Special Ed Program vs SLP

Am I venting? A little. Do I need advice? Definitely.

I’m a CF with experience in three medical practicums, and currently, I’m finishing up my CF year in a school setting. I’m learning and growing every day as a school-based speech therapist, and my special education team is also relatively new—collectively, we have less than two years of experience, so we’re navigating this journey together.

What’s really frustrating me is the constant pushback I face during IEP meetings when I recommend dismissing students from services. This happens when their communication disorder (whether it’s articulation, fluency, language, social, etc.) no longer impacts their academic or social functioning, or when re-evaluation results show skills within average ranges.

I never challenge the team’s decisions when they feel a student no longer qualifies for special education services, yet my decisions are constantly questioned. The most challenging situations are when parents oppose dismissal, but they don’t voice their concerns directly to me. The students I’ve dismissed have met all state and district criteria for discharge.

I’m supposed to be the communication expert, but it feels like I’m not being trusted to do my job (which I know is a struggle many SLPs face). Should I start printing out all the guidelines and reviewing them during eligibility meetings? Should I set up a meeting with the team to express how I’m feeling? It’s tough because whenever I advocate for myself, someone brings up my CF supervisor. There have been conflicts between her and the special education team because she’s very strict about following policies and procedures for my caseload, and I sense that it frustrates them when she advocates for students, myself, our services as SLPs, and as the special education team.

Sending hugs to all my fellow SLPs on the struggle bus. 💌