Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics that may be associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Essential features are typically but not necessarily manifested before age three. Autism may include autism spectrum disorders such as but not limited to autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, and Asperger's syndrome. The term does not apply if a child's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disturbance. However, a child who qualifies for special education under the category of autism may also have an emotional disturbance as a secondary disability if the child meets the criteria under emotional disturbance. OAR 581-015-2000(4)(a)

OAR 581-015-2130 Autism Spectrum Disorder Eligibility Criteria
(1) If a child is suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder, the following evaluation must be conducted:
   (a) Developmental profile. A developmental profile that describes the child's historical and current characteristics that are associated with an autism spectrum disorder, including:
    (A) Impairments in communication;
    (B) Impairments in social interaction;
    (C) Patterns of behavior, interests or activities that are restricted, repetitive, or stereotypic; and
    (D) Unusual responses to sensory experiences.
   (b) Observations. At least three observations of the child's behavior, at least one of which involves direct interactions with the child. The observations must occur in multiple environments, on at least two different days, and be completed by one or more licensed professionals knowledgeable about the behavioral characteristics of autism spectrum disorder.
   (c) Communication assessment. An assessment of communication to address the communication characteristics of autism spectrum disorder, including measures of language semantics and pragmatics completed by a speech and language pathologist licensed by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology or the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission;
   (d) Medical or health assessment statement. A medical statement or a health assessment statement indicating whether there are any physical factors that may be affecting the child's educational performance;
   (e) Behavior rating tool. An assessment using an appropriate behavior rating tool or an alternative assessment instrument that identifies characteristics associated with an autism spectrum disorder.
   (f) Other.
    (A) Any additional assessments necessary to determine the impact of the suspected disability:
     (i) On the child's educational performance for a school-age child; or
     (ii) On the child's developmental progress for a preschool child; and
    (B) Any additional evaluations or assessments necessary to identify the child's educational needs.
(2) To be eligible as a child with an autism spectrum disorder, the child must meet all of the following minimum criteria:
   (a) The team must have documented evidence that the child demonstrates all of the characteristics listed under subsection (1)(a). Each of these characteristics must be:
    (A) Characteristic of an autism spectrum disorder;
    (B) Inconsistent or discrepant with the child's development in other areas; and
    (C) Documented over time and/or intensity.
(3) For a child to be eligible for special education services as a child with an autism spectrum disorder, the eligibility team must also determine that:
   (a) The child's disability has an adverse impact on the child's educational performance; and
   (b) The child needs special education services as a result of the disability.
(4) A child may not be eligible for special education services on the basis of an autism spectrum disorder if the child's primary disability is an emotional disturbance under OAR 581-015-2145. However, a child with autism spectrum disorder as a primary disability may also have an emotional disturbance as a secondary disability.

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