Missing a school period weekly for a therapy appointment?

[Anonymous]

Trying to get dc into therapy and given the lack of after school availability at many places, we're considering an appt during the school day, but it would mean missing a whole period a week (unfortunately the same class each week). Is this something that is allowed by MCPS? Obviously plan to discuss w the school counselor about this as well, but I can't find any info on any mcps website whether this is considered excused or unexcused.

Anyone btdt?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It is excused. My high schooler’s counselor (who is awesome) will even find a private room so my DC can do video therapy during school hours.

[Anonymous]

Therapy appointments are excused. Can you schedule it during electives or lunch? That might ease the burden on your student for missing class time.

[Anonymous]

What class? I'd have a different answer for math or a science with labs than I would for an elective or even history/english. Maybe a different answer for honors and AP vs regular class. Doesn't matter if it's excused or not, it matters more how it will impact the kid's stress level and time by missing

[Anonymous]

The absence be excused. However, your child may need to make up missed work. And even if they don’t have make up missed assignments, they will miss a considerable amount of instruction and may not grasp what they need in order to be successful in that or subsequent courses. Get a specialized tutor to help address those gaps.

[Anonymous]

This is really common

[Anonymous]

It sounds like a bad idea unless the class is PE or an easy elective. Will the kid do zoom therapy from school. I don’t think my kid would be comfortable doing that

[Anonymous]

Many students do take advantage of this option. There is some paperwork involved which your school counselor will give to you. It is always advised that you schedule the sessions, if possible, during the wellness (Advisory) period. This will make it easier for the student (lower their anxiety) since they will not need to catch up on missed instruction.

Please note that some MCPS schools are very crowded. Space is limited to finding those private locations where students may meet with a private counselor / therapist, so it is better to reach out as soon as possible to your school counselor.

Good luck. I wish you and your student all the best.

[Anonymous]

It’s not ideal, but we’ve done it before (DC and Fairfax counties). You can talk to the therapist and ask that they put you on the list for an after school appointment when one opens up.

And, since it will be a lot of missed school periods you’ll need to talk to the school.

[Anonymous]

Also depends on how essential the therapy is. My DC has at times has needed it so much that it scheduling the session would take priority over anything else. At other times I would have been comfortable waiting for an after school slot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not ideal, but we’ve done it before (DC and Fairfax counties). You can talk to the therapist and ask that they put you on the list for an after school appointment when one opens up.

And, since it will be a lot of missed school periods you’ll need to talk to the school.

??

When a kid needs therapy, they need therapy. Depending on the type, it can be very hard to get off the waitlist. This is unrelated but I am currently on a waitlist for ADHD evaluations, and it's been more than 6 months. If the only time they have is during the school day, you have to do what you have to do. For something this important, you attack it immediately because you never know what will happen.

OP -- I'd suggest trying to aim for lunchtime, advisory, or a class where your student is not only strong but where it isn't hard to catch up. Assuming the school is on a 5 day, 7 period schedule, missing ~45 minutes of, say, English for something this pertinent can easily be done. That's a high priority. And if there's a test or something, the student and teacher can make arrangements. Best of luck to your child.

[Anonymous]

My 15 yo has been doing it for the last year. We lucked out and got an 11 am slot so they just miss advisory and lunch. If that wasn’t possible I’d take what you can get (preferably during a non-core class) and ask to be put on a waitlist for a better time. The school has been completely supportive for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What class? I'd have a different answer for math or a science with labs than I would for an elective or even history/english. Maybe a different answer for honors and AP vs regular class. Doesn't matter if it's excused or not, it matters more how it will impact the kid's stress level and time by missing

+1

Depends on the class. If it’s math or physics or APUSH where the kid needs the classroom instruction and teacher interaction, it doesn’t matter if it is excused or not. The kid may fall behind and that may cause more stress and more anxiety.

My kid had this issue. Find another therapist. We had to change so we could get appointments after school. I know it’s easier said than done. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think we have advisory in MCPS? My oldest is in 12th grade and there is nothing but classes and lunch in high school unless you sign up for something in lieu of a class.

[Anonymous]

Not therapy but my kid has been out of school a ton the past few weeks as a medical appointment led to a referral, led to another appointment, etc. and school has been understanding.