This is a discussion of the issues surrounding a child that is high functioning on the autism spectrum, has a high IQ, and is educated in Pennsylvania. Education law is primarily written at the state level, so it makes an enormous difference which state we are talking about.
Parts of my personal experience will be explained, but more often I will explore general issues in these topics, raise questions that I can't figure out the answers to, and hopefully find others who are trying to get through similar situations.
Some of the topics to explore:
- The conundrum of being high functioning
- Parental control over treatment or non-treatment in school
- Complexity. So so so much complexity
- Treatment decision making in general
- Is ASD diagnosis Medical or Mental? And what are the implications?
- Writing difficulties are evident, yet they seem atypical
- What issues do we solve now, and what can wait?
- PA State law changes and implications
- Why gifted is hard to manage in school age children
- Appropriate advocacy
- Finding a reasonable way to manage a family touched by autism
- Sibling experiences
- All kinds of testing
- Things that happen to parents of kids in special education.
Let me know if you can relate.
