More Autistic Students

[Keepstanding]

Are you all seeing an increase in students with Autism ? In my PK-5 school, I am. They are all over the spectrum. Some in the autism class but mostly dispersed throughout the regular ed classes.

So many kids and so many exasperated teachers. Just wondering what everyone is seeing.

Thanks

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Raising a child with asd or aspergers is extremely difficult, and it can be terribly expensive to get them the support they need.

When you see a parent trying to get documentation for their child to get SSI, It's about being able to get that child services.

[3peas]

On my ES campus we have one autistic unit and then I have several medically and educationally diagnosed students with autism in gen ed, and a stack (literal) of students who are waiting to be diagnosed.

[Jolie, BSN]

I don't know if others have seen this, but I have 2 students who are known to have other medical diagnoses, but whom the school has labeled with autism because it fits better into their planning and management.

Frankly, it enrages me. One family pulled their non-autistic son out of the school and moved him to another at great expense to themselves because they refused to have him labeled with a life-long diagnosis that could impact both future education and vocational plans. He was known to have suffered an anoxic episode during surgery as a toddler. He had some characteristics typical of autistic students and the school preferred to lump him in with everyone else, rather than actually individualize his educational plan.

The other young lady had Rhett's Disorder. Again, the school couldn't be bothered to actually address her known needs. Easier to lump her in with other somewhat similar students.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I don't know if others have seen this, but I have 2 students who are known to have other medical diagnoses, but whom the school has labeled with autism because it fits better into their planning and management.

Frankly, it enrages me..

Actually, I have seen that. Very frustrating.