If you’re reading this, you’ve probably had the thought:
“My child’s services aren’t enough… but I don’t want to sound accusatory.”
Good instinct. Blame usually creates defensiveness.
But staying quiet creates something worse: stagnation.
The sweet spot is this:
Ask for increased service minutes using needs + data + a trial plan.
Not frustration. Not “you’re not doing your job.” Just a clear case that the current level of support is not matching the current level of need.
This article gives you the exact structure and scripts.
What “increased service minutes” really means
When parents say “more minutes,” they often mean one of these four things:
More minutes per session
Example: 30 minutes → 45 minutesMore sessions per week
Example: 1x/week → 2x/weekMore intensity
Example: smaller group, 1:1, more explicit instruction, more practice opportunitiesMore support around the service
Example: provider consult to staff, push-in support during the hardest block, a carryover plan
A smart request often combines minutes OR frequency with a clear measurement plan.
Why teams hesitate (so you can avoid the landmines)
Teams may resist increased minutes because:
they feel accused (“we’re not doing enough”)
they’re worried about staffing
they don’t have clear progress data
they think the current plan should work “if we give it time”
So you win by making your request easy to say yes to:
✅ “Here’s the barrier.”
✅ “Here’s the impact.”
✅ “Here’s the proposed trial.”
✅ “Here’s how we’ll measure it.”
✅ “Here’s when we’ll review and decide.”
That’s not emotional. That’s leadership.
The 4-part framework that works every time
Use this structure in your email or meeting:
1) Name the barrier (skill/need)
What is limiting access right now?
reading fluency
written expression output
regulation/anxiety
speech-language comprehension
fine-motor fatigue
2) Show impact (real-life school consequences)
Tie it to school access:
work completion
grades
participation
behavior/stamina
missing instruction due to shutdowns or leaving class
3) Offer a solution (minutes/frequency/intensity trial)
Make it a trial, not a demand:
“Could we trial increased minutes for 4–6 weeks?”
4) Set a review date (data + decision point)
This is your “no-drama accountability”:
baseline/current
measure
frequency of data collection
review date
If the team agrees to a review date, you’ve already improved your odds dramatically.
What to bring as “data” (even if you don’t have fancy charts)
You can use:
baseline/current on IEP goals
progress report snapshots
work samples (before/after support)
frequency counts (e.g., incomplete work 4/5 days)
teacher notes (time on task, independence)
parent observations (brief + dated)
You’re not trying to build a court case.
You’re giving the team enough to justify a change.
Copy/Paste Email Script (Minutes/Intensity Trial)
Subject: Request to review service minutes/intensity for [Student Name]
Hi [Case Manager/Team],
Thank you for your support of [Student Name]. I’d like to review whether the current service minutes/intensity are sufficient for [him/her/them] to make meaningful progress on the IEP goals.
Barrier + impact:
Barrier: [skill/need—e.g., reading fluency, written expression, regulation, speech/language]
Impact: [work completion / grades / behavior / stamina / participation]
Recent examples/data: [1–2 brief bullets, or baseline/current]
Request:
Could we consider a time-limited trial of increased support for [service area], such as:
[Option A: increase minutes] OR
[Option B: increase frequency/intensity]
Measurement + review:
Can we agree on what data we’ll review (measure + frequency) and set a review date in [4–6 weeks] to decide whether to continue/adjust?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Why this works
It doesn’t accuse anyone.
It treats the team like partners.
And it still creates forward motion.
Here are examples you can swap into your email:
Speech-language
30 min 1x/week → 30 min 2x/week
add classroom consult for carryover
temporary smaller group or 1:1 for specific skill
Reading intervention / specialized instruction
add one additional session/week during the hardest block
increase minutes during the highest-value instruction time
shift to more explicit instruction + controlled practice
OT
increase frequency during handwriting-heavy periods
add a consult plan for classroom accommodations + tools
increase frequency during transition periods (start of year, after breaks)
add a regulation plan with brief, scheduled check-ins
What if they say: “They’re making progress.”
Awesome—then you’re not asking for “more.” You’re asking for enough.
Copy/paste reply:
That’s good to hear—thank you. Could you share baseline/current levels and the data trend? If progress is slow or inconsistent, could we trial increased intensity/minutes for 4–6 weeks and review results on a set date?
This keeps it objective: show the trend → match support to need.
What if they say: “We don’t have staffing.”
This is common. Don’t fight it emotionally—redirect to documentation and options.
Copy/paste reply:
I understand staffing constraints are real. Can we document what is available now, choose the best-fit option as a short trial, and set a review date based on data? Even a small change can help if we measure and adjust.
You’re saying: “Let’s solve what we can solve.”
What if they refuse to increase services?
If the team refuses, your next move is calm documentation:
Copy/paste:
Thank you for clarifying. Please provide Prior Written Notice documenting the refusal to change services and the data used for that decision.
That’s not a threat. It’s good process.
The meeting line that flips the tone instantly
If you want one sentence to memorize:
“I’m not asking for blame. I’m asking for the right intensity of support based on the current needs and data.”
Say that early. It disarms defensiveness.
After the meeting: send a 4-bullet recap
This prevents “misunderstandings.”
Copy/paste recap email:
Thanks for meeting today. Here’s my understanding of our plan for [Student Name]:
Support change: [minutes/frequency/intensity]
Data measure: [what will be measured]
Frequency: [how often data is collected]
Review date: [date]
Please let me know if I missed anything. Thank you.
Free 1-page PDF (download)
Here’s the matching 1-page script + framework (same clean style as your other downloads):
