Education Services For Children With Autism

As the prevalence of autism has increasedchildren who are in both general education and special
astronomically in recent years, so has the number ofeducation classes. Some parents keep their children in
available treatments and education options. Parentsa general education class for their education with
must sift through the many interventions and decidesupport services being provided for specialized needs.
which is best for the education of their child. More andMany children with autism are educated in a special
more parents are educating themselves; the treatmenteducation class. Special education classes are
options are exciting and give hope to parents ofdesigned specifically for students with disabilities and
children with autism. But the task of determining whichare taught by a special education teacher. A child can
treatments and education paths are best for eachalso be serviced by a resource specialist who is a
child is a great responsibility. Once a child is diagnosedspecial education teacher who either goes into a
with autism, families have many questions andgeneral education class or pulls students with disabilities
concerns. One of the major dilemmas is determiningout of the general education class. The related
how a child with autism will be educated. Each child isservices that are available include school psychologists,
different with unique qualities; the education of eachschool nurses, speech specialists, physical/occupational
child with autism is determined by their needs andtherapists and behavioral therapists. Other special
strengths. Autism is considered to be a spectrumeducation services available are community-based
disorder. It is a disorder characterized by symptomstraining for the older child and summer school for many
that include repetitive behaviors or interests, deficits inspecial day class students. Services vary according to
social interaction and deficits in verbal and nonverbalthe child's needs. A child with autism may have
communication. Furthermore, children with autism oftendifficulty with communication and may need services
have unusual responses to sensory stimulation.specifically focusing on speech and language
Children with autism may also display symptoms thatdevelopment. A child with Asperger's disorder which is
include an inability to form relationships, delay in theon the autism spectrum may have average or above
development of speech, lack of imagination, repeatedaverage intelligence but may still be in need of
patterns of activities, extreme aloofness and insistenceservices. Services required for a child with autism will
on consistency in routines and isolated areas of strongmost likely change over time. The most important thing
ability. Research has determined that early interventiona family can do once a diagnosis of autism is
is crucial for children with autism. Early interventionsdetermined, is to seek support and services. Recent
include services from speech therapists, occupationalreports reveal one of every 166 children is diagnosed
therapists, adapted physical education, applied behaviorwith autism. Fortunately, the exposure of the topic is
analysis, social skills training and other therapies. Someproviding extensive and exciting research and hope!
of the services are provided through the local schoolTheresa McFarland, M.A. has over 20 years of
district; however, many families choose to hire privateexperience providing services to children and adults
therapists and aides. Children with autism are eligiblewho have disabilities including autism. For up to date
for special education services under the federal lawnews on topics related to autism, please visit: "Your
once they turn three years old. The services includeOnline Magazine for Autism Related Issues!