Autism Spectrum Disorder, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Case Law: Who Really Wins?

Abstract

The authors examined 62 court cases occurring in 2009 from the LexisNexis database regarding students, ages 3–21 years, with various forms of autism spectrum disorder and violations to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. They analyzed procedural and substantive violations to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the provision of a Free Appropriate Public Education. In addition, they compared results with earlier studies that have indicated an increase in cases overall and a trend from parents prevailing in earlier studies to school districts prevailing overall in recent years.