Questions - Can the school system do this?

January 31, 2002

Hi,

I need some input on my son's rights with his therapy through the

preschool services with the public school system. Hopefully someone

knows the answers to these questions.

1) If his speech therapy (he only goes 1 time 30 minutes a week) is

canceled because the speech therapist is not available (she has a

school meeting or is on vacation) shouldn't they have to provide a

make-up time or provide a substitue therapist? I mean in a regular

classroom they don't just cancel class if the teacher has a meeting

or is taking the day off. My thought is his IEP says 1 time 30

minutes a week and they need to provide that regardless of meetings

and vacations for the therapist. Any thoughts?

2) He has his therapy with another child who is not working on the

same things he is. In that case, is he not really only getting 10-15

minutes of speech therapy? That is not in accordance with the IEP

that states 30 minutes. How can a therapist give 30 minutes each to

2 children who are working on different things? (Does that make

sense?)

3) I requested that I sit in while he has his therapy but they are

really really really REALLY against that. Almost downright hostile.

I told them I can work better with him at home if I see what the

therapist is doing with him (which is true) but they are against it.

4)I am going to have to go on bedrest for a high risk pregnancy. Can

I request home-based services and do they have to offer this? Or am

I required to transport my child to the school or he doesn't get

services?

5) They told me that since my son will be eligible for kindergarten

next year (he turns 5 before the deadline date), that even if I hold

him back (put him in preschool another year which I plan to do) they

do not have to provide services for him. Is that true?

If anyone has any thoughts I would be SO greatful. I know I should

just consider the public school system therapy a freebie and not even

get myself worked up about it, but I can't. I've had so many bad

experiences with them in the past 2 years that it just makes me want

to be a " squeaky wheel " so he gets what he needs. I have read

through my " parent's rights handbook " and it doesn't address these

things.

Thank you for your help!

Leigh

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