Evaluation of Autistic Children

Children Act of 1975 requires free and appropriate public education for all children, regardless of the extent and severity of their handicaps while amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act of 1986 extended the requirement for free and appropriate education to children aged 3 to 5 years. Parents are advised to check with their individual school administrators to determine what programs best fit their child. There are two ways in which a child can be evaluated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:

1. The parent can request an evaluation by calling or writing the director of special education or the principal of the child’s school.
2. The school system may determine that an evaluation is necessary. If so, they must receive written permission from the parent before conducting the evaluation. – An evaluation should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team or group, which must include at least one teacher or other specialist with specific knowledge in the area of the suspected disability.

See more about school evaluation here: http://www.autism-society.org/what-is/diagnosis/school-evaluation/

Image courtesy: http://www.kars4kids.org/