| Do you have a child with autism, pervasive | | | | Area 4: The needs resulting from resistance to |
| developmental disorder (PDD), or Asperger's | | | | environmental change or change in daily routines |
| disorder? Do you have difficulty getting special | | | | Rigidity in routines and resistance to change is |
| education personnel to listen to your input on | | | | another characteristic of autism spectrum |
| what services your child needs? | | | | disorders. Picture schedules and verbal notice to |
| Would you like a short list of areas that should be | | | | the child of change in schedules and routine, may |
| addressed at your child's IEP meeting? This article | | | | help. |
| will give you 7 areas that need to be discussed at | | | | Area 5: The needs resulting from engagement in |
| your child's IEP meeting; to determine what special | | | | repetitive activities and stereotyped movements |
| education and related services your child requires, | | | | Another characteristic of autism is the existence |
| in order to get a free appropriate public education | | | | of ritualistic behaviors. Strategies can be |
| (FAPE). | | | | developed to help your child decrease these |
| Area 1: The nonverbal and verbal communication | | | | behaviors. |
| needs of the child | | | | Area 6: The need for any positive behavioral |
| Impairment in communication can negatively | | | | interventions, strategies, and supports to address |
| affect a child with autism's education, and should | | | | any behavioral difficulties resulting from autism. |
| be addressed, possibly by direct services from a | | | | Many school districts still want to punish children |
| Speech Language Pathologist. | | | | with disabilities for negative behavior, even though |
| Area 2: The need to develop social interaction | | | | IDEA requires positive behavioral strategies be |
| skills | | | | considered. |
| One of the characteristics of autism is that | | | | Area 7: Other needs that may impact progress in |
| children have impairments in social interaction with | | | | education, and social and emotional development. |
| other people. Children may need services in this | | | | Some children with autism have medical needs, |
| area to help them develop appropriate social | | | | trouble with organization, executive function, and |
| interaction skills. | | | | generalization. You should bring up any other area |
| Area 3: The needs resulting from the student's | | | | that causes your child to have educational need, |
| unusual responses to sensory experience | | | | and make sure that needed special education |
| Many children with autism have sensory | | | | services are written in your child's IEP! |
| integration dysfunction that can have a | | | | By addressing these seven areas in your child's |
| detrimental affect on their education. Special | | | | IEP you will be able to determine if your child |
| education services may need to be given by an | | | | needs any special education services in these |
| experienced trained SIPT qualified occupational | | | | areas! Good Luck! |
| therapist. | | | | |