Effective School-Based Autism Program

Author: Rethink Autism, Inc.
Published: 27 Jan 2011 - Updated: 24 Jun 2022

Contents: Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Related Publications

Synopsis: With the alarming growth in autism prevalence, it is no surprise that public school districts are struggling to keep pace with the needs of the autism population.

Students' needs are usually addressed through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, where educators propose specific programs and services. At the same time, parents advocate for what they believe is best for their children individually.

Topic Definition: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most others. ASD begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person's life, although symptoms may improve over time. The abilities of people with ASD vary significantly.

Introduction

An estimated 637,000 children ages 3-17 in the U.S. (or 1 in 91) had a current Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis in 2007 according to a widely accepted study(1) published in Pediatrics. That represents a 67% increase from a previous estimate by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which reported autism rates of 66 per 10,000 children (or 1 in 150) in 2002.

Main Content

With such an alarming growth in the prevalence of autism, it is no surprise that public school districts nationwide are struggling to keep pace with the complex needs of a growing autism population.

Students' needs are usually addressed through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, where educators propose specific programs and services. At the same time, parents advocate for what they believe is best for their children individually. Often this puts schools and parents in an adversarial relationship, missing the "big picture" and the opportunity to create a program structure of best practices that have been proven effective in supporting students with autism.

As part of its commitment to the autism community, Rethink Autism is offering a free online webinar, "Key Components Of An Effective School-Based Autism Program," for school district leaders, teachers, and parents on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 1p EST / 12p CST and Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 3p EST / 2p CST, presented by Jamie Pagliaro, who is the Executive VP at Rethink Autism and Founding Executive Director, NY Center for Autism Charter School.

The webinar will identify seven key components that researchers and practitioners agree are necessary to support students with autism effectively. It will provide a framework for district leaders to allocate resources, for teachers to coordinate direct services, and for parents to advocate collaboratively to improve support for students on the autism spectrum.

This free webinar is open to anyone with Internet access - parents and professionals - but capacity is limited, so registration is required to attend. In its Expert Access webinar series, Rethink Autism connects the autism community with leading experts to share knowledge and perspectives on various important topics.

Rethink Autism's unique web-based program provides teachers with a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum through 1200+ video-based teaching steps, parent and staff training modules, an assessment tool, and progress tracking features. The curriculum, endorsed by leaders in the field of autism treatment and research, spans the autism spectrum and covers a broad range of skills, including academics, language, social, motor, daily living, and behavior management.

Rethink Autism, Inc. seeks to ensure that every child on the autism spectrum has access to effective and affordable evidence-based treatment options by providing professionals, parents, and family members with the tools and information necessary to teach children with autism in a way that is easy to understand and apply. Rethink Autism was founded in 2007 and has its headquarters at 19 West 21st Street in New York City.

Notes:

• (1) "The Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the United States, 2007," Oct. 5, 2009 issue of Pediatrics.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Rethink Autism, Inc. and published on 27 Jan 2011, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.