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