Meeting the needs of a learner with an autism
spectrum disorder requires specialized expertiseAssessing
the extent to which a potential program or classroom meets
a child’s needs is a source of serious challenge for parents
and professionals alike. Indeed, identifying, prioritizing
and agreeing upon the child’s needs are complex questions
for which there are no clear and straightforward answers.
The process of establishing a match between a student and
a placement must explore several primary dimensions:
child, setting, and instructor variables, treatment philosophy
and strategies, assessment and evaluation, and family
needs and involvement. Additionally, there is a great deal
of complexity considering how to interpret, integrate and
apply empirical research findings and prominent professional
opinions to develop sound and practical solutions.
Discussion and agreement about the importance of each of
these factors and how they apply in a specific situation
forms the foundation of an interactive dialogue between
service providers and families to create a ‘‘best fit’’
between student and program