DOCUMENT RESUME ED 450 532 EC 308 290 TITLE The Colorado Autism Manual for Teachers, Service-Providers and Parents. INSTITUTION Colorado State Dept. of Education, Denver. PUB DATE 2000-06-00 NOTE 178p.; Developed by the Colorado Autism Task Force. AVAILABLE FROM Colorado State Dept. of Education, State Library and Adult Education Office, 201 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80203; Web site: http://www.cde.state.co.us. PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom (055) Reference Materials Directories /Catalogs (132) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC08 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Autism; Classification; *Early Identification; *Early Intervention; Elementary Education; *Eligibility; Infants; Preschool Children; Preschool Education; Special Education; *Student Characteristics; Student Rights; *Symptoms (Individual Disorders) IDENTIFIERS Colorado ABSTRACT This manual provides information on autism to enable Colorado parents and educators to recognize early symptoms in children and to provide for early intervention. Section 1 of the manual provides an introduction to the Colorado Autism Task Force, lists participants in the task force, explains the guiding principles for development of educational services for children with autism, and lists members of the Colorado Board of Education. Section 2 provides an introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder, the federal definition of autism, Colorado eligibility criteria for autistic disorders, and possible early indicators of autism. The following section discusses recommended training components for service providers and families and intervention approaches for autism. An annotated bibliography on resources on autism is provided, along with a list of national contacts and references on autism in young children, Colorado autism resources, on-line resources, books and literature, and a glossary of terms. Section 4 discusses funding resources, including Medicaid and health insurance. The final section provides Colorado general special education information. This section includes a communication log form, an explanation of educational rights for parents in English and Spanish, a legal center order form, and parent publications listing different resources. (CR) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. The Colorado Autism Manual for Teachers, Service-Providers and Parents Developed by the. Colorado Autism Task Force June, 2000 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) cKhisdocument has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY 0 scA4- TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) BEST COPY AVAILABLE 2 The Colorado Autism Manual for Teachers, Service-Providers and Parents Developed by the Colorado Autism Task Force June, 2000 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction to the Autism Manual Introduction to the Colorado Autism Task Force Participants in the Colorado Autism Task Force Guiding Principles for Development of Educational Services for Children with Autism Colorado Board of Education Section 2: Introduction to Autism Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder The Federal Definition of Autism Colorado Eligibility Criteria for Autism DSM-IV Criteria for Autistic Disorder Possible Early Indicators of Autism Section 3: National and State Autism Resources Recommended Training Components for Service-Providers and Families Intervention Approaches to Autism Spectrum Disorder Annotated Bibliography on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NEC*TAS) National Contacts and References on Autism Spectrum Disorder in Early Childhood (NEC*TAS) Colorado Autism Resources On-Line Resources Books and Literature Glossary of Terms Section 4: Funding Resources Medicaid Health Insurance Section 5: Colorado General Special Education Information Communication Log Educational Rights for Parents (in English and Spanish) Legal Center Order Form PEAK Publications Start Here! A Guide to Resources and Services for Families of Children with Disabilities Planning Matrix Other brochures and publications Introduction to the Colorado Autism Task Force The Colorado Autism Task Force is composed of individuals representing the Colorado Department of Education, school administrators and teachers, academic professionals, service providers,parents of children with autism, advocates for children with autism and individuals who have autism. The goal of the Task Force is to establish guidelines for the education of people with autism in thestate of Colorado. The first meeting of the Task Force was held in October of 1998, at which time the following goals were established. The goals were to: Establish greater public awareness of autism in general. Establish the foundation for a network of statewide resources regarding autism. Provide information about services to parents and service providers. Identify guidelines for measurable educational and instructional goals thatcan be used by members of the education community for serving children with autism. Establish a set of guiding principles for serving children with autism. Establish a set of guiding principles for the training of educational service providers andparents. This manual was developed to provide a range of resources and choices for educators,parents and/or advocates of students who have autism. The information in this manualwas compiled with input from many individuals who parent, teach and work with children with autism; their assistance and insights were invaluable. It should be noted that the Colorado Department of Education does not endorseany one strategy or methodology that is included in this manual. Participants in the Colorado Autism Task Force Darcy Allen-Young Cherry Creek School District Colorado Department of Education Sally Rogers, Ph.D. Jane L. Amundson University of Colorado Health Sciences Center Colorado Department of Education Cynthia Rose Eileen Balcerak Denver Public Schools Poudre R-1 School District Patrick Rydell, Ph.D. Robin Brewer Rocky Mountain Autism Services Colorado Department of Education Joe Schiappacasse Tesa Bunsen, Ph.D. Colorado Division of Developmental Disabilities University of Northern Colorado Marietta Sears Rosemary Cullain San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Sheridan School District Services Kathryn Daniels Alison Seyler Boulder Valley Public Schools PEAK Parent Center Laura Douglas Phil Strain, Ph.D. Colorado Department of Education University of Colorado at Denver Lucinda Hundley Mama Thompson Littleton Public Schools Parent/Partners in Leadership Barbara Ku lton Romie Tobin Task Force Facilitator Colorado Department of Education Barbara Malone Melissa Waggoner Private Therapist Cherry Creek Schools Carol Meredith Gail Whitman ARC of Arapahoe/Douglas Counties Douglas County Schools Tom Patton David Windsor Colorado Department of Education Individual with autism Donna Wittmer University of Colorado at Denver Dixie Penman Guiding Principles for the Development of Educational Services for Children with Autism The Colorado Autism Task Force has adopted several guiding principles thatare reflected in this document. The Task Force strongly recommends and advocates that: There be collaboration between family and educational systems for the benefit of the child. The child's (and parents') culture(s) be recognized and respected. Services and supports for the child be individualized. Services and supports be based on experience and research that meet recognized scientific and academic standards (i.e., academic peer review). Each child be taught with a curriculum that is age-appropriate, individually appropriate and culturally appropriate. Colorado Board of Education Clair On, Chairman Randy De Hoff 4th Congressional District 6th Congressional District Kersey, Colorado Littleton, Colorado Patricia M. Chlouber, Vice Chairman Patti Johnson 3rd Congressional District 2nd Congressional District Leadville, Colorado Broomfield, Colorado Ben L. Alexander Gully Standford Member-at-Large 1st Congressional District Montrose, Colorado Denver, Colorado John Burnett 5th Congressional District Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Autism Task Force Colorado Department of Education 201 E. Colfax Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-6694 www.cde.state.co.us Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder The Colorado Autism Task Force has adoptedan operational definition of autism for the purpose of creating guiding principles for serving children with autism. The Diagnostic and StatisticsManual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) includes five subcategories of autism: Autistic Disorder Pervasive Development Disorder Asperger's Disorder Rett's Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Based on the DSM-IV, the term "autism" is broadly used in this manualto refer to the spectrum of autism, which includes the following general characteristics: Difficulties in social interaction, Difficulties in communication, and Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest and activities. The Federal Definition of Autism The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines autismas "A developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction, generallyevident before age three, that adversely affects a child's educational performance." Other characteristics