Balancing Work, School, and Therapy: Real Tips From Bridgeway Parents

January 7, 2026 Balancing Work, School, and Therapy: Real Tips From Bridgeway Parents

Balancing your child’s therapy schedule with work, school, and family life is a challenge many Utah families face. Between ABA sessions, mental health appointments, pediatric care, and school demands, it’s easy to feel stretched thin.

At Bridgeway Integrated Healthcare Services, we understand how complex life can be when you’re coordinating care for a child with autism or behavioral needs especially if you’re also working or attending school yourself. Our integrated care model simplifies access by bringing ABA therapy, mental health counseling, primary care, and academic support into one system, with centers across Taylorsville, Lehi, St. George, Salt Lake City, and more.

Based on what our care teams see families navigate every day, these are practical strategies that can help simplify schedules and reduce stress when balancing work, school, and therapy.

Practical Scheduling Strategies Families Often Find Helpful

1. Create a Weekly “Therapy Command Center.”

Many families find it helpful to create a centralized weekly schedule that everyone in the household can see. A visible schedule, like a whiteboard in the kitchen or a shared Google Calendar, can prevent last-minute confusion and reduce stress.

Scheduling Tips

  • Use color-coding: Blue for school, green for ABA, red for medical.
  • Add reminders: “Pack snack,” “Therapy shirt,” “Pick-up Grandma.”
  • Include who’s handling drop-offs and pick-ups.
  • Try apps like Cozi, TimeTree, or Google Calendar for shared access across devices.

Keeping everyone on the same page helps create a smoother weekly rhythm.

2. Stack Appointments When Possible

Scheduling multiple services on the same day can reduce disruptions to work or school during the week.

Bridgeway’s integrated care model may allow families to coordinate multiple services at a single location. Depending on location and availability, this can include:

  • ABA therapy sessions
  • Mental health counseling
  • Pediatric primary care

This approach is practical in larger centers such as Taylorsville, Lehi, and Salt Lake City, where a variety of in-house services are available.

Related Service → Explore Integrated Healthcare in Utah.

3. Consider Educational Support Options

For some families, therapy schedules can interfere with traditional school routines. In those cases, additional academic support options may help reduce the need to choose between learning and therapy.

Bridgeway’s Academy program combines academic tutoring with behavioral and mental health support. This option can be invaluable for:

  • Children who’ve missed school due to appointments
  • Families seeking a hybrid model of education and therapy
  • Students who benefit from one-on-one learning environments

Related Service → Explore Special Education Support

4. Build a Support Circle

Many families discover that building a broader support circle can make day-to-day logistics more manageable.

Consider who else in your life may be able to help with:

Support Role

Example Help

Partner or Spouse

School drop-offs or therapy pickups

Grandparent or Sitter

Childcare during overlapping appointments

Therapist or RBT

In-home strategies to manage behaviors

Teacher or IEP Team

Flexible school accommodations or communication

Employer or Professor

Adjusted work/class hours or remote options

Bridgeway teams can also help you map out your household’s support system and develop a sustainable care plan.

5. Don’t Forget to Prioritize Your Mental Health

Caregivers often benefit from their own mental health support, especially when managing complex schedules and emotional demands.

Bridgeway offers mental health therapy for adults, including:

  • Counseling for stress, burnout, or anxiety
  • Medication management
  • Family or couples therapy sessions

Many families find that when caregivers are supported, the entire household functions more smoothly.

Related Service → Find Mental Health Therapy Near You.

Location-Specific Scheduling Considerations

Here are examples of scheduling considerations families often explore in different areas:

Taylorsville, UT

  • Early morning sessions to avoid traffic congestion
  • Ability to coordinate care across ABA, therapy, and primary care

Contact our Taylorsville office

St. George, UT

  • Using local school calendars to plan appointments
  • Participating in community-based events like Bridgeway’s Family Festivals

Schedule ABA therapy in St. George

Cedar City, UT

  • Aligning sessions with school half-days
  • Using the Academy program to reduce academic interruptions

Explore autism support services in Cedar City

Lehi, UT

  • Scheduling around hybrid or remote work setups
  • Using consolidated services in one building for therapy days

Schedule primary care for families in Lehi

Roy, UT

  • Creating carpool groups with other local families
  • Taking advantage of shared support between Roy and Riverdale

Find behavioral therapy for children in Roy

Brigham City, UT

  • Booking therapy after school to minimize missed class time
  • Exploring in-home ABA options if distance is a challenge

Contact our Brigham City location

Richfield, UT

  • Setting up telehealth for counseling or med management
  • Adjusting school or work time around long-distance travel

Learn about Medicaid ABA coverage in Richfield

Salt Lake City, UT

  • Scheduling multiple services at one center for efficiency
  • Taking advantage of family counseling availability

Schedule mental health therapy near Salt Lake City

Riverdale, UT

  • Coordinating schedules for siblings across nearby centers
  • Leveraging flexibility across services and school hours

Contact our Riverdale team

What If You’re Working or in School, Too?

Many caregivers supporting children through therapy are also:

  • Working full-time or part-time
  • Enrolled in college or graduate programs
  • Caring for additional children

Helpful strategies include:

  • Communicating with your workplace or school for scheduling flexibility
  • Applying for Family Medical Leave (FMLA) where applicable
  • Ask your Bridgeway care team to help streamline sessions
  • Considering a career shift, some caregivers choose to become RBTs or BCBAs themselves

Explore Careers → See RBT and BCBA roles available in Utah

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Schedule Multiple Services On The Same Day?

Depending on location and availability, Bridgeway’s integrated care model may allow families to coordinate multiple services on the same day.

Is Medicaid Accepted For ABA Therapy In Utah?

Yes, Bridgeway accepts many Utah Medicaid plans for ABA therapy and other services. You can verify your child’s eligibility through our intake process.

What If School Keeps Getting Interrupted?

Bridgeway’s Academy program may help your child stay on track academically while receiving necessary therapy.

Can Siblings Receive Support Too?

Yes. Ask about family sessions, sibling social skills programs, or emotional support resources available through our mental health services.

Your Schedule Can Work—With the Right Support

Managing therapy, school, and work can feel overwhelming, but families across Utah are finding systems that work for them. Whether you’re in Lehi, Taylorsville, St. George, or beyond, Bridgeway is here to provide whole-family care that fits your real life.

Take the Next Step With Bridgeway

Whether you’re just starting ABA or already deep into weekly appointments, we’re here to help you plan a schedule that supports your goals.

  • Schedule a Free Consultation
  • Explore Services
  • Apply for a Career at Bridgeway
  • Find a Location Near You

Let’s build a schedule that works—for your child, your career, and your family.