[fiefer87]

I would get an emergency IEP meeting called and go in with an advocate to the commitee. If he has saignificant delays that require more speech therapy than the present therapist can alot, it IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to find a therapist that can give him all the time he needs. talk to his teacher, find out if his speech are group or individual. Most CPSE committees cave when you come in with an advocate. They are trying to bully you into agreeing with not enough services because they don't want to have to pay another speech therapist to devote the time your son needs. Also, I would seriously consider having adaptive communication devices added to his IEP. If he is acting out in frustration because he can't communicate, he needs an alternate method of communication. The first one that comes to mind is PECS, the picture exchange communication system (I believe that's what it is, but if you google picture exchange systems, you'll find it), but there are also many other alternatives there. These also help develop speech as in the therapist should repeat all words and encourage him to repeat them back. It definately sounds like he should be easily getting 4-5 sessions a week for speech.

Go through all the evaluations and the recommendations from the speech therapist after his last eval. If its recommended that he receive 4-5 sessions a week, I would make sure they do it. If need be, I would call the school board, file a complaint, and take it to mediation. It really sucks, but if they will not provide the services your son needs, you may have to sue the school district for them. Unfortunately it does happen where parents have to sue the district for the services their children need. But first, go in with an advocate, that will be a big first step. If you call your local developmental disabilities center, they can get you in touch with an advocate to help fight for the services your son needs. Then call for an emergency meeting to get his services uped, even if they have to hire someone for it (chances are if he's not getting enough services, other kids aren't but they just don't want to hire another therapist), and get adaptive communication devices put in his IEP!!!!

I am very sorry that this is happening. I just hate when school districts do this, and unfortunately, sometimes you have to fight tooth and nail to get all the services your son needs. I hope this helps, or at least gives you a starting place. Please keep us posted and let us know if there's anything else we can do.