Michelle: My child is to receive two 30 minute ST sessions per week (5 cycle days) at public school as specifically stated in his IEP. It is documented that he has missed 19 days this school year. The Special Education Supervisor has stated on numerous occasions that missed sessions due to the SLP’s illness or her child’s illness does not need to be made up. Only absences due to other IEP meetings and during a month when the position was vacant need to be made up. Is that true? Are they exempt from making up missed sessions due to illnesses? At what point is this excessive? These missed sessions equate to more than 35%.
Can I seek my own private SLP and demand reimbursement from the District?
The federal dept. of education has stated that in such situations sessions must be made up. Your state education agency should be aware of this. You can request in writing to the special ed director that missed sessions be made up this summer. If they do not agree, you have the basis for a state complaint.