Despite the fact that special education staff has assured you that your young kid does not have autism, are you worried? Do you want to know three of the most common misconceptions about autism? Would you like to understand how to fight back against these falsehoods? There are three popular myths regarding autism that will be dispelled in this essay.
Truth 1: Your child does not have autism; instead, he or she is suffering from emotional instability. As an advocate for education, I see this as the most widespread deception. Autism is to blame for the emotional and behavioural difficulties that most youngsters with the illness experience. Of course, in this scenario, there is no other reason for the child’s behaviour to be erratic than his or her mental distress.
This is crucial because if a child has autism, they will likely require significant associated and special education programmes in order to get the most out of their schooling. They can refuse your child any and all educational help if they can persuade you that he or she does not have autism, but rather is emotionally disturbed.
A psychologist who specialises in this field can help you advocate for your child’s well-being. Bring the results to the district’s attention and request that your child be classified as autistic rather than emotionally disturbed for purposes of special education (if the evaluation shows that this is true).
The second lie is that your kid doesn’t have autism because he or she doesn’t engage in repetitive behaviours. A number of youngsters with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or Aspergers Syndrome are diagnosed with this. It is important to note that many of these children do not exhibit the normal symptoms of this condition. Special education staff have told me over the years that a certain child does not have a certain handicap, without conducting any testing. An autism rating scale must be administered to the youngster by a certified practitioner.
The Childhood Autism Rating Scale is the one that comes highly recommended by me (CARS). Getting a score is as simple as filling out the form. Having a higher score indicates a greater likelihood that the child suffers from the condition.
A skilled expert can also administer the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Demand that your child receive an Autism Rating Scale (CARS) or the ADOS from a health care provider.
Autism does not impede a student’s ability to learn, hence they are not eligible for special education assistance.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Reauthorization of the statute in 2004 removed language that stated the child’s handicap had to negatively impact their education. In order to get special education services, a kid must have a disability and educational needs. There is no mention of a disability influencing a child’s educational opportunities.
You should ask the special education staff to show you in Federal Law, where it is stated that special education eligibility is based on the child’s impairment negatively affecting their educational performance.. They can’t show you anything since it doesn’t exist. Keep emphasising that you believe your child is autistic and has educational needs as an advocacy tool. In order to qualify, a child must meet the following criteria:
You are your child’s best advocate, so don’t back down from confrontations with special education staff.