Anyone in VT - Education Forums! | Autism PDD

I read it too, and am VERY interested because I would love to move back to VT and do what I do here... teach in a self contained classroom just for students with ASD. At the moment, VT does not offer anything like this, and I think they should. I am not saying it is the perfect placement for all kids, but it should be an option that is available. I hope the decision makers in VT agree....

They will not have sped only classes here....they just wont.

They did- and got rid of them.....they do have alternative schools- but ONLY for the most extreme cases. Most kids are taught at their home school...with alot of support. They should have sped classes for some things- and don't- and won't per lots of higher ups. They don't want to 'house' them together.

NOW- some high schools seem to be geared for pretty needy kids in some districts- but alot of that is gearing to get the kids in the community, etc, etc....

I do wish Jer could be in a Math GROUP- but there is not a sped math group in our whole school. They pull him out and do 1:1 Math with him, and take him back to participate in the games and things he CAN do with the class.

Adulthood is what I am hearing alot about. They want to figure out how to serve adults better. My ears are open!

Autism forums begin tonight

September 17, 2007

By Daphne Larkin Times Argus Staff

MONTPELIER – Autism, a condition with no known cure, is a spectrum disorder that can present symptoms as individual as the person who has it – and that makes supporting those who have it very difficult, according to state officials.

That is why a series of forums have been scheduled to elicit input from the full range of interested parties from parents to educators on a Vermont plan to address the needs of those with autism, from schoolchildren through adulthood.

The first forum is scheduled for tonight in the Pavilion building on State Street.

"We're really hoping to get a wide range of views of what people would like to see in this plan," said Claire Bruno, of the Vermont Department of Education.

Autism spectrum disorders are a neurologically based developmental disorder that includes: Asperger's disorder; pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified; Rett's disorder; and childhood disintegrative disorder.

Bruno said the number of people identified with the disorders are increasing rapidly in Vermont and nationally.

The plan is a mandate of legislative Act 35, which was signed into law during the 2007 legislative session. It was introduced by Sen. Donald Collins, D-Swanton, chairman of the Senate Education Committee and a retired longtime educator.

As autism becomes more widely recognized in Vermont, schools and service providers are struggling to support those who have it, Collins said.

"The fastest growing group in special education is autism, and these are people needing services in school and for the rest of their lives," Collins said.

The plan is a way for the state "to address the issue in a more comprehensive way than before" through the Department of Education and the Vermont Department of Human Services.

"I really hope they can take some of the best practices and develop a plan, because it's costing us money, and we can take a proactive approach," Collins said. "It costs money either way."

The forums, hosted by those two state agencies, will pose a four-part question to find out what stakeholders would like to see from the state as far as supporting schoolchildren and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bruno said.

Identified in the 1940s, Autism is a disorder that presents a wide range of symptoms, Bruno said.

"All individuals are unique, so the planning and programming for each individual could be different," she said. "If you had 10 individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder, you might need to have 10 different plans."

Contact Daphne Larkin at (802) 479-0191 ext.1171 or daphne.larkin@timesargus.com. I was hoping that SOMEONE would need this article.

YES- me, me, me! I am here!!

I can't go- but I have sent my email to the people at the State.

Jeremy has excellent services here!

Thanks for remembering us little people here in VT.

Gail