Special Education and Children with Autism

A child who has autism has the same right to special education services as any other child who needs addition support to learn at school. They have the right to be at school with the other children in there neighborhood and to attend the classes they would attend if they did not have autism.

Special education is a term used in the world of public education to describe programs and services designed to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities. These disabilities are often referred to as exceptionalities and I like that term better so that is how I will refer to children who are different learners and need additional support at school.

The primary goal of special education is to provide individualized support and accommodations to help students who need help to access regular education classrooms and curriculum. 

Receiving Special Education services involves developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, which outline the child’s strength and areas in need of support. These individualized programs will also identify specific educational goals and services that child will receive at school, free of charge.

The implementation of special education varies across countries and regions, but the underlying principle remains the same: to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to a quality education and opportunities to succeed just like every other child.
If you want more information here are two helpful links:

Your Child’s Rights: Autism and School

https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-school-your-childs-rights

Definitions of Special Education Terms

https://www.wrightslaw.com/links/glossary.sped.legal.htm#google_vignette