School Planning Information for Children with Autism

School Planning Information for Children with Autism – The Autism Exchange

Introduction

Entering your child with special needs into the public school system can be overwhelming. The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) provision of special education law ensures that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled. School is important for every child, helping to create social skills and preparing them for adulthood (also see Jobs). The school system is required to provide specially designed instruction (SDI), at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities stated that this may include instruction in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other setting. Special education services may include speech-language pathology services, occupational therapy, physical therapy or any other related service, travel training, and vocational education.

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written document for each child with a disability which outlines the specially designed instruction, services, goals, accommodations, modifications and transition services a student’s program will entail. The information, goals and services within the IEP are based on the results of the evaluation, which determines eligibility or the results of a re-evaluation. The IEP is created through the collaborative efforts of the IEP team which includes the parents of the student, regular education teacher(s), special education teacher(s), administrative designee, someone who can interpret the instructional implications of the evaluation results, and any other knowledgeable person requested by the parents or school, and the student, if appropriate.

Related Sites

Transition Planning and College for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Description: Successful transition planning and issues for college attendance for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder are highlighted.

Planning to Transition to College, a Trade or Technical School
Description: Site has lots of links with good information about continuing education after high school.

Books

Teaching Social Skills to People with Autism by Andy Bondy and Mary Jane Weiss
Description: The primary focus of this book is teaching children and adults with autism to develop better social skills. This book is a valuable source for teachers, therapists, and parents alike.

A Step-By-Step Curriculum for Early Learners with an Autism Spectrum Disorder [With CDROM] by Lindsay Hilsen
Description: Created with parents, teachers, and therapists in mind, this book highlights three key components for early learners with autism: determining the child’s abilities, implementing the materials, and retaining the new skills acquired. Also, a CDROM providing an overview of the book’s content is included.

Tools

Parent Tips: Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher
Description: Tips on what to ask your teacher before school starts, areas of concern, methods of communication, and other communication tips to make parent-teacher relationships trouble-free.

Back to School Tips
Description: Tips on how to prepare your child to getting back into the scheduling of school and how to prepare yourself.

Parent Forums/Blogs

Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.

Forum/Blog Name: Seattle Schools Community Forum
Description: This forum focuses on news, issues, and inclusion in Seattle schools.

Forum/Blog Name: The Wrightslaw Way to Special Education Law and Advocacy
Description: Blog to find information and discuss special education and legal issues.

Consumer Corner

The PEERS Curriculum for School-Based Professionals: Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Description: Designed for teens with autism, this guide provides social skills planning, assignments, and activities. This is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and school professionals alike.

Community Library

Homeschooling: Making the Decision
Description: When thinking about educating your child, Homeschooling may need to be a consideration. This article points out positive and negative factors about choosing Homeschooling and what to consider.

Understanding Individualized Education Programs
Description: This article explains what an IEP is and what it entails for goals, and how it can help for school planning for parents, teachers, and your child.

(coming soon)