Obligation to reschedule therapies for holidays?

[Anonymous]

When your child will miss a therapy appointment due to a holiday, how much obligation do you feel to reschedule? We will miss some around Thanksgiving and Christmas because the practice closes. I'd prefer not to reschedule (we have a tight schedule already, not to mention having holiday things going on). Not knowing how it works, I assume that the OT and ST will lose $ if we don't reschedule make-ups so I feel bad about that. What do others do?

[Anonymous]

First of all, let go of any guilt! As long as you provide sufficient notice, the therapists have the opportunity to schedule someone into your slot (just for the day your off, not permanently) or to decide if they, themselves want to take time off.

Second, like you, our schedule is pretty tight and I don't do make up sessions. Missing a weekly appointment or a couple of appointments isn't going to make that much of a difference if you are usually good about therapy. I know you might feel compelled not to let anything slip at any time but (this coming from someone who has 2 SN kids and at least 3 appts each week) if your consistent with therapy at home and don't typically miss sessions with your therapist, you and your DC will be fine. Our therapists have been just fine with me saying we can't make up sessions.

[Anonymous]

I'm a therapist. If a session is cancelled because I cancelled it (e.g. by closing for the holidays) I would offer you times to reschedule as a courtesy, but I wouldn't expect you to make one. If you cancel a session, other than a sick child, then I'd appreciate it if you'd think about a make up, but unless you do it regularly it's not a big deal. If you cancel all the time, then I'm going to want someone who can regularly take that slot.

[Anonymous]

If you're missing because the practice is closed you have no obligation to reschedule.

[Anonymous]

I don't reschedule if the practice was closed for a holiday.