Indifference to a Child

A school failed to provide a child with autism the proper speech therapy services. He suffered from apraxia, a neurological condition hindering his physical ability to move his mouth and tongue in order to form words.

Incredibly, when the family tried to work out an agreement with the school district to provide the needed services, a district representative said he preferred to “roll the dice” with a hearing before an Impartial Hearing Officer.

Mike Cuddy represented the boy in what turned out to be a four-day hearing focusing on the boy’s needs related to apraxia.

And the district official placed the wrong bet.

The hearing officer ordered a new individualized education program (IEP) adding speech services to address the boy’s oral-motor deficits and calling for the use of a recognized, systemic program to address his speech.

The IHO also ordered the IEP to include counseling and training for the parents.

And the boy finally received services appropriate to his needs.