Makes Me Want To Scream

Here’s what’s wrong with the public school’s special education services:

Ari’s speech therapist, Miss P., called to let me know she wouldn’t be able to see her tomorrow. I didn’t think it was a big deal – unexpected things pop up. And Ari still had a private speech session scheduled, plus a second one with Miss P., for later in the week.

Then she explained why she wouldn’t be able to see Ari.

She was attending a committee meeting. The special education committee meeting. She had put in a request for a substitute therapist so her kids wouldn’t have to miss a session, but the powers that be didn’t come through.

Ari is just one of many kids who will miss their speech therapy this week. It’s not a big deal for us, but many of these kids only get one session a week and are not necessarily getting private services. At over $120 an hour, private speech therapy is, unfortunately, a luxury many families can’t afford.

So here’s what I understand: Miss P.’s bosses want her to cancel therapy sessions in order to attend a committee meeting. The goal of the meeting is to see how the school district can better serve the students receiving special education services.

Perhaps the first goal should be a lesson in common sense.