Abstract
This paper reports on the problems faced by the few speech therapists in Japan attempting to operate a private practice. Following a description of the present situation of the treatment office established by the author, the characteristics and special problems of private practice are discussed. The importance of the private practice in offering therapy to children in middle childhood is stressed. Also discussed are the difficulties in expanding to meet a growing demand, the problems with the present medical welfare system, and the role of the speech therapist in private practice in improving the system. It is argued here that in place of large-scale treatment organizations which are facing various difficulties, a new treatment system needs to be created where private practitioners with different specializations form treatment teams to respond to different situations. From the perspective of social finances, it is also argued that it is necessary to increase privately funded private practices for the sake of the financial health of municipalities.
