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Autism Spectrum Disorder Information

Purpose of Regional Inclusive Services

Oregon's 13,000+ students who experience visual impairment, orthopedic impairment, deafness or hard of hearing, deaf-blindness, traumatic brain injury and/or autism spectrum disorder need an appropriate and accessible education in their home school district. Regional Inclusive Services provides training, technical tools, and additional support to educators so that all school districts, no matter their size or location, can deliver an inclusive education.

Regional Inclusive Services recently changed its name from Regional Programs to more specifically and accurately describe its function. Inclusive practices ensure that students with disabilities have opportunities to learn alongside their nondisabled peers in their neighborhood schools and communities. The statewide program consists of the Oregon Department of Education and several education service districts, school districts and other community agencies who work in partnership to ensure educators and schools across Oregon are equipped with the tools, skills and resources to deliver an accessible education for all children.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is both a category under which children may receive special education services and a medical condition. It is important for parents and caregivers to understand that there is a distinction between an educational eligibility for special education under the category of ASD and a medical diagnosis of ASD based upon criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A medical diagnosis of ASD does not automatically mean a child with meet the educational criteria, and vice versa.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Regional Inclusive Services Teams

ASD Criteria and Evaluation Component Revisions

In June of 2018, the State Board of Education approved revisions to OARs 581-015-2130 (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and 581-015-2000 (Definitions). These OAR revisions take effect on 1-1-2019.

These OAR revisions resulted in a refine list of comprehensive evaluation components as well as revised ASD eligibility criteria.

Training

Oregon’s Regional Inclusive Services

Each regional inclusive services team in the state provides professional development in the areas of evaluation and eligibility determination as well as the implementation of evidence-based practices for children age 0-to-21. For more information, visit the regional inclusive services team website for your area (see list of links above).

The LEAP Preschool Model

The Oregon Department of Education has partnered with Multnomah Early Childhood Program/David Douglas School District and Columbia Regional Program to implement the LEAP Preschool Model in several preschool classrooms. This research-supported comprehensive treatment model (CTM) emphasizes the inclusion of children with ASD among typically developing peers who have been trained to support peers with social-communication impairments. Peer mediated intervention is used alongside several other evidence-based practices.

Oregon Regional Autism Model Training Sites (ORPATS)

The Oregon Department of Education in collaboration with STAR Autism Support, Inc., and Northwest ESD are continuing the development of a statewide network of Oregon Autism Training Sites. The OrPATS training sites implement a combination of evidence-based strategies (including ABA) that provide a proactive approach to individualizing services for children with ASD. Through a system of regional workshops and follow-up, hands-on training in an OrPATS training site, staff receive quality training to implement evidence-based practices for working with students with autism. By building state and local capacity through a systematic training protocol, large numbers of staff can be more thoroughly trained in an efficient, research-based replicable model.

Get the latest workshop schedule and registration information at:
OrPATS Scheduled Workshops
In addition to these workshops the OrPATS project has also established a network of training sites throughout the state. The training sites are available for teachers and related service staff to visit. Contact information is available on the OrPATS website at: OrPATS.

  • STAR Autism Support

    Strategies for Teaching Based on Autism Research.

  • The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder

    The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders is a multi-university center to promote the use of evidence-based practice for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

  • Autism Internet Modules (AIM)

    The AIM project will develop a series of 60 modules by the time the project is complete on topics including assessment and identification, characteristics, evidence-based practices and interventions, transition to adulthood, and employment. Module authors include experts on ASD from across the nation.

  • Autism Speaks: Video Glossary

    ASD Video Glossary, an innovative web-based tool designed to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

  • Parent Screening Tool

    A parent screening tool developed by University of Oregon’s College of Education Early Intervention Program about child development from birth to 5 ½ years.

Oregon Department of Education Disclaimer

These projects have been developed in whole or in part with contract funds from the Oregon Department of Education, Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities. This funding does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement by the Oregon Department of Education.

Resources

Contact:

Georgeann Harty