Top Autism Education Books
IEPs, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Extended School Year & More
Jul 13, 2009
As young children on the autism spectrum age out of early intervention and enter the school system, parents are often faced with a new set of challenges. Parents must quickly learn about individualized education plans (IEPS), mainstream or self-contained classrooms, functional behavioral analysis and much more.
Parents are often their child’s best advocates. By taking the time to learn about how children with autism are served by the educational system, parents are doing their child a great service and the transition into the school system will likely be easier on all involved. The following books will provide parents with a solid basis from which they can advocate for their child’s unique educational needs.
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law
Pete and Pam Wright travel the country presenting seminars on special education law. Their conferences allow parents and professionals to learn more about IDEA 2004, 504 Plans, No Child Left Behind, and other legal aspects of special education.
In their book, Wrightslaw: Special Education Law, the Wrights discuss the changes made in IDEA 2004, discuss other federal special education statutes, provide a history of special education law in the United States, and take a look at some of the nation’s more prominent special education law cases.
Although the book isn’t specific to autism issues, it is an important primer for any parent with a child in the special education system.
Autism: Asserting Your Child’s Rights to a Special Education
David Sherman, author of Autism: Asserting Your Child’s Rights to a Special Education, provides readers with an introduction to special education law. However, Sherman looks at issues specific to educating children on the autism spectrum.
Parents that are seeking information on the least restrictive environment (LRE) setting for their child with autism, obtaining adequate educational assessments, securing extended school year instruction, and avoiding mislabeling will find Sherman’s book helpful.
In addition to the autism-specific special education issues covered, Sherman also provides a comprehensive set of example forms. These forms can be used to request an initial assessment, file a complaint, request test results, and much more.
Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew
Although this book is geared towards teachers, parents and autism professionals will find it helpful. Parents of children with autism know that every moment is a teaching moment, even outside of the classroom. In Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew, Ellen Notbohm provides an intimate look at autism from the student’s perspective.
Although all of these books aren’t specific to autism educational issues, children with autism are served through the country’s special education system. A comprehensive understanding of the laws that govern the school’s is an integral part to ensuring the best educational setting for children on the autism spectrum.
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