Does anyone else have this problem?

Quick background info:My DD is ASD and receives ABA 9x a week and Speech 3x. My daughter's been receiving EI services since October she is 2 years old. In addition to this My DH lives in SC due to work and within the past few weeks we've decided to move down there with him in august when her EI services are over due to her age and acceptance into school.

Now onto the problem:
Lately I feel like her teachers do nothing but cancel on us left and right, move times around without consulting me and taking advantage of her time. It's almost the whole team, not just one or two! They come later and later and leave earlier and earlier. On a weekly basis I say we're lucky if we get 6 ABA sessions. Her speech therapist is amazing, but everyone else I feel doesn't give an effort.

I don't know who to talk to anymore about this because I spoke to the program head who tells me to talk to the team leader, I talk to the team leader who is just as bad as the other therapists and I feel like im being sent on a chase! And I understand that it's summer and they have families of their own but I feel my daughter isn't benefiting from it anymore.

There's such little time left and it's bothering me and I need some help.

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

I had this issue last year with one of DS OTs.

As a result, I had the service provided at school this year because it was to disruptive for my MIL, who watches DS while I'm at work, dealing with this lady's BS all the time.

As someone who has done field work in the past with difficult client populations, I think this is ridiculous.

101 you learn the importance of schedules, or at least sticking to your appt. once it's made.

The problem this year, we never heard from the new OT.

So lack of communication is another problem.

Fortunately, I think DS is doing well now, so I'm glad to be rid of the services.

Only therapist we really liked was his SEIT when he had one.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Talk to the Head of the agency you are working with. Tell them the issue includes the team leader as well. Also call up your county rep.

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

I had this problem with one. Keep a diary of hours they come and leave and call the coordinator of the agency. She thanked me for telling her this and got rid of her so fast.

Does anyone else have this problem?

We had tons of scheduling issues in the beginning. I honestly couldn't even remember what our scheduled time was bc I always just got a text asking if she could come at such and such a time instead. I put up with it bc I knew we were switching soon. We just finished our last PT last week and I definitely noticed the sessions getting shorted by the end. We had one or two cancellations recently and a few scattered here and there but not too bad. I do think maybe some get more lax as they're wrapping up with a client. However, I would absolutely complain since you have a lot of sessions to deal with in the next month and I would be really annoyed if it continued and you see a lack of progress.

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

Thank you everyone, I just feel lost sometimes and I greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences with me and the advice.

Even this morning, One therapist was supposed to switch times with another, wrote in the communication book she'd be taking it, we're sitting around waiting for someone to show up. I send out a text message to both teachers asking if anyone's coming and the one who person who said they'd take it messages back saying she didn't say it was definite yet and she'll let me know next week. So Not only is another session cancelled but I dragged the poor kid out of bed at the crack of dawn after she had a really rough night, for nothing.

I'm considering just firing the entire agency and riding out the summer until we move to SC and start services there in September.

Does anyone else have this problem?

I have one therapist that does this a lot. Shows up late or calls last minute to cancel without offering a makeup. It's infuriating and frustrating, but she only comes twice a week and I'm the type of personality that will just deal with it rather than stir waters.

That being said, if it was all of DS' therapists, I would be feeling a lot like you are. Maybe just cut down the sessions for the summer ? Since you're not getting the 9 now anyway, just see if you can get a definite (at least) 6 out of them and eat the others hours?

Since placing complaints isn't really working, either you have to deal with their lack of responsibility or as you said, just fire the agency for the summer and pick up with her services when you go down south. It's really depended on if you feel like putting up with them for another month or not. I wish you luck and of course a safe move for when you go!

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

I wanted to thank everyone for the advice and sharing their experiences with me. I finally got in contact with the person in charge of my DD's case at the agency and my DH and I gave them an earful of discontent. They are working with her therapists to make sure that someone will be there for their service time as indicated. Hopefully everyone stays true to what the director says.


Thank You so much again. I really appreciate it. :)

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

Funny you mention this. One of DS therapists is supposed to come a few times a week for 90 min each session. She usually comes about 10 min late but still leaves on time. And usually the last 15 min is spent writing in her log & communication book. Sometimes DS does not cooperate with her and a few times she left early, like 20-30 min early, another time he was sick and she was there for 20 min before leaving. Yet in her log that I had to sign, she puts down that she was in and out for the full 90 minutes. I questioned her on this and she said that she has to put that on the log regardless on if she leaves early, or if we go on vacation etc.... i don't know if this is true or not.

Message edited 7/10/2014 2:14:42 PM.

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

Re: Does anyone else have this problem?

There is a place for time of session, and the therapist is supposed to be 'exact' with their time. If they are late, they should stay later. If the child is having a tough time, they should not leave. That is actually the worst thing they could do, if they are trying to stick to the rules of behaviorism lol

And if you cancel for any reason, she does have to have you sign, but in the box where her anecdotal notes are supposed to go it should say "cancelled session" or "child sick" or whatever they are instructed to write. I believe there is actually codes for the variety reasons.

They are supposed to do "make up" sessions, but if they are getting paid, there is obviously no incentive to do these make ups kwim ?

If you have more than one therapist from the same agency, they can do each other's make ups.

In addition, feel free to ask the agency for copies of their time sheets, especially if they cancel often. Make sure you are keeping track of the dates when no services were given....

Does anyone else have this problem?

Call the county representative it is a state mandate and they are our of compliance for not providing the service keep a log of the sessions (dates and duration) as well and you could even asks the therapists to initial. Hope things improve! :)