Therapy Deserves a Hall Pass
- Christina Munro
- Jul 17
- 6 min read
Summer often brings more flexibility for daytime therapy sessions, but once the school year begins, families may find themselves navigating tighter schedules. While pulling a child out of school for therapy might raise eyebrows, it’s important to remember that mental health care is health care. Just as we prioritize medical appointments, therapy deserves the same understanding and respect.
As a former school social worker and now an outpatient mental health therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how allowing children and teens to attend therapy during school hours can be not only reasonable but often the most effective and supportive choice for their overall well-being. This flexibility reduces barriers to care, supports emotional health, and helps young people engage more fully both academically and socially.
Here’s why this approach can make a meaningful difference, both now and in the long run.
The Law
You might wonder, “Is it even allowed for my child to miss school for therapy?” The simple answer is yes. In Illinois, students are legally permitted to be absent from school for medical appointments, including mental health and therapy sessions.
According to the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/26-2a)1, “‘Valid cause’ for absence shall be illness, including the mental or behavioral health of the student, attendance at a verified medical or therapeutic appointment…” This means mental health is legally recognized as a valid reason for school absence, just like any physical illness.
Schools may have concerns about absences during the day, but it’s important to remember that these appointments are for your child’s well-being. Taking care of their mental health helps them feel better and be more ready to learn and succeed in school. Supporting their health benefits, everyone.
Therapy Is Health Care
Mental health therapy is a vital part of healthcare. For children facing challenges like anxiety, depression, or neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD and Autism, therapy isn’t just helpful; it’s medically necessary. Just as we wouldn’t ask a child to wait until after school to see their pediatrician, we shouldn’t expect them to delay therapy.
Many outpatient therapies, like OT and speech, take place during the school day because they are recognized as essential healthcare services. Prioritizing mental health care supports your child’s well-being today and in the long run. In fact, therapy during the school day helps reduce stigma and fosters a culture of mental wellness.
School Success
When children feel emotionally overwhelmed, it’s much harder for them to learn and succeed in school. Therapy helps by giving them practical tools to manage anxiety, regulate emotions, and build important life skills like emotional intelligence and self-regulation. They learn safe strategies for handling big feelings, which reduces stress and improves focus.
Therapy supports self-esteem and confidence, along with stronger interpersonal and problem-solving skills, abilities that directly transfer to academics, peer relationships, and everyday challenges. With consistent therapeutic support, students are more likely to stay focused during class, cope better with stress, and complete their work more confidently. Though it may mean missing some classroom time, therapy is never wasted time; it is a crucial investment in your child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive both in school and beyond.
As one special education teacher shared, “Several of my students miss school weekly for therapies, and my thought is: please take them! It's important. Some therapies like ABA, feeding, or traditional talk therapy can’t be done at school, and when students get the right care, it makes a difference in the classroom.”
Research indicates that outpatient therapy can lead to significant improvements in academic performance, including better grades, by addressing underlying mental health issues2.
Special Education & Neurodivergence
For neurodivergent children and those with special needs, outpatient therapies can make a meaningful difference both inside and outside the classroom. Mental health services provide practical tools that help children manage challenges, build essential skills, and engage more fully with learning, friendships, and daily life, especially in ways that might otherwise feel overwhelming or out of reach.
While missing a period of PE or study hall once a week may feel like a trade-off, it’s a small one compared to the lasting benefits. These therapies complement and support school-based services, promoting growth, independence, and success both now and in the future.
Outpatient therapy plays an important role in supporting special education and neurodiverse children by helping them manage sensory overload and emotional overwhelm, making their school day less stressful and easier to handle. It also helps build key skills like organization, focus, and time management, skills essential for success in and out of the classroom.
Therapy encourages positive communication and social skills, helping children form positive relationships with peers and teachers. It also teaches self-advocacy and emotional regulation, giving children the confidence to understand and express their needs. With steady mental health support, children are better equipped to learn, grow, and feel good about who they are.
Early Support & Crisis Prevention
We know that early intervention is an important part of reducing mental health crises. Consistent therapy can lower the risk of serious challenges such as suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, school refusal, and other crises that may lead to suspensions or hospitalizations. When the only available appointment falls during the school day, missing one period a week for therapy can sometimes be the difference between managing a minor crisis and requiring hospitalization.
Some children may still need a higher level of care at times, but what matters most is ensuring timely support to manage challenges and promote well-being. Prioritizing consistent therapy during the school day might mean missing a class, but it can help prevent longer absences later on.
Why Choose a Daytime Session
For many families, daytime therapy sessions are often the most realistic and effective option. Therapists’ schedules fill quickly, especially those specializing in children and teens. Caregivers frequently juggle busy afternoons and evenings filled with work, activities, and transportation challenges, making daytime sessions a better fit. This schedule works well for work-from-home or stay-at-home caregivers, as well as families with nannies or childcare providers who can bring the child to appointments. This flexibility helps make consistent therapy less stressful for everyone involved.
Children generally have more energy and focus during the day, making therapy sessions more engaging and meaningful, which in turn leads to better progress and outcomes. They also tend to be more emotionally regulated and able to participate fully in their activities. Therapists aim to provide the best care possible, and daytime appointments allow for closer coordination with school mental health staff and other providers.
We understand that balancing therapy appointments with family schedules can be challenging, but daytime sessions often offer the most practical and least stressful solution.
Ultimately, when it comes to prioritizing a child’s well-being, many caregivers recognize the benefits of daytime therapy. One parent put it best: “If my child was experiencing serious behavior and/or mental health symptoms, I would absolutely do the best thing for them and allow them to miss the least impactful class during the school day to get the therapy they need.”
School Communication
Scheduling a daytime appointment requires a few extra steps, including notifying the school that your child will have weekly or bi-weekly appointments during school hours. When informing the attendance office, mental health team, or administration, clearly share your child’s therapy schedule and emphasize that these absences should be excused as medical appointments. Schools are required to excuse such absences just like any other healthcare visit, under code 105 ILCS 5/26-2a3.
Mental health care is essential, and attending outpatient therapy during the school day should be treated no differently than medical or dental appointments. Many students already leave class for in-school services, and outpatient therapy is no different. To minimize disruption, aim to schedule sessions during less critical times such as electives, lunch, or study hall.
If your child has an IEP or Section 504 plan, including therapy appointments in it can help ensure consistent support and understanding. If they do not have one, consider pursuing a Section 504 plan or asking for a note in the attendance system to provide valuable accommodations.
Takeaway
Therapy is an investment in a child’s well-being, resilience, and long-term success. When we prioritize mental health, we don’t just support emotional growth; we equip children with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and in every area of life.
Christina Munro, LSW
References
Further Reading:
Comments