Autism: A Challenge for Our Schools

One in 150 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.  Every day we see the brightly colored puzzle piece ribbons displayed on cars throughout our state.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in February 2007, announced there is no information as to why autism is increasing.  Nevertheless, we see more of these children in our schools every day. 

Autism is only one of a group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  ASDs are developmental disabilities that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communication with others. These conditions all have some of the same symptoms, but they differ in each individual child that is diagnosed. 

The complexities start when a child’s eligibility for special education is being determined.  The specific needs of the student with autism must be considered when recommending an educational placement for a child.  Some students with autism have better success in school when receiving individual support, others benefit from an inclusive setting while many students may need both. These needs are likely to change as a child gets older.  While all of this sounds confusing, it can also be highly frustrating for a special education teacher trying to work with these students.

Autism is sometimes referred to as a mysterious disorder since the specific cause is still unknown even though we know that education is the primary form of treatment.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that passed in 1975 gave a very important role to public schools around the country.  In 2001, the National Research Council published the book Educating Children with Autism.  The information in the book is a compilation of the knowledge regarding best practices in autism education from some of the brightest minds in the country.  The question is how much of this have we put into practice here in Alabama? 

It is challenging to educate a student with ASD but the importance of high quality education for a child and the impact that will have on long term outcomes is undeniable.  A child with ASD needs to have the ability to communicate at his or her level which allows them to develop their social and emotional skills. 

It is important for us to keep in mind that we are learning more and more about the intervention strategies that are useful to the student with ASD.  Knowledge is power.