| Once a child is diagnosed with autism, families | | | | children in a general education class for their |
| have many questions and concerns. One of the | | | | education with support services being provided for |
| major dilemmas is determining how a child with | | | | specialized needs. Many children with autism are |
| autism will be educated. Each child is different with | | | | educated in a special education class. Special |
| unique qualities; the education of each child with | | | | education classes are designed specifically for |
| autism is determined by their needs and | | | | students with disabilities and are taught by a |
| strengths. | | | | special education teacher. A child can also be |
| Autism is considered to be a spectrum disorder. It | | | | serviced by a resource specialist who is a special |
| is a disorder characterized by symptoms that | | | | education teacher who either goes into a general |
| include repetitive behaviors or interests, deficits in | | | | education class or pulls students with disabilities |
| social interaction and deficits in verbal and | | | | out of the general education class. The related |
| nonverbal communication. Furthermore, children | | | | services that are available include school |
| with autism often have unusual responses to | | | | psychologists, school nurses, speech specialists, |
| sensory stimulation. Children with autism may also | | | | physical/occupational therapists and behavioral |
| display symptoms that include an inability to form | | | | therapists. Other special education services |
| relationships, delay in the development of speech, | | | | available are community-based training for the |
| lack of imagination, repeated patterns of activities, | | | | older child and summer school for many special |
| extreme aloofness and insistence on consistency | | | | day class students. Services vary according to |
| in routines and isolated areas of strong ability. | | | | the child's needs. A child with autism may have |
| Research has determined that early intervention is | | | | difficulty with communication and may need |
| crucial for children with autism. Early interventions | | | | services specifically focusing on speech and |
| include services from speech therapists, | | | | language development. A child with Asperger's |
| occupational therapists, adapted physical education, | | | | disorder which is on the autism spectrum may |
| applied behavior analysis, social skills training and | | | | have average or above average intelligence but |
| other therapies. Some of the services are | | | | may still be in need of services. |
| provided through the local school district; | | | | Services required for a child with autism will most |
| however, many families choose to hire private | | | | likely change over time. The most important thing |
| therapists and aides. | | | | a family can do once a diagnosis of autism is |
| Children with autism are eligible for special | | | | determined, is to seek support and services. |
| education services under the federal law once | | | | Recent reports reveal one of every 166 children |
| they turn three years old. The services include | | | | is diagnosed with autism. Fortunately, the |
| children who are in both general education and | | | | exposure of the topic is providing extensive and |
| special education classes. Some parents keep their | | | | exciting research and hope! |