So Tired of the Same Conversation

When Ashley first started school (age 2.5, 12 years ago), I told them she needed sign language support.

When they shut down all classrooms for children with hearing impairments and who sign (versus children with cochlear implants), I reiterated that Ashley needed sign language support.

When we began our path to due process in elementary school, I told them yet again that Ashley needed sign language support.

The consultant they hired to evaluate Ashley said she needed the support of a fluent signer. The consultant I hired to evaluate Ashley said she needed the support of a fluent signer.

When they hired a fluent signer to work with Ashley, the pay was so bad the signer left after one year. I told them they needed to find someone else.

When Ashley was transitioning to middle school, I told them it was even more important to have a fluent signer with her. At home, she was signing sentences, and I proved it to them by videotaping her.

For a while in middle school, they had a wonderful and fluent signer with Ashley. Ashley learned by leaps and bounds. Then, of course, they replaced that person with someone they are training in sign language.

Now, high school transition is looming, and the person being trained is still not signing anywhere near as much as Ashley.

The consultants the school district contracted to evaluate Ashley’s communication said during our meeting today that Ashley needs a fluent signer for the entire school day.

So, should I believe that this time the school district will listen and do what I have asked them to do every year for the last 12 years? Or do I just give up?

I must admit that there are many days when I just want to give up….