Autistic Support
Chapter 14 Regulations define Autism as a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interactions, generally evident before age 3, adversely affecting a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement and repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. The term does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disturbance, as defined under emotional disturbance [§300.7 (b)(4)]. The term "autism" is categorized under the spectrum of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, along with: Asperger's Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Not Otherwise Specified.
The Autistic Support classrooms provide specially designed instruction to students in need of a program that is highly structured with a special emphasis on social skills training and emotional regulation. The program focuses on a strong speech and language component which encourages the development of independence and self-sufficiency in the areas of academics, communication, functional skills, vocational skills, leisure activities, social skills, and community-based instruction.
In order to develop independent skills, a wide variety of research-based methodologies and techniques based on individual student need are used:
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Structured teaching
- Sensory integration
- Task analysis
- Social skills training
- And many facets of the TEACCH approach
| Location | Contact Person | Type of Service | Multi-District vs. District only | Age Range | Max. Num. of Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentworth — Bentworth Elementary | Connie McBroom | Full Time | Multi-District | 5–10 | 8 |
| Bentworth — Bentworth Middle | Connie McBroom | Full Time | Multi-District | 10–14 | 8 |
| Canon-McMillan — Borland Manor Elementary | Leigh Dennick | Full Time | Multi-District | 6–9 | 8 |
| Connellsville — Connellsville Jr. High East | Lisa Hampe | Full Time | Multi-District | 13–17 | 8 |
| Central Greene — IU1 Campus at East Franklin | Nicole Morris | Full Time | Multi-District | 6–11 | 8 |
| Laurel Highlands — Hutchinson Elementary | Lisa Hampe | Full Time | Multi-District | 6–10 | 8 |
| Southeastern Greene — Bobtown Elementary | Lisa Hampe | Full Time | Multi-District | 5–9 | 8 |
| Southeastern Greene — Bobtown Elementary | Lisa Hampe | Full Time | Multi-District | 9–11 | 8 |
| Trinity — Trinity West Elementary | Elaina Zitney | Full Time | Multi-District | 5–11 | 8 |
| Trinity — Trinity Middle | Elaina Zitney | Full Time | Multi-District | 11–15 | 8 |
| Trinity — Trinity High | Elaina Zitney | Full Time | Multi-District | 15–21 | 8 |
| Trinity — IU1 Campus at Laboratory | Elaina Zitney | Full Time | Multi-District | 15–21 | 8 |
| Washington — Washington Park Elementary | Elaina Zitney | Full Time | Multi-District | 6–9 | 8 |
