Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

TEACHING AND LEARNING PRESENTATION

Focus on Student Achievement: Autism Spectrum Disorders (Exceptional Student Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a category of developmental disabilities in which a developmental impairment is present in the areas of communication, social interaction, and patterns of behavior (i.e., restricted interests/repetitive behaviors). ASDs include Autism, Asperger syndrome, Child Disintegrative Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder- Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and Rett syndrome, with Autism (often referred to as “classic autism”) being the most common disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (2007), 1 in 150 children will have an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The School District of Hillsborough County (SDHC) currently serves over 500 students whose primary exceptional student education eligibility category is Autism. This number of students is in addition to the several dozens more currently being served primarily by our general education program. Our District currently has 81 full-time classrooms for educating students on the Autism Spectrum, which serve students at the elementary, middle, high school, and exceptional center levels.

April was “Autism Awareness” month and the districtwide campaign encouraged all schools to participate. Our District did a wonderful job in developing and implementing positive and creative Autism Awareness activities.

In addition to Autism Awareness Month activities in April, students on the Autism Spectrum have shared their talents and strengths in a variety of settings. We have students making significant gains in communication, socialization, academic and independent skills. Achievement for our students on the Autism Spectrum have included, increased performance on FCAT assessment and alternate assessment, saying their first words, ordering and purchasing items within the community, and participating in extracurricular activities (i.e. school plays, school bands, Special Olympics).

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

All activities for "Autism Awareness" month were supported through the Exceptional Student Education budget.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Glenda Koshy, Supervisor, Autism Spectrum Disorders

Wynne A. Tye
General Director, Exceptional Student Education
(813) 273-7025
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070508_241 * Section D Item# 1