1. (a)

   1. (1) The criteria for dismissal from speech or language therapy services address those circumstances that result in the termination of speech/language services, either permanently or for some specified time period, provided to a student by the speech-language pathologist.
   2. (2) Many speech-language pathologists subscribe to the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

   3. (3) Two (2) rules of ethics that should be taken into account when contemplating the initiation or continuation of interventions include:

      1. (A) Individuals shall evaluate the effectiveness of services rendered and of products dispensed and shall provide services or dispense products only when benefit can reasonably be expected; and
      2. (B)

2. (i) Individuals shall not guarantee the results of any treatment or procedure, directly or by implication.

   1. (ii) However, they may make a reasonable statement of prognosis.

3. (b)

   1. (1) It is important for the speech-language pathologist to use sound professional judgment and competency in recommending that services are no longer warranted.
   2. (2) In some instances, intervention can be redirected through a resource room, a self-contained classroom, community-based instruction, or the regular classroom to enhance overall communicative effectiveness and maintenance of acquired skills.

   3. (3) The IEP team may also make provisions to monitor progress of a student dismissed from speech/language therapy services.

      1. (c)
   4. (1) Prior to recommending dismissal from speech/language services, the IEP team should review the factors to consider in dismissal.

   5. (2) Justification for dismissal from speech/language services should be:

      1. (A) Determined using the criteria for dismissal from speech or language therapy services; and
      2. (B) Documented in narrative form on the conference decision form used for dismissal purposes.

   6. (3) When dismissal is based on more than one (1) criterion, all applicable criteria should be noted on the decision form.

      1. (d)
   7. (1) Even if speech/language therapy services are discontinued, a student can be re-referred at a later date until he or she has successfully completed an educational program or he or she reaches age twenty-one (21).
   8. (2) If a student is re-referred, the referral committee should compare the reason or reasons for referral with information on the previous termination of speech/language therapy services provided to the student.
   9. (3) The referral committee must then determine on an individual student basis the appropriate course of action to be taken.

   10. (4) This may result in:

       1. (A) Reevaluation of the student;
       2. (B) A reinstatement of speech/language therapy services; or
       3. (C) A decision that no further consideration for speech/language therapy services is necessary.

Codification Notes: “IEP” means individualized education program.