Expert: James Michael Roan - 10/12/2005

Question
We are having some difficulties with the public school systems. My son is Highly-Functioning, and so therefore, the school districts we have contacted and even attended will not place him in their autistic program. They place him in their DD classes. Which is fine. But now I have just recently found out that they pretty much do all of his work for him! He is in the first grade now and the only letter in the alphabet he knows is W. We practice things with him at home, and I would think they are doing the same at school. The problem is, we have realized that what we are doing, just doesn't seem to be working. His teacher is very concerned although, she has never taught an autistic child. She just knows the movie "Rain Man" she said.LOL! I have given her all the information I can on the subject and we are at a loss. My question to you is should we be satisfied with the way things are as parents and as teachers? Or should we maybe look into homeschooling for part of the day where he could get more one on one and get the socialization that he needs? Or are there other options that we are overlooking or just don't know about.

Thank You for Your Time in Advance,
Sandra Justus

Answer
Hi Sandra;

No, you should not be happy with things as they are! Public schools are required to provide a "free and appropriate education," or FAPE as it is usually referred to. If your school does not have an appropriate placement then they have to pay for one. This, however, is more easily said than done.

A DD placement with a teacher who is not trained in autism is not only unfortunate, it is also NOT appropriate. Appropriate is not only a judgment of the IEP team, but it has been more closely defined by most Administrative Law Judges (ALJ's). The internationally accepted standard is between 24-40 hours per week of specially designed instruction designed, delivered, and monitored by certificated professionals trained in autism.

Please be advised that there also exists a narrow window of opportunity that children with autism have to optimumly benefit from intervention services. Your child needs them now not later.

Kind Regards,
James