Once a child is diagnosed with autism, families have many questions and concerns. One of the major dilemmas is determining how a child with autism will be educated. Each child is different with unique qualities; the education of each child with autism is determined by their needs and strengths.
Autism is considered to be a spectrum disorder. It is a disorder characterized by symptoms that include repetitive behaviors or interests, deficits in social interaction and deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication. Furthermore, children with autism often have unusual responses to sensory stimulation. Children with autism may also display symptoms that include an inability to form relationships, delay in the development of speech, lack of imagination, repeated patterns of activities, extreme aloofness and insistence on consistency in routines and isolated areas of strong ability.
Research has determined that early intervention is crucial for children with autism. Early interventions include services from speech therapists, occupational therapists, adapted physical education, applied behavior analysis, social skills training and other therapies. Some of the services are provided through the local school district; however, many families choose to hire private therapists and aides.
Children with autism are eligible for special education services under the federal law once they turn three years old. The services include children who are in both general education and special education classes. Some parents keep their children in a general education class for their education with support services being provided for specialized needs. Many children with autism are educated in a special education class. Special education classes are designed specifically for students with disabilities and are taught by a special education teacher. A child can also be serviced by a resource specialist who is a special education teacher who either goes into a general education class or pulls students with disabilities out of the general education class. The related services that are available include school psychologists, school nurses, speech specialists, physical/occupational therapists and behavioral therapists. Other special education services available are community-based training for the older child and summer school for many special day class students. Services vary according to the child's needs. A child with autism may have difficulty with communication and may need services specifically focusing on speech and language development. A child with Asperger's disorder which is on the autism spectrum may have average or above average intelligence but may still be in need of services.
Services required for a child with autism will most likely change over time. The most important thing a family can do once a diagnosis of autism is determined, is to seek support and services. Recent reports reveal one of every 166 children is diagnosed with autism. Fortunately, the exposure of the topic is providing extensive and exciting research and hope!
http://www.newsforautism.com/pages/Home.html
About the Author: Theresa McFarland, M.A. has over 20 years of experience providing services to children and adults who have disabilities including autism. For up to date news on topics related to autism, please visit: http://www.newsforautism.com/pages/Home.html
"Your Online Magazine for Autism Related Issues!"
About the Author:Theresa McFarland, M.A. has over 20 years of education and experience providing services to children and adults who have disabilities including autism. Throughout her career, she has provided support to families through educational interventions, workshops and parent support groups. She has extensive training in research based interventions including discrete trial training, TEACCH, behavior modification, music therapy, social skills training and functional academics. Ms. McFarland has advocated for many children and will continue to provide support to families and individuals who live with disabilities. For up to date news on topics related to autism, please visit
http://www.newsforautism.com/pages/Home.html
Related Articles
Educational Evaluation of Student With Autism
By: Theresa McFarland | 12/11/2007 | Learning Disabilities
All students in special education are required by law to have a complete evaluation every three years to determine eligibility for special education services. The following case study is about a student named "Adam". Adam is seven years old and has autism. He is in a Special Day Class setting in a public school. The case study includes details of Adam's three-year educational evaluation.
Educational Evaluation For Special Education Student With Autism
By: Theresa McFarland | 28/11/2007 | Education
All students in special education are required by law to have a complete evaluation every three years to determine eligibility for special education services. The following case study is about a student named "Adam". Adam is seven years old and has autism. He is in a Special Day Class setting...
Struggling Readers: The Struggles
By: Peter Waycik | 11/05/2006 | Advertising
Struggling readers have a number of barriers to their success that can be overcome if they are properly understood and addressed.
Parents Feel Relief When Kids Consolidate Student Loans
By: Freelance Writer | 14/12/2006 | Finance
When students or parents decide to consolidate student loans, it can take much of the financial burden off of the parents. The college years are costly and lengthy, but supportive parents do what they can to help their kids make it through and graduate. This often involves taking out loans...
Driving Change Through Increased Utilisation of Ict - Thailand
By: Daniel Jowssey | 07/01/2008 | Communication
Information Technology
I'm not the PM's puppet, new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) minister Surapong swears. The Nation, October 11, 2002. ""Surapong Suebwonglee, head of the new Information and Communications Techn- ology Ministry, said yesterday he is not a rubber stamp for the premier and that he's convinced he can revolutionise the national ICT system to improve the country's competitiveness. ...""
