CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) – Speaking out Friday about the bullying lawsuit she has filed against Leander ISD , Leah Patrick told the story of her son, Taylor. At age 20, he still has nightmares about the bullies he faced since second grade.

“He would always get picked on starting in elementary, little bits here and there,” Patrick said.

The suit said Taylor, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, was suicidal in middle school because of severe bullying, eventually hospitalized.

“You know something’s been terribly done to your child and you’re trying to do the right thing,” Patrick said.

Patrick said the district did not act upon a string of cases of bullying that eventually ended in an assault on campus when Taylor was in high school. She is seeking out-of-pocket expenses relating to the bullying and attorney fees.

The district has not yet spoken about the lawsuit. However, it did say in a statement:

“LISD takes every report of bullying seriously and we have clear and in-depth processes in place to investigate every report of bullying, whether it is reported by a student, a parent or a staff member. There are federal guidelines that are very specific regarding bullying, and even though the recent bullying bill passed in Texas has not gone into effect, the LISD has put formal processes in place last year (2010-2011) that enhance the thorough trainings and programs that we already had in place . We’ve put an emphasis on creating programs for our students that focus on acceptance and tolerance. In fact several of our campuses have earned the No Place for Hate distinction. Our C2 (C-Squared) student-run program is a perfect example of students taking their social growth to the next level. Leander High School students created a grassroots club that is committed to creating a safe school environment and a culture of kindness on their campus. This successful model has been taken to other campuses by other students and has even grown to other districts.”

Taylor’s mother said she hopes the suit helps stop bullies from attacking other students.

“He called it surviving high school,” Patrick said. “Surviving school. Kids shouldn’t have to survive school.”

In the last legislative session, Texas lawmakers ramped up efforts to fight bullying in schools. Under a new law, school districts must adopt policies to curb the problem. Victims can ask for and receive a transfer to another school, and confirmed bullies will be transferred to another classroom or school, as well.