Author: Lindsey Parsons

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disability that affects millions of children and adults across the United States. Students diagnosed with ASD are often times placed in special education programs and given Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to provide them an appropriate education within the American public education system. This study seeks to identify the types of special education services students on the autism spectrum receive through the public school system, but more importantly, research the ways in which those services are delivered: either via district employed staff or via outside contract. Three Virginia school districts were selected for analysis and special education coordinators from each district were invited to participate in in-depth interviews about the district’s decision making process regarding the delivery of services for students with ASD. The study found that most districts deliver special education services using full-time staff, and that these decisions are largely based on student need and districts resources. The interview data also suggested some disagreement about whether services differ when provided by full-time staff versus outside contract, as well as highlighted the importance of district leadership in creating a supportive environment in which special education service delivery decisions are made. The findings will help educational researchers better understand district decision-making about service delivery for students with ASD and hopefully prompt future studies that expand upon the scope and limitations of this study.--Abstract