Goshen, NY: (Nov-20-07) Parents of six young children with autism and speech delays brought a class action lawsuit against Orange County, alleging that the county provided inadequate services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. The lawsuit addressed two county policies that resulted in children getting fewer therapy hours than they needed. According to the lawsuit, the county short changed children in its early intervention and preschool special education programs. Those programs are for children under age 5 with development disabilities.
In a settlement reached, both parties agreed to resolve the lawsuit, though the terms of the deal were not disclosed. The attorney for the parents stated that the settlement addresses the two county policies and one broad policy issue addressed is the county's decision to contract only with therapists who could take five or more cases. Parents contend that new threshold caused a provider shortage and left children without therapy. [
