Date: ______________________

Senator _________________
________________________
(street address)
________________________
(city, state, zip)

RE: Public school speech therapists, caseload sizes

Dear Senator ___________________________;

My child, _______________________, has a condition described as childhood apraxia of speech, which is a severe speech disability that, with appropriate speech therapy, has a very good outlook. Typically a child with apraxia must receive intensive speech therapy in order to learn to talk so that others may understand him. Intensive often means three times per week, for a half hour to an hour per session, for several years.

Unfortunately, because the state of _______________________ has mandated that there be a ___-student caseload maximum for speech therapists in the public schools (despite the American Speech Language Hearing Association's recommendation that caseloads not exceed forty students), I have had a difficult time advocating for appropriate speech therapy for my child. [Give two examples of the difficulties you've experienced.]

I would like to see this legislation amended to reflect a more realistic caseload maximum. Please respond to my letter with your thoughts. Feel free to contact me for more information.

Sincerely,

___________________

___________________
___________________

cc:
teacher's union: ___________________________________
governor: _______________________________________
director of state education agency: ____________________
state's speech hearing association director: _______________

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