Social Communication Resources and Services
A support program within AISD

Getting an AISD Autism Referral

For a student currently eligible for AISD special education services based on a disability other than autism

If parents have received information indicating a diagnosis of Autism from a private agency or provider, they should bring their concerns to the school for consideration. The campus will make a determination whether the information supports going through the IMPACT process (see below) or if it should proceed directly to Re-evaluation Planning.

If the data supports the need for a Re-evaluation Planning Meeting, the team will determine what the suspected disability is and the scope of any needed evaluation. A Re-evaluation Planning Meeting may be held in conjunction with an ARD or in a meeting separate from the ARD. A Special Education Evaluation Services (SEES) staff member must be present at this meeting and will lead the discussion. If the committee agrees that further evaluation is required, the parents will be given Notice for Evaluation and asked to provide written Consent for Evaluation. When the evaluation is complete, the results will be reviewed with the parent and the school at an Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meeting.

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For a student not currently eligible for any special education services within AISD (no disability determination has been made)

If parents have reason to suspect that their child may have autistic characteristics or if they receive information indicating a diagnosis of Autism from a private agency or provider, they should bring their concerns to the school for consideration. The parents may request a meeting with the campus personnel to discuss their concerns and/or share the information from the private agency or provider. This discussion usually occurs in the context of an IMPACT team meeting, which is AISD's forum for addressing student need. The IMPACT team will discuss the suspected disability, the impact that the suspected disability has on learning, and the needs that the student may have which require services that can only be provided through special education (educational need). The team may then request a referral for a special education evaluation.

At the referral meeting, the committee reviews all existing data and determines the scope of the evaluation. A Special Education Evaluation Services (SEES) staff member must be present at this meeting and will lead the discussion. If the committee agrees with the evaluation recommendations, the parents will be given Notice for Evaluation and asked to provide written Consent for Evaluation. When the evaluation is complete, the results will be reviewed with the parent and the school at an Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meeting.

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