AUTISM GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND
HOT TOPICS FOR ADMINISTRATORS
JoDonna Burdoff
Autism Outreach Coordinator WVDE/OSP
AUTISM GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND
HOT TOPICS FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
AUTISM GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND
HOT TOPICS FOR ADMINISTRATORS
This document was a
AUTISM GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND
HOT TOPICS FOR ADMINISTRATORS
PURPOSE
 To provide educational related information about ASD ( Autism Spectrum Disorders)
 To assist IEP teams in developing a researched- based program for children who qualify for
special education under the category of autism
 Provide information for parents about first steps after receiving a diagnosis
 Provide information on ASD
 Provide information on appropriate educational program indicators for students with ASD
 Provide information on various methodologies, interventions and strategies for educators
and parents working with students with ASD
 Provide information on where to find additional information on ASD
IT IS NOT THE AUTISM BIBLE
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
TO HELP YOU BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE
DOCUMENT, LOCATE THE PAGE NUMBERS THAT
CORRESPOND WITH THE QUESTIONS ON THE
HANDOUT?
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
QUESTION NUMBER 1
Parent comes in OR YOU ARE SITTING IN AN IEP and questions the difference between
an autism diagnosis and the educational eligibility of autism. Where in this document
could you direct them?
PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE SECOND PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 15
It is important to recognize that a diagnosis of PDD-NOS, Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism, alone is
not enough to qualify your child for special education services. WV Policy 2419 defines a student
eligible for special education as a student who (1) has a disability or disabilities, (2) whose
disability(ies) adversely affects educational performance and (3) whose unique needs cannot be
addressed exclusively through education in general education classes with or without individual
accommodations. The third part means a student requires specially designed instruction. Specially
designed instruction is organized and planned instructional activities, which adapt, as appropriate,
the content, methodology or delivery of instruction to address the unique needs that result from a
student’s disability.
Don’t forget : Student is diagnosed as having autism by a psychiatrist, physician,
licensed psychologist OR school psychologist.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
QUESTION NUMBER 2
Teacher walks into your office stating that he/she is not qualified or trained to have
“this student with autism” in their room. This could be a general educator or a
special educator.
Pages 165-175 are a good start.
On page 170 is information on AIMES and on page 175 is the link to National
Professional Development Center.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
QUESTION NUMBER 3
This note is left on your desk………
Dear ___________,
I think the IEP needs a PWN because we declined DTT and PECS due to the fact that the LRE does not have
a BCBA approved ABA teacher, and the current teacher did not complete the SCERTS and the TEEACH
trainings. The FBA did not match the BIP so FAPE might be in jeopardy.
Maybe it would be best to schedule another IEP please give me dates.
Pages 81 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS KEY TERMS AND ACRONYMS
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
QUESTION NUMBER 4
Student with autism is sent to your office for disciplinary issues and has an FBA and
BIP.
Page 49 Starts the description of FBAs and PBS.
Don’t forget to look at Policy 2419 and 4373.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
QUESTION NUMBER 5
Parent/teacher request new IEP because the student has now qualified for services
under the autism insurance bill.
Page 133 House Bill 4260
Pay careful attention to page 148 “ This section shall not be
construed as limiting or replacing or affecting any obligation to
provide services to an individual under IDEA.”
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
Sitting in an IEP and the parents request an one-on-one aide
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
PARAPROFESSIONALS
THIS IS A BIG DEAL !!!!!!
Quote from the 2011 WV Advisory Council for the
Education of Exceptional Children.
“Testimony received this year and last has made it clear
that the number of requests received by local districts for
one-on-one aides to support instruction for students with
more significant needs has increased dramatically.
Although some students do require this level of support,
most instead require continuous adult supervision. For
this reason, the Council recommends providing guidance
to school personnel and services through the IEP process
and how to communicate to parents”
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
• IS THERE A NEED?
• Not all children with autism require one-on-one assistance to
receive educational benefit.
• In some instances, the provision of a one-on-one aide may impede
the child’s progress.
• IDEA does not require it
• That does not mean, however that a county should disregard a
parent’s request without comment.
• Validating parent concerns and viewpoints is important to the
decision making process and can make all the difference.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
We really should not be discussing one-onone aides in the IEP. . . .
We should be discussing NEEDS…
Exhaust alternative additional supports
Attention to task- Behavior support plan, classroom
modifications and IEP goals
Aggressive behaviors- BIP
Academically falling behind- Review program and
placement carefully.
Break down the schedule- May need nonstop redirection
to pay attention in story time but does fine in art.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices
If you want a copy of the guidance document go
to:
• http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/autism.html
• If you would like a copy of this presentation,
email me at jburdoff@gmail.com.
Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Services in WV Schools
Guidelines for Best Practices