Autism Spectrum Disorder: Assessment in Schools

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with social and behavioral symptoms occurring across a continuum of severity. Symptoms impact health, education, activities of daily living, and independence. In some cases, developmental differences in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors are apparent at very young ages and help is sought from health care or early intervention systems. In others, symptoms are less pronounced and questions about ASD may not arise until a child enters the educational system. This entry first discusses the distinctions between the diagnosis of ASD in health care settings and assessment in schools. It then discusses the autism classification in education, components of a school-based autism assessment, alternatives to a classification of autism, and guidelines for bilingual and culturally competent assessment ...