My six year old daughter Kylan is not getting the special education she needs to live a healthy, normal life. Kylan has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and dyspraxia that requires specialty programs for her to be successful academically. The Anne Arundel County, Maryland school system has ignored the recommendations of experts and has refused to provide these services. We are asking the Anne Arundel schools system to act in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and provide Kylan a public education that meets her needs.

Kylan has dyspraxia and Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a rare genetic disorder with just over 1000 people diagnosed worldwide. If not treated appropriately, there is a gradual decline in the ability to learn and function independently. Sufferers who don’t get early intervention often can’t do things like drive a car, go to college, or hold down a job. We wanted to ensure Kylan never faced such a harsh reality, and crafted an education and therapeutic plan with her medical experts.

In 1990, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requiring public schools meet the special education needs of children. IDEA was passed to protect children like Kylan and I felt confident our education and therapeutic plan would be adopted by the Anne Arundel school system. Unfortunately, school officials demonstrated little understanding about dyspraxia and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. They said Kylan exhibited nothing in the classroom indicating the presence of a disability. We tried to work with the school’s team by bringing in educational and genetic experts in the field. The expert advice was disregarded and we found ourselves paying out of pocket for services the school should be providing. In 2014, we spent over $20,000 dollars getting Kylan the help she needed.  

We soon discovered this was not just happening to our family. In 2014, the Department of Education found Maryland special needs programs no longer met federal requirements. Maryland was not identifying special needs students in a timely manner or producing the educational outcomes expected with their programs. We fought even harder knowing so many families were being left behind. The school district started to provide limited services, but nowhere close to what Kylan’s medical team prescribed for a successful outcome.

It is time Anne Arundel and Maryland follow the law. Please join us in asking the Anne Arundel County school system to act in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and provide Kylan a public education and specialty services that meets all her special education needs.

We also have an account at GoFundMe.com/HelpKylan if you would like to donate toward her cause!.  Thank you