Autistic Spectrum Disorder

DEFINITION: One who has a disability reflected in severe disorders of communication, behavior, socialization, and academic skills, and whose disability was evident in the early developmental stages of childhood. The child with autism appears to suffer primarily from a pervasive impairment of cognitive and perceptual functioning, the consequences of which are manifested by limited ability to understand, communicate, learn and participate in social relationships.

REFERRAL: A student suspected of having Autism or has a medical diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum disorder may be referred to the school’s Child Study Team (CST) by the teacher, parents, or anyone else familiar with the student’s educational needs. The CST reviews all existing educational and medical records. The student’s academic, social, and communicative performances are described to the team as well as parent’s input. Interventions and accommodations are discussed and implemented as pre-referral activities. Ultimately all data collected is reviewed by the CST and consensus is reached as to whether formal evaluation is needed and if so what type. A referral packet is submitted to the District Exceptional Student Education department so that it may be reviewed for state and federal compliance and distributed to the appropriate evaluator.

ELIGIBILITY: To meet eligibility criteria, there must be evidence of all of the following:

• An uneven developmental profile across the domains of language, social interaction, adaptive behavior, and/or cognitive skills
   
• Impairment in social interaction evidenced by delayed, absent, or atypical ability to relate to people or the environment
   
• Impairment in verbal and/or nonverbal language or social communication skills
   
• Restricted repetitive and/or stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, or activities

SUPPORT SERVICES: Other services available to these students may include but are not limited to: 1. Occupational Therapy (eligibility criteria must be met)

1. Physical Therapy (eligibility criteria must be met)
2. Speech and Language Therapy (eligibility criteria must be met)
3. Assistive Technology
4. Behavioral Services
5. Extended School Year Services
6. Transition (school to work services)

CURRICULUM: The curriculum for each student is determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team and is implemented with the assumption of access to the general education curriculum (Sunshine State Standards) with appropriate accommodations. The Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma provide curriculum

CARD Chapter of the Treasure Coast newsletters and training calendar link  http://www.coe.fau.edu/CARD

Web Courses Free for Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.  On-line web courses for parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders available free of charge. Make sure to register on the parents' page http://www.webed.com/parents/, and not the regular page so that you can access the courses for free.

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Inc. is an organization established by professional football player Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie Flutie, in the name of their son, as their life-long commitment to make a difference in the lives of children with autism and their families.  WebED works in partnership with DFJ Foundation to develop and maintain a curriculum surrounding the subject of autism. National experts, educators, and leaders in the field of autism are providing content for these WebED courses.  Contributing WebED authors in this series include:  Dr. Gary Heffner, Carolyn A. Woodman, Catherine Giles Stecher, Abby Ward Collins and Sibley J. Collins. Each time a course is taken by an educator or administrator, a royalty will be donated to the Doug Flutie, Jr.  Foundation for Autism, Inc. Parents of children with autism may register and take courses in this subject area at no cost, but will not receive certificates of completion for this coursework.  These courses are available at no cost to parents of children with autism.  Visit http://www.webed.com/registration/autism.asp to register for the series.