TEN TIPS FOR DEALING TEN TIPS FOR DEALING WITH STUDENTS WITH WITH STUDENTS WITH

AUTISMAUTISMPresented by:Presented by:

JIM WALSHJIM WALSH

Get an ExpertGet an Expert

• Develop your own expertise.• In case of litigation, get someone independent of

the school district and follow that person’s advice.

A Full Individual EvaluationA Full Individual Evaluation

• If there is any data indicating a need for special education due to autism, check it out with a proper evaluation.

• Legal standard is to evaluate in all areas of suspected disability.

• This seems to come up more in autism cases than elsewhere.

Keep the Sloppy CopyKeep the Sloppy Copy

• Be prepared to show that the IEP was changed after it was first drafted.

• When IEPs are computerized, this may present a challenge.

• Forget the environment: PRINT!

Address ExtracurricularsAddress Extracurriculars

• First, ask the student what activities he/she would like to participate in.

• Then, identify aids and services necessary for the student to have an opportunity to do so.

• This includes accommodations for the tryout process for competitive activities.

ABAABA

• The issue is no longer whether ABA will be used, but rather, how much.

MethodologyMethodology

• Forget about the court cases that say that the school gets to choose the methodology.

• IEP Team must be prepared to address this, and explain why it believes that its methodology will enable the student to make progress.

GeneralizationGeneralization

• Forget about the court cases that say the school has no duty to ensure generalization.

• This is litigation strategy and should not influence the development of the IEP.

• What parent of any child would not expect to see some generalization?

PredeterminationPredetermination

• Run your meeting so that a neutral observer looking over the paperwork a year later will conclude that you had an open mind.

For the ParentsFor the Parents

• Predetermination is a two-way street. When courts perceive parents to be closed minded and rigid, they will label the parents as “unreasonable” and rule against them.

• The process is designed to be collaborative, cooperative, involving some give and take.

Junk ScienceJunk Science

• All of us have a responsibility to support legitimate research about the causes of autism and the possible treatments.

• For example, take a look at www.autismsciencefoundation.org.

Contact InformationContact Information

Jim Walsh

Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Gallegos and Green, P.C.

P.O. Box 2156

Austin, Texas 78768

P: (512) 454-6864

F: (512) 467-9318

jwalsh@wabsa.com