Autism

A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction. The term shall have the meaning given it in federal law at 34 CFR 300.7.

Keywords from the state and federal definitions: A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction.

generally evident before age 3...

adversely affects educational performance

engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements

resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and

unusual responses to sensory experiences

SPECIAL CONSIDERATI0NS RELATED TO DISABILITY IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

Performance may be inconsistent and may not be consistent with developmental norms

Environmental structure and presentation of materials may significantly affect performance

High anxiety is frequently a major component and may affect performance measures

Students may manifest difficulty with incidental learning

The impact of this disability is pervasive

Students may manifest attentional issues and issues with organizing information and understanding abstract concepts

POSSIBLE ASSESSMENTS & ASSESSMENT FACTORS

Autism-specific rating scales

Assessment of social maturity and skills

Communication Sample and assessment of student's language skills including pragmatic language skills

Observations - note if student engages in repetitive or stereotyped movements and the student's response to change in daily routines or environment

Assessment of student response to sensory experiences

Assessment of student's emotional status (see also emotional impairment)

Assessment in multiple environments with a variety of tasks

Note: This is a low incidence disability. Assessors should have experience and knowledge related to appropriate assessment tools

Related Terms: Pervasive Developmental Disorder(PDD), PDD-NOS(not otherwise specified), Autistic Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD), Asperger's Syndrome, Non-verbal Learning Disability, Rett's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

For more information:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/

www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_autm.htm

http://www.nichcy.org/

www.autism.com/ari/

http://www.autism-resources.com/

www.autism-society.org/

http://www.autism.org/

http://www.teach.com/

http://www.feat.org/

The Brockton Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, veteran’s status, sexual orientation or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities.