Legal Issues concerning Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Children and youth with autism often present special challenges to the educational system. Issues related to these challenges are reflected in court cases involving these students and those charged with providing services. Much of the litigation of the past few years has been related to appropriate educational placement, extended school year services, the use of aversive contingencies to central aberrant behavior, and the use of specific forms of augmentative communication (i.e., facilitated communication). This article examines recent ruling in these areas and their implications for the education of children with autism.