Educational identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
When an individual is exhibiting characteristics of ASD and is referred for an evaluation or when a child enters a district having a previous identification of ASD the following may occur:
The assessment for educational identification of ASD should follow Nebraska Rule 51 guidelines for the referral and identification process
The Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) confirms the diagnosis of an ASD
If an ASD is not confirmed by the MDT team, but characteristics of ASD are documented, the regional team may be contacted to assist in program planning
In Nebraska, even if a student has a medical diagnosis of autism, an educational identification is necessary, in order for the student to receive services from the local school district
Nebraska has also developed a Technical Assistance Document to aid with verification & program planning, Special Education Verification and Effective Instructional Practices for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders