Thursday, May 2, 2024
The DPI is updating resources related to assessment procedures to accurately identify students with autism through a comprehensive special education evaluation. The guidelines for how to apply the criteria to identify a student with autism, aligned with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) evaluation procedures, are being updated to better align with current best practices and understanding about students with autism. The update allows the DPI to include language that is asset- and strength-based, culturally responsive and respectful, and neuro-affirming. The current autism assessment guide can be found by following the link to Criteria Guidelines: Autism.
These revisions are only to update additional resources to assist Individualized Education Program teams with interpreting the criteria and utilizing assessments to identify students with autism for the current criteria found in PI 11.36(8). The DPI is not proposing changes to the criteria outlined in PI 11.36(8), which requires legislative and gubernatorial approval.
The DPI is seeking feedback on what to include in the updates to the criteria guidelines. If you would like to provide input, please complete the survey by following the link to the Survey for Updates to Criteria Guidelines: Autism. The survey will be open until May 31, 2024.