According to special education eligibility criteria, Autism means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, and adversely affecting a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.
Autism is a complex disability, and children with autism can have very challenging school experiences in areas of academics, socialization, and behavior. It is crucial to have an appropriate evaluation from an early age in order to best understand a child’s needs and also receive early intervention and services. When assessing autism, I use the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2), in addition to behavioral rating scales. The ADOS-2 is a semi-structured play-based assessment of autism spectrum disorders across ages, developmental levels, and language skills. It is considered the gold standard for assessing autism. As a part of an autism assessment, I also conduct observations in the child’s social setting to have a better understanding of his or her socialization, language, and behavior.
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