Aspergers Diagnosis- Autism Classification

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Hi Everyone,
I just found this website and I hope you can help me. My son was recently diagnosed Aspergers. He is 7. I want to get the school to change the IEP classification to Autism from Other Health Impaired. Parents in my district have been telling me that unless he is diagnosed Autistic, the CSE chairperson will not change his classification. We live in NY. The Dr. has said that NY law specifies that Aspergers gets an Autism classification. Does anyone know if this is true or anything about this? and if so, where can I find some documentation. The only thing that I have seen in the law is talk about Autism, but nothing about the rest of the spectrum.

Your Doctor is correct, but since Aspersers is medically a subtype of autism it might be just as easy to get him to write the diagnosis as “Autism, subtype Aspergers”. This is a “game” some district play to delay providing services. Call the state DOE and talk to them about it. If they are not initially helpful let them know that you are going to request an administrative ruling from the federal DOE IDEA compliance office. This usually gives them adequate “incentive” to do the right thing. Once they are given an administrative ruling they are required to monitor and insure compliance at all levels.

oh by the way the "classification"decision is an IEP team decision not the perview of any individual

call an IEP meeting immediatly to se if they are realy going to deny. If they do be sure and request Prior written notice so you can use process. I allways let the local team know thath I am going to call the state office (so they do not feel blindsided) to see if they can "help" this is often enought to make a change

bookwormde

In our district we would classify Asperger's as Autism. Most districts around here do, but it may vary from state to state or even district to district. Here is the Autism federal definition from IDEIA: I certainly think Asperger's can fall under that

IDEIA 2004 Definition

A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, 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.

Hello,

I am in NYC as well. We are still going through the evaluation process. Our child is diagnosed with Asperger's (independently) and the CSE is treating it as an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I was informed that they do not accept independent evaluations. One has to be diagnosed by their psychologists. If unhappy with their diagnosis, then one can go the independent route at their expense. (Seems like a waste of money, time, and resources if we already have a definitive diagnosis).

Have you heard about the Nest ASD program?

Anuta1

Yes you are right it is silly. Most districts are happy to have an outside evaluation because it saves resources. All you are going to do is drop your already existing evaluation on the table as soon as they have theirs.

What a waste of time that could be better spent on providing services.

Delay, delay, delay.

Since you already have a diagnosis call an IEP meeting to get on the schedule, which will ensure that they will have their evaluation done before the meeting. Otherwise you would be amazed how long they can take to complete it. If it is not done they are required to use yours as “evidence” for and the eligibility determination, unless they want to contest the clinician’s credentials.

bookwormde

Hi,
I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I think I now have my ducks in order. My sons meeting is on the 19th. Wish me luck.
Someone mentioned the Nest ASD program. What is that?

Let us know how it goes; I have a meeting on the 21st to expand the quantity of non-academic curriculum services plus a few other issues. It is always and ongoing process.
It does not end once you are past the classification hurdle.

It seams to take 2-4 meetings a year to keep making progress.

When you start developing your child’s “needs” list and deciding on LRE placement there is lots of support and ideas on this board

bookwormde

bookwormd, please can you answer me a question? Thanks in advance!!

When a child in the UK is statemented, apparently a mechanism for banding is used, My son falls into 40 BUT I don't know what this means.

What formula are the SEN panels using to categorise each child, how many categories are there and what do you have to be to be in a particular category! oooh it sounds complicated and I bet it is.

My son has 15hrs with the school putting in the extra 10, they have refused to contribute to that saying he is only eligible for this provision as there is no evidence to suport an increase? I am confused because if school are providing extra that must be the evidence!!

Oooh I am having a BAD day, can you put me right please!!

Sorry I am only familiar with the USA and IDEA, which is all based on what is needed for the child to receive and appropriate education. A sound like GB has a bit of a bureaucratic nightmare (not that ours does not have its own problems).

IDEA specifically requires that the supports must be individualized to the child.

bookwormde

It is very hard to find information about the Nest program. What I discovered is that it is a pilot program between NYU and NYCDOE. It is executed at local schools (about 12 school in the city). The idea behind it is that you have a class of 4 AS or HFA kids with 12 NT kids taught by teachers with special ed certification. Social skills are reinforced throughout the day (even during recess time).
We are trying out for the program but are unable to get any information from the DOE, exrtemelly frustrating.
PM me and I can share what I know.

My son has aspergers diagnosis since May 2009. The district has refused to change his classification and gave me PWN because of thew other diagnoses previously of tourettes, ADHD, and OCD. The Aspergers diagnosis came later. I have tried to explain they are comorbid symptoms of the aspergers but the spec ed dir wants to act like he doesn't believe me and we are " shopping for diagnsoses"

On Tues at IEP meeting the team refused PT for toe curling walk at school and the therapist had not looked at his bleeding toes or Dr's script or private eval. My MRDD advocate pushed the point and the speci ed dir told us to go to mediation. I brought up the refusal to change category and he lost it shouting off my son's diagnoses one by one and asking what's next he has everything under the sun. I broke down and said he is my son you are talking about and I want him to have a good life, We exited the meeting me in tears and the team never speaking. This spec ed dir was so out of line. We did go to the super but I am so sickened by the process. My son is 8 and has alot more years in the district.

What do you suggest next? They want to meet next week with the super and spec ed and us.