Home Loans - Online Services And Resources To Help You
By: Dean Shainin | 10/10/2005 | Finance
Interest rates on home loans are at the lowest they've been in many years. Now is a great time to take advantage of home loan financial services and resources available online.
6 Things How Super Parents Raise And Unleash Smart, Healthy, Happy Baby Genius
By: Submitted By Steven Yap | 01/02/2008 | Parenting
Here are six key concepts which can make a substantial impact on how you interact with your child from the earliest moments of life.
Concept #1. Start Early
The infant brain develops rapidly from the earliest moments of life. Learning can and does begin as early as prenatal-while the child is still...
Looking To Work From Home? Cash in on the Boom in the Medical Billing Industry Today
By: David Dunlap | 21/06/2006 | Home Business
For many people there would be nothing better than to be able to tell the boss where to stick the old job, and go out and try something completely new...maybe even something that you can do from home. If this sounds like you to a tee, then at home medical billing might be something that you should consider.
Latest Learning Disabilities Articles
“not Now” Doesn’t Mean “never”- Parent Expectations in the Context of Child Development
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed. | 22/07/2008
Parenting a child with autism and working toward remediation often requires walking a fine line between having expectations, and knowing when the child just isn’t ready for the next step.
The Limits of Labels: Evaluation Results That Really Matter
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed. | 17/06/2008
If your child has been recently evaluated for behavior or learning problems, his difficulties may have been given a name or ‘label’. But, is the label the most important part of the evaluation?
Valuing Others: Reflections on an Incident in a Kindergarten Classroom
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed. | 03/06/2008
A teacher in Florida asked her students to judge an autistic classmate. The news has mostly focused on the autistic child, but what about the class? What we teach our children about others, affects how they value themselves.
So You are Going to a New School
By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed. | 20/05/2008
Is your child’s anxiety caused by transitioning to a summer routine or his fear of attending a new school in the fall? Here are a few simple strategies to use when assisting a child with a school building change.
Special Education: 6 Factors to Consider When Advocating for Extended School Year Services
By: JoAnn Collins | 15/05/2008
This article will discuss 6 factors that you should keep in mind, when advocating for extended school year services for your child with a disability. By knowing these 6 factors you will better be able to fight for this important service for your child.
Building Competence Through Guided Participation
By: Michelle Vanderheide, BSW | 05/05/2008
All those “simple” tasks we perform each day were difficult when we were children. Help your child build competence by watching for signs of stress and following these guidelines.
Finding Peace
By: Nicole Beurkens, M.Ed. | 23/04/2008
Is it possible to appreciate the process of raising your child, and be at peace with it, despite all the noise, trouble, and hard work? The author asks this often unspoken question and offers some advice for finding peace.
Springtime Planning for Transitions
By: Courtney Kowalczyk, M.Ed. | 20/04/2008
A little planning can help your special education child make the transition from school to summer. If you follow these steps, it can be less stressful, and more enjoyable, for everyone involved.
More from Theresa McFarland
Educational Evaluation For Special Education Student With Autism
By: Theresa McFarland | 28/11/2007 | Education
All students in special education are required by law to have a complete evaluation every three years to determine eligibility for special education services. The following case study is about a student named "Adam". Adam is seven years old and has autism. He is in a Special Day Class setting...
Autism and a Dairy-free Diet
By: Theresa McFarland | 12/11/2007 | Learning Disabilities
Some parents of children with autism have seen positive results when dairy products are eliminated from the child's diet at a young age
Celiac Disease and Autism
By: Theresa McFarland | 12/11/2007 | Learning Disabilities
A disease called celiac disease is under investigation to show a link between autism and behavior. Celiac disease is caused from mal-absorption of nutrients. The hair-like projections called villi, in the intestinal tract are flattened from a reaction to gluten.
Educational Evaluation of Student With Autism
By: Theresa McFarland | 12/11/2007 | Learning Disabilities
All students in special education are required by law to have a complete evaluation every three years to determine eligibility for special education services. The following case study is about a student named "Adam". Adam is seven years old and has autism. He is in a Special Day Class setting in a public school. The case study includes details of Adam's three-year educational evaluation.
Education 
