It’s hard for anyone to functionally use new knowledge if they haven’t had adequate time to practice it in a safe environment.The overall duration of therapy decreases
Children who attend fewer hours when starting services often stay in therapy for much longer because their progress is slower and less stable. More hours now often means fewer years of therapy later. Our goal is for kids to graduate!
Why Younger Children Often Need More Hours
Early childhood is a period of rapid brain development. During these early years, children’s brains are more flexible and primed for learning new skills. That’s why younger children may receive higher recommendations - this window doesn’t open twice, and maximizing it can make a lifelong difference.
Common Concerns (And How We Support You)
We understand that fitting therapy into a family’s life can feel overwhelming. Many families share similar worries, and we want you to know that you’re not alone, and that the ICAN team is here to help.
“My child has school.”
Schools cannot penalize students or families for attending medically necessary services. There are federal protections ensuring your child’s right to receive medical care, including therapies like ABA, OT, PT, Feeding, and Speech. School-based services are also not equivalent to medically-based therapy and typically cannot meet the level of intensity or frequency your child needs. School-based services are only required to provide services for skills that directly impact academics, and often do not address other challenges your child may be experiencing.
Many families choose partial school attendance or modified schedules so that their child can receive the support that will truly move the needle.“They still nap / their schedule is rigid.”
We can absolutely work with nap schedules and developmental needs. Our clinicians design therapy that supports both skill-building and age-appropriate routines, gradually building stamina in ways that are comfortable and respectful for your child.“I don’t have the flexibility to drive them every day.”
Families regularly use options like intermittent FMLA, PFML, workplace accommodations, flexible schedules, or support from extended family. We’re happy to share what we’ve seen work well for other families and help you explore practical solutions.
We’re Here to Partner With You
Your child’s recommended therapy hours are a medically supported roadmap that are tailored specifically to support their growth, independence, and long-term success. When families follow these recommendations consistently, we see children reach milestones more quickly, maintain skills more effectively, and thrive across environments. It sets kids up for long-term success.
If you have questions about your child’s recommended schedule, or if you need help navigating logistics, please reach out. We’re here with ideas, resources, and solutions to make sure your child can receive the care they deserve.