1. Autism Spectrum Disorders Rule Change July 1, 2007 Holly Sutherland Polk County Schools Low Prevalence Facilitator

2. New Rule Changes Title Change: From Autistic to Autism Spectrum Disorder ◦ Includes a range of pervasive developmental disorders including Autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger’s Syndrome ◦ Adversely affects student’s functioning (this does not mean academics, it can include social, independent or organizational functioning) ◦ Doctor information will be considered.* * Student must meet the criteria under the Fl DOE even with medical diagnosis.

3. Criteria for Eligibility – Developmental Profile 1. Uneven developmental profile as evidenced by current or previously exhibited inconsistencies in development of Language Social interaction Adaptive behavior Cognitive skill These can be across or within these domains.

4. ASD Pre-Referral Activities Prior to Referral ◦ Interventions – can they work? Must have a minimum of 2 interventions documented and why they did not help ◦ Parent Conferences ◦ Anecdotal and observation records in more than one setting ◦ Review of social, psychological, medical and achievement data ◦ Review of attendance ◦ Screening for Speech, language, hearing and vision

5. ASD - Evaluations Documented and dated observations targeting: social interaction, communication, patterns of behavior, interests or activities and must be observed across settings. Comprehensive Social/Developmental History Comprehensive Psychological Eval Comprehensive Speech/Language Eval Medical information shall be considered* *Student must meet the criteria under the Fl DOE even with medical diagnosis.

6. Eligibility for Services Under ASD To receive ESE services a student must first go through the Pre-Referral process called the Intervention Assessment Team (IAT). Student that do not respond to intervention then are evaluated. After the evaluations are done the student must meet the criteria for eligibility set up by the Florida Department of Education (DOE). Students must meet the criteria for the four domains: Developmental, Social, Communication, and Behavior

7. Criteria for ASD Eligibility – Social 2. Impairment in social interaction as evidenced by the delay, difference, absence or abnormality in the ability to relate to people or the environment. Example: Limited joint attention Does not show or bring things Gross impairment in making friends

8. Criteria for ASD Eligibility – Language/Communication 3. Impairment in verbal and/or non-verbal language or social communication skills as evidenced by one or more of the following: Lack of imaginative play Absence or delay of language Limited understanding of non-verbal communication Odd production of speech including intonation, volume, rhythm or rate Repetitive or idiosyncratic language or inability to maintain or initiate a conversation No using finger to point or to request

9. Criteria for ASD Eligibility - Behavior 4. Restricted, repetitive and/or stereotyped behavior patterns, interests or activity as evidenced by one or more of the following: Insistence on following rules or rituals Demonstrating distress or resistance to change in activity Repetitive hand or body mannerisms Lack of true imaginative play Over or under reaction to sensory stimuli Rigid or rule bound thinking Preoccupation with one or more stereotyped or restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal in either intensity or focus.

10. Polk County Schools ASD Support Team Holly Sutherland – Low Prevalence Facilitator/ Program Coordinator Pat Krouson – ASD Speech/Language Pathologist Kendra Turner – ASD Teacher Support ESE Department Building 270 Bartow Municipal Airport 863-534-0934