GUIDE FOR A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH AUTISM

Guide For A Parent Of A Child With Autism



Guide For A Parent Of A Child With Autism

Characteristics of Autism

Autism is a mental disorder that severely impairs a person's ability to communicate, interact with other people, and have normal contact with the outside world. In its simplest form, autism may seem like a learning disability. The more severe forms of autism involve strange behavior that can even cause injury to the person. Most autistic people (75%) have mental retardation. One in 500 people are affected by autism. Also, autism is found in 4 times as many boys than girls, but it is not limited to race. (Berckelaer 2005)

National U.S. laws and policies

There are various U.S laws and policies that are implemented for special education. For example Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 law prohibits public schools and private schools that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against anyone with a disability. An individual do not need to wait until discrimination occurs to seek the protections of this law. The first step is to have an individuals child evaluated. Parents and school officials then meet and develop a Section 504 Plan. A Section 504 Plan would include the information listed for an "Education Plan". Often, schools want to develop a Section 504 Plan so that everyone knows his or her responsibilities. (Cornish 2002)

Secondly, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) covers children whose disability impairs their academic performance. It requires that students (age 3-22) be given a "free, appropriate public education." The child may or may not qualify, depending on how their disability affects their ability to learn. If the student qualifies, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed with the school provides and parents. (An IEP is similar to a Section 504 Plan but would include specific measures to address your child's academic performance and needed special education and other related services.)

Lastly, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) expressly prohibits all schools and day care centers (except those run by religious institutions) from discriminating against people with disabilities.  Its definition of disability is the same as in Section 504.

Basically, these laws say that your child has the right to go to school, play a sport, join a club, and do everything else that kids without a disability can do. They also say that public schools and other covered organizations must make "reasonable accommodations" for the disability. Such accommodations are to be spelled out in the Section 504 plan, IEP, or other education plan. There are many other laws existing, however the above are the important ones to be discussed. (Yan 2008)

Diagnostic procedures

So far, there is no cure for autism. The treatments used sometimes seem promising at first, but later show not to be effective. Also, since every autistic person is different, no single treatment will work for everyone. The most commonly used treatments are behavior modification, medication, and facilitated ...