We're in Ca. It's a constant battle. My daughter was diagnosed high functioning last Fall at age 11. Coming in late to the game the school will do everything they can to avoid providing learning plans and especially services. Grades were all good so they wanted to brush it all under the carpet. They only care about how her performance impacts the school, not what she needs. I was so very,very nice to them and got nowhere. Im not as nice now! I think I may engage an advocate who knows the ropes better than I do. That's an option if you can't afford a lawyer.

CBP, thank you for your response! They have refused to evaluate my child saying that they "didn't want to open that can of worms". We had to pay an outside psychologist and doctor in order to get her tested, and they told us she should have been diagnosed with ASD a while ago. I will definitely check that book out.

I am also in FL and found it very challenging to get the schools to do evaluations. Had independent evaluations done and received diagnosis but was advised by school that as long as child is "academically okay" they do not care about diagnosis or any related issues. When I mentioned issues that require addressing I was advised they "try to avoid doing IEP's" and that we would need to go through RTI process. Someone else advised this is not true so I made written request to ESE Director for evaluations stating I understand they have 60 school days to complete them. Received a call the next week asking which evaluations I wanted done. I have since spelled out exactly what I request and that I want reports on results. We will see how it goes but this changed the tone dramatically so far. Good luck!

Have you talked to people about Iep/ child find

I do not know how it is in your state but in most states once you make the request for a meeting to comply. Even if you do not have one or cannot afford one you need to talk to the director of special education in your school district and tell them that if they do not comply with the thirty day request then you will have your lawyer contact them. You will need to do this in writing and you want to include copies to the school principle and the superintendent of schools as well. Make sure that you notate the can of worms comment that was said to you and mention who said it. That is unprofessional talk no matter what the circumstance. Tell them your lawyer took great of fence to that statement.

Again even if you really can't get a lawyer the threat alone generally works. When you do get your meeting bring your results from the testing with you, and while you are waiting for the meeting contact all of your child's Dr's and have them agree with the findings in writing and bring that as well. Most Dr's will not have a problem doing this. Also you may want to contact ant of your state agencies like departments of disability services and ask for assistance there as well, we got ours to pay for an advocate.

Most importantly do not give up and do not back down you have to make sure they know that you are serious and you will not stop until you get what you need. Being nice is over it is time to take the gloves off.