This time is unprecedented. We all know this. School districts around the country and world are scrambling about how to meet the educational needs of students. They are overwhelmed, frustrated and worried. And while many are sympathetic to the pressure placed on schools to come up with appropriate learning plans, there is growing concern that solutions for special education services have not been well thought out or implemented in a timely manner. I have read about parents demanding compensatory services or refusing to adjust therapy times. While I sympathize with concerns, I worry that this may collapse an already stressed system.
This is a time for parents to be flexible, to initiate communication and to help create temporary plans.
- Therapists will not be able to keep the same schedules because now they will be working around new obstacles – parents working at home, teaching schedules and HIPPA issues with group therapy. Be willing to temporarily reduce time so that all students receiving therapy may continue to do so.
- Some districts around the country are waiting for guidance from state and national leaders. They may be hesitant to reach out because they don’t have answers yet. Reach out to them. Acknowledge the uncertainty. Be open.
- Come to the table with ideas for your temporary plan. It is hard to be creative with a caseload of 55 or more. New ideas will help move the process forward. The sooner you get things in writing the sooner your child will receive services.
“Synergy is what happens when one plus one equals ten or a hundred or even a thousand! It’s the profound result when two or more respectful human beings determine to go beyond their preconceived ideas to meet a great challenge.” Stephen Covey