How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

This is more of an "etiquette/wording" question then anything. I need to address some issues with a therapist for my son.

Background:

Some of you know that DS get a lot of therapy sessions. We have 7 therapists coming every week. We have a PACKED schedule.

One of his therapist has been cancelling sessions, rescheduling them for the past 3 weeks. She only started about 2 months ago top!

She comes 2 times per week.

Week 1: told 1 week ahead she was cancelling 1 session. No problem
Week 2: her son is on vacation/Passover. Calls me for 15 minutes to discuss a make-up class. After 15 minutes, she kept telling me she did not know about babysitter, DH watching the kid... we ended up with "we will play it by ear" Next day calls me for 7 minutes to tell me she is coming. Everytime I have to hear about the details of why, what, where. I really don't care about that. I need to know if you are coming or not. I could do something more productive in that time spent on the phone. Makes up class on Saturday when DH is home. Tells him that she will have to reschedule the next Wednesday again because her DS is off school.
Week 3: It's Monday. She does not show up to her session. I check the voicemail. She said she was not coming because nobody can watch her son. OK!!!!! Call her and she said she told DH. Why would you leave me a message then if you told my DH? Really!!! Called DH to find out what is going on. He told she said nothing about Monday only Wednesday. Monday night she calls me back to make up the session. She has REARRANGED her work week (good for her to tell me the week of!!!). She was to schedule DS Wednesday. Now I got to laugh she rescheduled him on the actual time she has a session with him every WEEK. I think I am dealing with a complete flake or moron. She needs to come on Tuesday too. I told her we had lots of other therapists. Fine she is scheduled on Tuesday at 10:15am. 10:31am... get a call from her. She is late! Duh!!!! She came from another location this time. She got lost.. whatever! I am thinking how long will she keep me on the phone this time to explain why she is late. Then she said, she had to drop her son to YMCA.. ha ha ... that's the REAL reason. She had to backtrack because she took the wrong road. She shows up 25 minutes late.

Today she called me AGAIN (this woman has called me about 5 times at least to change things and never makes decisions on the phone).

She asked if she can come later. Her DS is on vacation (YES... I got it!!!!). I told her no. We have other therapists after her session.

At this point I have had it. I am really thinking of firing her and find another OT.

But do I say anything today to her?

This is the poorest planning I have ever seen. The other therapists have cancelled on me before but they give me 1 week notice (unless they are sick!). They all have kids.

I feel like she did not plan this thing at all.

The etiquette/wording Q: Should I tell her I feel she should have been planning the time of vacation much better? How should I word it? I mean it's not like she did not know about the vacation with her DS.

Would say anything since you know you are going to get rid of her?

What would you say?

Re: How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

I would absolutely fire her. That is ridiculous and unprofessional. I would tell her today that this isn't working out. I would probably even tell her that it's clear that there are many scheduling issues for her and you're sorry, but you need someone who can commit to the same times every, single week with no exceptions. Period. Good bye.

There are plenty of good, reliable therapists out there. Don't waste any more time on this one.

ETA -- I wouldn't tell her that she needs to plan better. I would just tell her that she clearly has some scheduling issues that do not mesh with your lifestyle and schedule, and you'll be finding someone new. Non-negotiable.

Message edited 4/15/2009 9:33:31 AM.

Re: How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

I would just say it's not working out, and as she knows, your son needs consistentcy. Then I would call the agency and get a replacement. That's unacceptable really unprofessional.

Re: How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

I agree with the above posters. How unprofessional. You just need to tell her that her constant tardiness and no-shows are not good for your son and that is why you are letting her go. I don't even think I would be too nice at this point. You've been nice enough!

Re: How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

I agree with Kara.

I would say your son need consistency and her constant cancelling & rescheduling doesn't work for you - especially since he has multiple therapist appointments.

Completely unprofessional. It was no surprise that her kids were off on a school break. It's one thing if her kid got sick once in awhile but if she wants a job, she needs to make arrangements. I made arrangements in advance to have my kids covered on their vacations, half days, etc. It's not that she has kids, it's that she has a lack of commitment to her clients & employer.

Re: How would you say it? "etiquette/wording" Q -- Long!

I would tell her that although you like her, her timing just isn't working with your DS schedule, and YOUR family really needs to keep to a schedule since there is so much going on, and that after this session her services are no longer needed.

I would not go into the whole "you need to be more scheduled" etc etc bit with her. Let her figure out on her own what she is doing wrong. Eventually she will realize.