How do school districts determine that a child has autism or a disorder like autism?
School districts determine that a student has autism or a disorder like autism if he exhibits any combination of the following autistic-like behaviors: (1) An inability to use oral language for appropriate communication; (2) A history of extreme withdrawal or relating to people inappropriately and continued impairment in social interaction from infancy through early childhood; (3) An obsession to maintain sameness; (4) Extreme preoccupation with objects or inappropriate use of objects or both; and (5) Self-stimulating, ritualistic behavior. [5 C.C.R. Sec. 3030(g); see also 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.7(c)(1).] In order to qualify for special education under this category, your child does not need to meet the medical definition of autism, just the educational definition.
Related Questions
- What are the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act for states and school districts to publish "report cards" on school performance?
- Can the ARISk Panel be used to determine the risk of autism in a child who does not have a sibling diagnosed with autism?
- What is the chance that a younger brother or sister of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will also have an ASD?
