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Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Programs for autistic children vary based on their level of functioning, personality, and ability to interact. Some programs work better for some children than others, so research what program you think is best for your child or a person you know with autism. Try out the programs and see if it works, and it is okay to switch if you do not see the benefits for your child or friend. Not every program will work for every person.
What a Person with Autism is Entitled to for Education
What a Person with Autism is Entitled to for Education
Through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, all eligible children with autism are entitled to [1]:
- A free and appropriate education that is suited to their needs specifically.
- Different placements that will allow them to progress in the educational system.
- The best education possible even if school districts only provide an appropriate education.
- An environment where your child has the greatest chance of participating in the general education curriculum and the greatest interaction between he or she with children without the disorder.
- The least restrictive environment possible for them to succeed in.
Additionally, the Individualized Education Plan shows how the needs of your child will be met inside the school district and what his or her specific needs are [1].
Schools Designed for Autistic Children
Schools Designed for Autistic Children
Across the United States, there have been schools created for children with autism to provide them with the best education and programs for them possible. On this site, we will focus on the Day School at the Children's Institute. Note that these schools are private and have a tuition fee that can be covered or partially covered with scholarships. Look at the specific schools for information for pricing.
The Day School at the Children's Institute
The Day School at the Children's Institute
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Day School is a school for students with a range of special needs. For the purpose of this site, autistic children will be the focus of the page.
The classes are generally have six kids pre room with three trained educational professionals. The curriculum and training is based on the information provided by the PA Autism Initiative [2].
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the basis of the program which includes [2]:
- Language and social skills through behavior.
- Analyzing the student's motivation.
- Using data to make decisions.
- Using operant analysis of instruction to help with behavior.
The Day School also uses verbal behavior which is tied to ABA. It is formed from B.F. Skinner's work on verbal behavior. Verbal behavior increases the motivation of students to allow them to learn language skills, help them connect words to the mean of words, and participate in the school curriculum and society [2].
The progress that the students make are detailed in the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program which is taken at the beginning and end of the school year. The assessment creates unique goals for the students. The goals can also be formed by what the parent hopes that his or her child will achieve by the end of the school year [2].
Additional supports that students need are[2]:
- Occupational therapy.
- Speech support.
- Language support.
- Adapted physical education programs that include physical therapy support.
- Intensive behavior support.
- Social skills instruction.
- Assistance with feeding and using the bathroom if necessary.
Public Education for Autistic Children
Public Education for Autistic Children
Instead of paying for a private education, some parents enroll their autistic children in public schools with programs specifically designed for their children. This site is going to focus on the programs that the state of Indiana to autistic children.
Indiana
Indiana
All of the information here is from the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) and all the recommended programs and curricular materials have been found by the staff at the IRCA. For additional information and programs, click here to be linked to the IRCA website.
Communication Curriculum [3]
Communication Curriculum [3]
- STAR® Autism Support for grades K through 12+. Uses the ABA as seen in the Day School at the Children's Institute.
- LiPS: The Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech for grades pre-K through 12+. It can be administered as 1-on-1 attention, a small group, or a whole group depending on what is best for the autistic person. It helps form and develop spelling skills, reading skills, and decoding skills.
- PECS™ for grades pre-K through 12+. This program helps the individuals with autism to communicate in a social environment by teaching them how to respond, teach them certain visual exchanges, and how to be spontaneous when talking to other people.
Functional and Life Skills Curriculum and Reading and Literacy Comprehension Curriculum [3]
Functional and Life Skills Curriculum and Reading and Literacy Comprehension Curriculum [3]
- Achieve 3000® is for grades K through 12. The program is split up into three literacy instruction solutions that are based on Lexile® reading levels.
- Accessible Literacy Learning Reading Program ALL is for grades pre-K through 12+. This program teaches students with physical challenges and communication difficulties how to read common words and basic sentences.
- Boardmaker® Software is for grades pre-K through 12+. This program uses visual symbols to help improve the reading comprehension skills of children with autism.
Math Curriculum [3]
Math Curriculum [3]
- Hands-On Math is for grades K through 12. The program focuses on the fundamental concepts of mathematics.
- Pro-Ed, Inc is for grades pre-K through 12. Pro-Ed, Inc offers math programs that range from the basics of mathematics to algebra.
Science Curriculum [3]
Science Curriculum [3]
- Khan Academy© is for grades pre-K through 12. This company provides instructional videos, practice problems, and lessons to help with learning science topics and the science curriculum.
- Core Curriculum Solution: Early Science Curriculum is for grades K through 5. This program teaches the science topics in the curriculum for elementary school students.
- Core Curriculum Solution: Teaching to Standard is for grades 9 through 12+. This program teaches the science curriculum for high school students.
Sensory Curriculum [3]
Sensory Curriculum [3]
- SticKidsTM is for grades pre-K to 12+. This program helps the individuals with autism to create ways to compensate in order to improve their sensory processing and sensory modulation.
- The ASD Nest Model is for individuals with high functioning autism in grades K through 12. This program helps them learn to control their anxiety, learn how to use self-regulation, learn how to relate to society, and improve their sensory functioning.
Social Studies Curriculum [3]
Social Studies Curriculum [3]
- Amazing Americans is for grades 4 through 8. This program has biographies at different reading levels of famous Americans through out history to teach individuals with autism how to evaluate the information that is given to them, how to compare people and objects, and how to apply the higher-level thinking skills that they have been taught.
- Explore Social Studies is for grades 6 through 12. This program helps children with autism learn world history, American history, civics, economics, geography.
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