MOFEAT - New Families - Medical Diagnosis and Special Ed Qualificiations


	Warning Signs



	What is Autism?



	How is Autism Diagnosed?



	Alphabet Soup

Checklist for families with a

newly diagnosed child

Download a copy of the MO-FEAT resource directory to assist with the following steps:

Download a copy of the First 100 Days kit from Autism Speaks
Locate a local support group
Contact your regional office of the Department of Mental Health
Contact your school district about an evaluation
Educate yourself on autism and special education
Consider applying for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Access respite care
Begin estate planning
Conside rthe needs of other family members


	New Families Medical Diagnosis of Autism and Qualification for Special Education Services A medical diagnosis of Autism is made by a pediatric neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other health-care professional. The criteria are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR) of the American Psychiatric Association. A special education evaluation is conducted by the school to determine whether the student qualifies for special services under the educational category of autism, or under any other category. The federal special education law (IDEA 2004) requires that a child meet certain criteria to be “eligible for special education in public schools.” The educational definition of Autism for Missouri is defined on page 20 of this document http://www.dese.mo.gov/divspeced/Compliance/documents/MCP-FullVersion.pdf. The evaluation team consists of school diagnosticians, teachers, the parents, and any other people involved in the child's life that the family would like to invite. The team is required to consider any doctor or therapist reports or other medical diagnoses that the family wishes to share with the team. However, they are not required to automatically qualify a child for special education simply because the child has a medical diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder made by a physician or psychologist. The reason for the differing definitions is that some children with a medical diagnosis of Autism may not require special education services. The opposite is also true: Some children may meet the eligibility criteria of educational Autism even though they do not have a medical diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. If you need help understanding how special education works in Missouri, contact MPACT (Missouri Parent's Act) at 1-800-743-7634. MPACT http://www.ptimpact.com The 10 Basic Steps in Special Education http://www.nichcy.org/EducateChildren/Steps/Pages/default.aspx All About the IEP http://www.nichcy.org/EducateChildren/IEP/Pages/default.aspx < back