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  • Essay / Special Education for Students on the Autism Spectrum...

    From the moment our children enter a public school, its primary effort is directed toward teaching students academic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics and science. Teaching students functional adult skills is not a priority in public schools, but acquiring these skills is vital for all children to succeed in their future adult lives. Most students learn functional skills through their social interactions with other people, reading books, listening to the media, and participating in different community activities. On the other hand, students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) need specially designed instruction and additional support to successfully transition to adult life. Recognizing this fact, IDEA 2004 mandates public schools to facilitate the process of transition from school to adult life for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). disabilities. Teresa Foden and Connie Anderson (2011) highlight the growing evidence of family dissatisfaction with the realities of the public school-led transition process. According to parents, their children have little influence in planning their future lives and setting goals; schools make false assumptions about their children and set goals that do not meet their needs. Very often, these goals are vague and it is not clear what services will be provided or who is responsible for helping students achieve their goals. School districts also tend to provide traditional services to students, whether appropriate or not. Parents' complaints are supported by the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) report, stating that compared to children with other disabilities, children with autistic disorders are less likely to participate meaningfully in the transition . Twe...... middle of article ......d from http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/adults/autism_beyond_high_school2. Asperger's Network Support for Wellbeing, Education and Research (2014). Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.aspergersmn.org/what-is-aspergers/statistics.3. Autism transition manual. Transition planning during the school year (2014). Retrieved from http://autismhandbook.org/index.php/Transition_Planning_during_the_School_Years_Overview4. Merrill, A. (2013). Supporting young people with autism spectrum disorders throughout the postsecondary transition. The Journalist 18(1).5. Heasley. S. (August 5, 2013) With training, most with jobs in the autism field. Scoop on disability. Retrieved from http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/08/05/with-training-jobs/18446/6. Shore, S. (ed.) (2004). Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum. Shawnee Mission, KA: Autism Asperger Publishing Co.