In Part 2 of this Autism
Primer, Dr. Wilkinson offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions
about identification and educational planning for ASD. Resources are also
provided that will guide you to further information. The content is intended to
be informational only and does not constitute professional advice.
Question: What is the
difference between DSM-IV-TR and IDEA?
Answer: It is important to
recognize that there is a difference between the clinical and the educational
definitions of autism. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004
(IDEA) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth
Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) are the two primary systems of
classification. The DSM-IV is considered the primary authority in the fields of
psychiatric and psychological (clinical) diagnoses, while IDEA is the authority
with regard to eligibility decisions for special education in our schools. The
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) entitles all students with
special needs to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). According to the IDEA
regulations, the definition of autism is as follows:
(c)(1)(i) Autism means a
developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal
communication and social interaction, generally evident before age 3, that
adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics
often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and
stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily
routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply
if a child’s educational performance is adversely affected primarily because
the child has an emotional disturbance, as defined in this section.
(ii) A child who manifests
the characteristics of ‘‘autism’’ after age 3 could be diagnosed as having
‘‘autism’’ if the criteria in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section are
satisfied.
No comments:
Post a Comment