| Has your child recently been diagnosed with | | | | should be a covered disability; though you may |
| Aspergers Syndrome, and you are struggling to | | | | need to advocate for this. |
| get your school district to recognize the diagnosis? | | | | 4. Many children with this disorder will require help |
| Would you like to learn some important | | | | learning appropriate social interactions and social |
| information to help you in your special education | | | | skills. This should be provided as a special |
| advocacy efforts, for your child? This article will | | | | education services for your child if they need it. It |
| specifically address things that you need to know | | | | could be working directly with a school social |
| to help you fight for special education services for | | | | worker or participating in a small group social skills |
| your child. | | | | class. |
| Things that you need to know. | | | | 5. Small groups may help your child with their |
| 1. Aspergers Syndrome has its own category in | | | | education and also to develop appropriate social |
| the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM IV) that is | | | | skills. |
| used for diagnosis. It is under the umbrella of | | | | 6. Modifications and adaptations in the regular |
| Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). | | | | classroom may help your child keep up with their |
| 2. The American Psychiatric Association is | | | | peers. |
| proposing changing Aspergers Syndrome from its | | | | 7. Sensory integration disorder is common in |
| own category to within the autism category for | | | | many children with this disorder, and shows itself |
| the DSM V. The intent is to try and make the | | | | in difficulty with lights, sounds, different foods and |
| diagnosis of autism clearer. The decision will be | | | | different fabrics. If your child shows this difficulty, |
| made within several months (middle to end of | | | | ask your school district for testing by an |
| 2010). | | | | Occupational Therapist who is SIPT qualified (has |
| 3. From an educational standpoint this is a | | | | received specialized training in the area of sensory |
| wonderful decision, in my opinion, that will benefit | | | | integration/processing disorder). |
| thousands of children throughout the United | | | | 8. Many children with Aspergers may need |
| States. Why? Many school districts have denied | | | | Occupational Therapy also for motor clumsiness. |
| children with this disorder special education | | | | Ask for specific testing in this area if your child |
| services because they state that the child does | | | | shows need. |
| not have autism, and so therefore is not eligible. | | | | Keep these 8 items in mind when you attend |
| But in reality the Individuals with Disabilities | | | | Individual Educational Plan Meetings (IEP) for your |
| Education Act state that a child must have one of | | | | child. They will assist you in trying to help your |
| 13 covered disabilities and have educational need. | | | | child receive a Free Appropriate Public Education! |
| Aspergers is a part of the autism spectrum and | | | | |