Special Education Costs

With a contracting economy, legislators and school districts look much more carefully at special education services. There has always been an underlying issue that children with special needs "really do not need all those therapeutic services." Recently the Board of Regents voted to retract the requirement mandating intensive speech therapy services for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Interestingly enough, the change in services was described as "mandate relief" which translates into reduced services for children with autism spectrum disorders. For parents who want to challenge their school districts when services are denied or reduced the process involves heavy legal expenses. Parents must also be prepared for an emotionally exhausting battle with a school district that can go on for months and even years. How many parents have the time and the financial resouces to fight with a school district?