1st post - need feedback

[Guest guest]

This is our first posting to the group and we're looking for

feedback as to if we're doing the right thing.

is 15yrs old, downs, autistic and is nonverbal. He's in

middle school in a moderate program.

For close to one year, we've had severe problems getting the school

to follow his IEP. It all revolves around speech. During this time,

we had learned after the fact (early spring '06) that the school

speech therapist left and was not replaced. Speech wasn't given for

aprox 1/2 the school year. Eventually they brought another

therapist over, but once she arrived, she cut his speech time down

from whats on the IEP (she didn't " have time " since she was required

to go between multiple schools/students) plus she didn't know any

sign language. I should mention that every

conversation/correspondence is documented with a paper trail.

In addition, the annual IEP was supposed to have taken place in the

Spring '06, but when we arrived for the meeting, the only person

there was the teacher. We had requested in writing certain people

(to discuss speech) be there and were informed they would. We put a

stay on the IEP and left. IEP has not been signed, we've been

informed numerous times it will be rebooked, but it hasn't and we've

been ignored now for months. Btw, his extended school year (that

includes speech) was xcel this summer by the district, but we were

not informed until the bus didn't show up.

We have not been able to hire a lawyer (husband is active duty Navy)

because we don't have the funds. We've tried every avenue possible,

spent countless hours each week trying to find anyone who will help

enforce the law. Endless excuses are offered, nothing more.

Last night we completed the papers to file an official complaint

with the state of Virginia. Although there is much frustration and

anger, from what we've seen according to the laws, there are two

direct violations. We don't know what else to do. Any

further suggestions?