Our children with special needs at Miami-Dade County Public Schools are significantly impacted by delays in the approval process for behavioral therapists (RBTs and BCBAs) and by the inconsistent implementation of their therapy hour requirements. Without timely approvals and adherence to the specific therapy hours recommended by their medical teams, these students face disruptions in their therapeutic routines, which adversely affects their academic performance and emotional well-being. The delay in providing these essential services creates a challenging environment for both students and their families, who rely on these supports to ensure their children’s success in school.

If the current issues persist, our children will continue to experience interruptions in their critical therapy sessions, leading to delays in their academic and emotional development. This situation not only hampers their ability to thrive in the classroom but also constitutes a violation of their legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws mandate that students with disabilities receive the necessary accommodations to access and benefit from educational programs. Continued delays and non-compliance with medical recommendations will undermine our children’s progress and may have long-term consequences on their educational outcomes and overall quality of life.

Immediate action is crucial to rectify these issues and ensure that our children receive the necessary support as soon as possible. The start of the school year has already come and gone, and without prompt intervention, our children will face an inadequate transition back into their school, further disrupting their routines and progress. The legal requirements under the ADA and Section 504 emphasize the urgency of providing appropriate accommodations and support services without delay. We urge you to address these concerns promptly to avoid further negative impacts on our children and to fulfill the school’s legal obligations.

Requests:

To address these critical issues, we respectfully demand the following actions:

Expedited Process for RBT & BCBA Approvals:
  - Implement a streamlined approval process for behavioral therapists.
  - Ensure all necessary approvals are completed before the start of the school year.
  - Start the review process well before the school year begins to avoid delays.

Adherence to Medical Recommendations:
  - Fully comply with the therapy hour requirements specified in each child’s individual medical evaluations.
  - Integrate each child’s unique therapy needs into their daily school schedule to ensure they receive the appropriate support.

We appreciate your immediate attention to these matters and are available for any further discussions or meetings as needed to resolve these issues effectively.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to supporting all students.

Sincerely,

Parents of ASD Students