Supporting Secondary Students with Disabilities in an Inclusive Environment

Definition

ASD is “a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three, that adversely affects educational performance. Characteristics often associated with autism are engaging in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to changes in daily routines or the environment, and unusual responses to sensory experiences” (34 IDEA §300.8 [c] [1], 2004).

Prevalence

Approximately 7% of children receiving special education services are receiving services for autism (Kena et al., 2014). This exceptionality is considered a high-risk disability, meaning a secondary teacher will probably see this type of disability in his or her classroom.

ASD covers a spectrum of disorders. Of these disorders, probably the most prevalent, and the one that will most likely be encountered in the general education classroom, is Asperger’s Syndrome. Students with Asperger’s tend to have very high IQs and can verbalize. An example of this type of student is the character Dustin Hoffman played in the movie Rain Man.