Autism Therapy: public school

definition of public school: Type of school that is funded by the United States government and free to children in the United States.

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Principals’ Attitudes Regarding Inclusion of Children with Autism in Pennsylvania Public Schools
J Autism Dev Disord, by Horrocks, JL, White G., and Roberts L., published in 2008, summarized Nov 24, 2008

School principals who believe that children with autism can be included in a regular classroom are more likely to include them in a regular classroom.

This study was designed to measure how school principals feel about inclusion of students with autism in the classroom. Principals with the most experience were the least likely to support inclusion. Principals who had personal experience with autism were no more likely to support inclusion. Principals with formal training in special education were more likely to support inclusion. The authors suggest that principals need to have more knowledge of autism and the role of inclusion in the lives of children with autism.


States Increasingly Mandate Special Autism Services
Managed Care, by Reinke, T., published in 2008, summarized Nov 17, 2008

Many states are seeking to follow the lead of Pennsylvania and Louisiana and expand private health insurance coverage for autism services.

This article discusses who should pay for autism treatments. Under the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), early intervention and special education programs must provide services to children with autism. This will be a large cost if health insurance has to pay the bill for services offered in public schools. The concern is that the cost of health insurance will go up so much that small businesses will no longer be able to afford health insurance. The hope is that more and more children will be able to shed the autism diagnosis by age 8.


Autism Treatment Survey: Services Received by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Public School Classrooms
J Autism Dev Disord, by Hess, KL, Morrier MJ, Heflin LJ, and Ivey ML, published in 2008, summarized Jul 30, 2008

The top five autism therapies used in the Georgia public schools are: Gentle Teaching, sensory integration, cognitive behavioral modification, assistive technology, and Social Stories.

This article reports the results of a survey performed to find out the types of treatments, therapies, and interventions used by teachers working with students with autism in Georgia's public schools. The therapies differed by grade level and classroom type. The authors found that fewer than 10% of the therapies used with students with autism in Georgia public schools are based on scientific evidence. They propose that teaches may be wasting time and funds on treatments that may not work. About 40% of the therapies used by the teachers were not even mentioned in a 2005 review of autism therapies.


Applied Behavior Analysis: Beyond Discrete Trial Teaching
Psychology in the Schools, by Steege, MW, and Mace FC, published in 2007, summarized Jul 3, 2007

Parents need to look carefully to make sure that their children are receiving true Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy from public schools.

Many public schools use an autism-specific ABA program. These programs may be called ABA, but the teachers really only spend 45 minutes per day doing ABA. This is much less than the 25-40 hours per week of ABA therapy that should make up a real ABA program. The authors wrote this article to define ABA therapy and describe what ABA therapy should look like in the school system. The authors note that many programs that are called ABA are really just discrete trial training (DTT) and not as good for treating autism as a real ABA program.


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Ohio School District Opens Autism Resource and Education Facility

Sep 19, 2011

Mentor Public School District will soon open the Cardinal Autism Resource and Education School (CARES) in Northern Ohio. This facility, serving between 12 and 42 kids with autism, will cover educational, sensory, and life skills. CARES hopes students may return to a mainstream classroom or graduate with the ability to obtain a job or further schooling. The facility has been retrofitted specifically for children with sensory issues. CARES director, Christy LaPaglia explains, “The building will be equipped with new lighting, acoustic panels in classrooms, odorless carpet and paint.” One unique feature of CARES is the observation area where parents and other educators can watch and listen to what is happening in the classroom. CARES hopes this will assist in useful feedback for the children as well as the teachers. The center consists of seven classrooms, the observation rooms, parent resource area, gym, and sensory rooms.

Read original article: Mentor Schools' Autism Center Set to Open October 3rd


Scout the Dog Helps Kids with Language Delays Learn to Communicate

Jun 2, 2011

Scout and his owner, a speech/language pathologist, come to the Jefferson School to work with preschoolers who have communication difficulties. Nancy Jo Connell brings the specially trained Labrador to the Missoula County public school once a week. Scout has been trained to respond to the correct pronunciation of words as well as to correct sign language. If Scout does not respond to the child’s voice or sign, then a teacher or therapist encourages the child with, “Oh, he doesn't understand you,” and the child can try again. Connell would like to see animal-assisted therapy in all types of classrooms.

Read original article: Scout the Lab Helps Children with Speech Difficulties, Special Needs


University of Southern Mississippi Launches Gulf Coast Autism Project

Dec 13, 2010

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) wants to make sure that kids with autism are prepared for public school. They have launched the Gulf Coast Autism Project to enlist teachers and counselors to work with 3 to 5 year olds. "It's all geared toward the public schools," said Tim Morse, USM Gulf Coast Autistic Project Training Director. "That's already the institution that we as a society have tasked with providing educational services for these children." The kids receive visual support, play time, and whatever other therapies engage the child in communication. The center understands that the child is served best when parents are involved and so offers support to parents as well.

Read original article: Parents Call USM Autism Project an Answered Prayer


Using Virtual Technology to Enable Students with Autism to Interact with Peers and Therapists

Dec 10, 2010

This article focuses on reasons for and therapeutic success when using virtual technology for students with autism and other developmental delays. Examples include using virtual training when a student has to miss academic class time for therapy time, or providing peer interaction for children in a remote location or unable to attend school. Parents, teachers, and therapists can set up a child’s individualized educational program (IEP) when all are not in the same location. In addition, there are many school districts that cannot afford certain scholastic and therapeutic opportunity for their students, but can take advantage of video-conferencing. School districts successfully using distance learning for children with disabilities include: Broward County Public Schools (FL); Texas Education Agency; Kentucky School for the Deaf; and New Mexico School for the Deaf.

Read original article: Meeting the Needs of Special Needs Students Virtually


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Public school systems - Chicago suburbs

Mar 11, 2009 by Anonymous

Which public school system has the best special education department for autistic kids?  Any input would be appreciated.


Any suggestions

Aug 31, 2008 by Anonymous

 My son is 9 y/o & in 4th grade in public school. He is in mainstream class with spec ed 1hr/day, specch 30 min/wk, & OT 30 min/wk. We take him to a behaviorist regularly, he is on meds for tx of symptoms.  I have heard of others using fish oil & other supplements. Do these work? Also, we feel at a loss of what to do further to help him. He still has a lot of social & behavioral issues. Thanks, Niki


speech therapy

Jun 20, 2007 by Anonymous

My eleven year son has low functioning Autism.  He is non-verbal.  He attends public school in a special education center.  He is recieving only 1/2 hour of speech a week with three other students in his classroom.  I have been fighting to get him more speech and to have him get one-on-one speech.  Can some one point me in to the right direction of where to find research studies that I can bring to his IEP to support my claim that he is not getting the services he needs or what approach should be used with him? 


Speech Therapy

Jun 20, 2007 by Anonymous

My eleven year son has low functioning Autism.  He is non-verbal.  He attends public school in a special education center.  He is recieving only 1/2 hour of speech a week with three other students in his classroom.  I have been fighting to get him more speech and to have him get one-on-one speech.  Can some one point me in to the right direction of where to find research studies that I can bring to his IEP to support my claim that he is not getting the services he needs or what approach should be used with him? 


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Please comment on public school or other autism therapy topics.

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