The ethics of price gauging special needs families

[Anonymous]

I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

Exactly! Complaining about havign to pay for something you wish you didn't have to doesn't mean it's price gouging. I make my living serving SN kids, not because it's a way to get rich (it's not!) but because I believe in the work. I do seem some providers who I don't think should be charging for their services given their levels of competence. But I don't see anyone in this field trying to price gouge families. I

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious what you mean by price gouging? How much are you paying? I also find it absurd that people have no problem paying a hair dresser with no college weekly $250, yet they will balk at the price of my professional SLP services to help their child communicate with them when I have a masters degree and many, many years of clinical experience and I charge half that rate!

I think it stems from the weekly bills. DS sees a therapist that is $100/week. So that's $400/month. He's 15 now and life is much easier. But when he was young, I was paying an SLP, a therapist, and an OT each week. It's not that one provider is too much. It's that combined, with all the recommended services, it becomes cost and time prohibitive. I'm not paying my hairdresser $250/week.

This! That PP with a master's degree sounds clueless.

It's the relentless amount of therapy and how they can add up to hundreds of dollars a week with no end in sight.

Yes : when they are little, speech, OT. Then add weekly therapy and social skills group as they get older. Then add a therapist for each parent. The time and money for all these therapies can be staggering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

Our son had speech therapy from the time he was 2. He made a lot of initial progress learning nouns and some verbs.

After that his progress stalled in spite of all kids of speech therapy in school and private.

Then we went to a university with research professionals for a session wgen he was 7. The approach was radically different and elicited a lot more in language.

Most speech therapists aren't very well trained. The difference was stark.

So we dropped speech outside of school and used the therapy money for family travel and new activities. Everyone was happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

Wow your clients must LOVE you with that attitude.

I bet you get little results and are kinda useless, so yes people are bitter about paying you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

You lack the empathy and humility to work with SN families and should go find a more appropriate profession. I suggest something involving no people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

Wow your clients must LOVE you with that attitude.

I bet you get little results and are kinda useless, so yes people are bitter about paying you.

I get great results. But no I don't like working with people who don't appreciate me or understand what's realistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

You lack the empathy and humility to work with SN families and should go find a more appropriate profession. I suggest something involving no people.

If you think so little of special needs professionals, why hire them? Just skip it and do everyone a favor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

Wow your clients must LOVE you with that attitude.

I bet you get little results and are kinda useless, so yes people are bitter about paying you.

I get great results. But no I don't like working with people who don't appreciate me or understand what's realistic.

If you got great results, you would not be posting this drivel. You must be a millennial.

[Anonymous]

It's hard to know what will work, and what won't, until you try it. And, you have to keep trying, esp when the kids are little. I think the trick is to keep updated on progress, and if after a couple months there is none, move along to something else. What works for your kid might not work for mine and what works for mine might not work for yours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say - I see both sides here. Our DS is now in his 20s so I have the benefit of hindsight. For years we spent all our money on speech and OT (2-3 times per week, and I did all the "homework" with him as well so was fully compliant) with very little demonstrable progress. The only thing that helped was ABA. We spent money we didn't have (we were fortunate enough to get help from my parents) because we were desperate to try everything that could possibly help him. In hindsight, speech and OT were wastes of money. We have seen over five SLPs, all of whom came highly recommended, and none was even remotely helpful. SN parents often operate out of fear -- the fear of inaction. So we spend and spend and spend with no guarantee whatsoever that any of it is going to make a difference. It can become extremely demoralizing. So it isn't that we don't value professionals' time, but there often isn't a clear roadmap of the benefits. When you pay for a vacation, you get the vacation. When you pay to get your nails done, you get your nails done. When you pay for endless therapies, you don't really know what the payoff will be. So you keep doing it out of desperation and it begins to feel like gaugery after years on end.

I totally understand and agree. There are absolutely times where a vacation will do a kid and family 10x more good than therapies. There are times that therapy is a waste of money.

Price gouging, though, is an unethical overcharging of people with no choice but to pay inflated prices. It is a really hurtful thing to charge professionals of doing. The lack of clarity and exhaustion and relentless cost is real and terrible. But let’s identify that as the problem, rather than calling the providers price gougers (unless they truly are - I’m sure they exist - I just haven’t seen anyone mention true price gauging).

But what PP is saying, in part, is that SN parents have no choice to pay for these things because they are drilled into them that this is what they have to do. And if you add to that that in any job there are some people who charge more than they are worth.

Then don't do it. Or do it. I don't care. Just don't hire me and then dispute the legit bills just because you're bitter about needing to pay for my services.

Wow your clients must LOVE you with that attitude.

I bet you get little results and are kinda useless, so yes people are bitter about paying you.

I get great results. But no I don't like working with people who don't appreciate me or understand what's realistic.

If you got great results, you would not be posting this drivel. You must be a millennial.

Wrong. Sorry to see more belittling of professionals by you. If I get treated this way by a parent, I will find a way to stop working with your family. Like I can't accommodate your request for a schedule change. I wonder if this is happening to you a lot PP. Try to do better.

[Anonymous]

I am a tutor with an SN kid of my own. I am quite confident that my services are on par and often go an extra mile. That said, I sometimes encounter parents who have unrealistic expectations, cancel to often thus undermining effectiveness of tutoring or expect me to cut my rates for them. (Once I had a parent tell me they couldn't pay me for work I had done because they had to buy their student a car. This was at a time when neither of my HS kids had a car and my own was a beater.)

I don't negotiate fees. I make a living doing this. I know support services are expensive because I have paid them for my own SN child. TBH, IME, the support services that have been ineffective have largely been the ones the school has offered - I got what I paid for, I guess.

IME, the real problem with special need support services is that there are very few scientifically validated instructional approaches. We would never accept this in medicine, and I don't know why we accept this in special education. Another problem is, frankly, the state should be paying a lot more to support people with special needs families and their families because - more money and better access to effective instruction, health care, and caregiving (not just during school hours), respite care and adult independent living support and job training, placement and ongoing employment support. Parents with special needs kids shouldn't be forced to stay home and become caregivers out of necessity.

The more independence and participation that can be fostered the better from a public policy perspective.