This document discusses special education services for students with autism spectrum disorder in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school system. It provides the following key points: 1) Approximately 0.8% of DoDEA students are identified with autism spectrum disorder, representing about a 46% increase over the past 5 years. 2) DoDEA provides a continuum of special education services and instructional models to meet the needs of students with autism, including inclusion in general education classrooms, special education classes, and homebound instruction. 3) Current initiatives to support students with autism include hiring autism specialists, providing teacher training, developing online ABA resources, and ensuring access to services even when

1. Special Education Services for Students’ with Autism Spectrum DisorderPresented by: Tony Lodovico

2. Special Education EnrollmentSpecial Education enrollment over the past five years has been at approximately 10.5% of the DoDEA enrollmentApproximately 0.8% of the DoDEA enrollment () is identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or about 1 in 122 studentsApproximately 0.2% of the DoDEA enrollment is identified with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or about 1 in 413 students2

3. Longitudinal Data: Total Number of Students Identified with Autism

4. Number Of Students By District & Area February 2011

5. Percent of Increase Over 5 Year PeriodAutism Increased 46%Pervasive Developmental Disorder 3%Attention Deficit Disorder 22%Developmental Delay 20%Other Health Impaired 17%Communication Impaired 15%Learning Impaired 14%Intellectually Disabled 5%Emotionally Impaired 0%5

6. Eligibility CriteriaReview of Background Information(social/family/medical history; review of records; observations)Presence of a Physical, Sensory or Health Impairment(medical report; report form clinical specialist)Disability Adversely Affecting Education(educational performance; language assessment)Need for Environmental and/or Academic Modifications(educational impact analysis)6

7. Individualized Education Program (IEP) CommitteeDetermines Individualized Education Program (IEP)Access to the general education curriculumAssistive TechnologyLeast Restrictive Environment (LRE)

8. Continuum of Service Delivery1. Regular Class with Accommodations 3. Special Class/Classes 5. Day Program 2. Regular Class: Inclusion6. Residential Program 4. Homebound

9. Inclusion - students are served in the regular education classroom by a regular educator and a special educator/paraeducator Special Class - students are served in the special education class Combination of above two models9Instructional Models

10. DoDEA provides special education in OCONUS locationsAny child identified with ASD prior to relocation will receive specialized consideration to A2 and A3 locations only.A2 locations offer children who, with accommodations, receive the majority of their instruction in the general education environment. Direct instructional support is provided to address individual academic, social, behavioral, and communication needs.A3 locations offer a full continuum of intensive intervention delivered in a variety of settings from regular to self-contained classrooms.10Department of Defense DirectoryDOD Dependent Schools & Educational & Developmental Intervention ServicesEarly Intervention, Special Education & Related Servicesin OCONUS Communities

11. 11Current InitiativesDoDEA recognizes Autism as a separate special education endorsement for teacher certification.Two Autism Specialists at each Area Office offer consistent consultation services to staff working with students.Autism Teacher Leaders provide on-site consultation to staff and work with staff in six districts: Bavaria, Isles, Kaiserslautern, Kentucky, Japan, Okinawa.DoDEA Autism Blackboard Community provides multiple resources.Applied Behavior Analysis Consultant for North Carolina District provides support to staff, parents, and students.

12. 12Current InitiativesTwo Assistive Technology Specialists at each Area Office to work with staff in selecting assistive technology and to train staff on how to use assistive technology appropriately.Integration of general education and special education initiatives so that special education students are being taught same curriculum as general education students. DoDEA is procuring online training in Applied Behavior Analysis for staff working with students identified with autism (SY 2011-2012 ).

13. DoDEA CONTACTSDavid Cantrell Tony LodovicoChief, Special Education Instructional Systems Specialist 703-588-3147 703-588-3106david.cantrell@hq.dodea.edutony.lodovico@hq.dodea.eduCindy Chen Kathi HeathSupervisor, Instructional Supervisor, Instructional Systems Specialist – DDESS Systems Specialist – DODDS-EU678-364-8010 +49-611-380-7208cindy.chen@am.dodea.edukatharine.heath@eu.dodea.eduDavid JohansenSupervisor, Instructional Systems Specialist – DODDS -PAC315-644-5670david.johansen@pac.dodea.edu13

14. DoDEA Special Education Web SiteDoDEA Special Educationhttp://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/specialEduc.cfm Autism Spectrumhttp://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/specialEduc.cfm?cType=se&cId=autism Publications for Parentshttp://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/specialEduc.cfm?cType=se&cId=pubsOCONUS Directoryhttp://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/special_ed/pdf/201009_OCONUS.pdf14