The Importance of an Appropriate Education

While autism affects each child differently, most children with autism do not learn like typically developing children, by observing and imitating what they hear and see others say and do. Children with autism lack the internal mechanism by which typical children learn how to communicate, behave and play. Therefore, they must “learn how to learn.” As a result, the single most important intervention for an a child with autism is a highly structured, specialized, intensive education plan.

The Autism Education Network is dedicated to navigating its members through the myriad of special education topics and issues so that all children with autism can reach their full potential. The Network provides many helpful resources to guide both parents and professionals through various topics like diagnosing autism, special education, as well as developing appropriate and effective special education services for children with autism including children under three years of age known as an Individual Family Service Plans Individual Education Plan (IFSP) and children over three years of age known as an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Our book list, located in the resources section, is carefully selected by parents of children with autism . A few of our recommended books include:

Educating Children With Autism
National Research Council

Autism Law: A Parent's Guide to Federal and California Special Education Law
Jill G. Escher, Esq.

Wrightslaw: Special Education Law
Peter W. D. Wright, Pamela Darr Wright

Ensuring appropriate effective education services for children with autism means first and foremost, educating ourselves and each other. Our network is made of parents and professionals just like you—people committed to working together in small communities and electronically through the Internet in order to create solutions.

Until we find a cure, education is our best hope.