Autism

[Cat]

Can a child be classified as autistic even if they dont have the full blown autism? Yesterday I went to the eligibility meeting at DS school to find out if he qualifies for special ed services and he definitely does. The school tried to do their testing on him and most all the time he wouldnt cooperate (ODD) but they were able to observe him and get him to do a few things, but what shocked me was that the lady heading up the meeting gave me this paper about autism and that if DS met the criteria he would be put under Autism and not other health impaired for his IEP. But at least he is getting one. I am not sure if they are going to put him a self contained class or if they are going to leave him where he is until the rest of the year but just start pulling him out for the other class and then when he starts 1st grade maybe then they can put him in self contained. But my problem is that if he is put in self contained with other autistic kids who are truly autistic how is he going to learn how to act like other kids.

[coloradokitkat]

yes they can. I think it's referred to as Asberger's Syndrome? And there are MANY varrying degrees of how bad it can be

[Victoria]

There are several classifications on the Autism spectrum.

[jana]

I am a Special Education Teacher. The spectrum for Autism is very broad. How old is your son? Are you feeling lost with all the information?

[petsparkle]

Autism is a spectrum (The Autistic Spectrum) which encompasses a LOT of different things, and varying degrees of severity. Generally two kids with "autism" will likely be very different.

[LoveKiss]

The autistic spectrum is quite wide. My DS has a mild degree of Asperger's Syndrome. He is in the GT program in regular classrooms in school. There's another student with mild autism who is also in the regular classrooms with a personal assistant, and has had this same arrangement since 1st grade. DS's school is also an autism specialty school, with several contained classrooms. Kids who can function (with help) with other students are often mixed into the regular classes for specialty subjects, like art, and at lunch. Definitely ask tons of questions of the school.

[harrisonsdream]

Yes there are many disorders on the spectrum

[coloradokitkat]

Originally Posted by jana I am a Special Education Teacher. The spectrum for Autism is very broad. How old is your son? Are you feeling lost with all the information?

oh good! I knew there had to be someone on here that was a Spec. Ed. Teacher!!

OP, now you have someone with adequate "authority" on the matter that you can talk to! Good luck, I wish you and your son the best!

[jana]

Originally Posted by coloradokitkat oh good! I knew there had to be someone on here that was a Spec. Ed. Teacher!! OP, now you have someone with adequate "authority" on the matter that you can talk to! Good luck, I wish you and your son the best!

I have to leave for work now. If you want to PM, feel free to do so.

[Cat]

Originally Posted by jana I am a Special Education Teacher. The spectrum for Autism is very broad. How old is your son? Are you feeling lost with all the information?

He is 6 yrs old and will be 7 in october. No I am not feeling lost persay, but just confused because his therapist diagnosed him with aspergers but the school said he met the criteria to be classified as autism on his IEP. Unless they meant the aspergers. They said they didnt like using the term spectrum, but I have no idea why they would have a problem with that. I would hope that they could leave him in his regular classroom and then just pull him out for the other things he needs help with.