VIRGINIA BEACH
The number of students with autism in Virginia Beach schools has more than doubled in the past five years.
Although they are just a fraction of the system's 10,000 special-education students, the 358 students with autism - a neurological disorder that affects social interactions, communication and behavior - require intensive services.
As a result, school administrators have asked for about 16 new teachers to help with autism and inclusion classes, where children with special needs attend regular lessons.
That would be the largest block of new jobs in any school department.
The Beach's growth in autistic students from 2001 to 2006 was the fastest among the five cities in South Hampton Roads. Preliminary data show a jump of an additional 50 students for 2007. Norfolk also saw its number of students with autism more than double to 212 students over the same period.
"We've seen a trend nationwide," said JoAnna Bryant, president of the Tidewater chapter of the Autism Society of America. "Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with autism in the United States."
The Virginia Beach School Board, currently drawing up its $725 million budget for 2008-09, has made improving special-education offerings a goal. The new positions would cost about $700,000.
"I'm just glad to see some money set aside for special education," said Board Chairman Dan Edwards. He said the results of a school division audit of special-education programs could point to different priorities.
But autism services seem to be near the top of the list, if a recent community forum conducted by the auditors is a guide. Written comments called for Virginia Beach schools to increase the number of teachers trained to deal with autism.
The new positions were announced about a week later.
Samantha Gregg, parent of a son with autism, said it's a necessary step. "They learn differently," she said. "The schools are recognizing something needs to be done.
"Has it taken a while? Yes. But they've taken the initiative."
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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Special Needs
It is imperative that we as a nation realize that autism has become an epidemic, and we have to counter the problems with major solutions, such as specialized teams of educators. The autistic children will benefit from this new team of teachers because they can be dealt with on an individual level and be able to focus on each child’s needs. The educators will not just benefit the particular students that they teach, but also the rest of the schools. The classrooms will most likely see a decrease in disruption from students and mainstream educators will be able to better carry out their job. More cities should make special education higher in their priorities so special needs children can evolve and learn as well as the traditional students. Special needs children deserve an adequate education just as much as other students.
What about the teacher training?
Since there is no autism certification in VA, what kind of training will the teachers have? If they are not appropriately trained, what good will they do?
Also, will the students for these teachers have to have the Autism sped classification, or simply an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis? Many students with an ASD are NOT classified as Autism. They are classified as Emotionally Disturbed or Other Health Impaired or Learning Disabled (or possibly other classifications, also).
come to par with students with learning disabilities
I believe every school system needs to come to par with students with learning disabilities. I attend schools in Chesapeake in the 80s and 90s and was diagnosed with a reading and writing disability in the first grade, they didn’t have a special education teacher at the time and relied on parent volunteers to come in to the class while the other students were out playing/ or at lunch to help me learn to read/write. Maybe once every week I would have someone come and help me to read/ write but it was rare. It took me till the 4th grade to ever have a special education teacher to help and believe I was passed long ever grade just so teacher wouldn’t have to deal with me again. Still from 4th grade thur 7th grade I was in special education classes but it was rare to receive one on one help. By the time I was half way thur 7th grade I was only reading and writing on a 2nd grade level. Halfway thur my 7th grade year I met a teacher that would forever change my life and many of the students I was in special education with since the 4th grade. With the time and help I received from her I improved my reading and writing to a 5th-6th grade level in just six months with her. The Va pilot
Autism & Green Run Elementary
Here's a thought.....for kids that are diagnosed w/ Autism or in the "Autism Spectrum" the Special Ed (SPED) Program needs to be longer than 1/2 day. PRE-K and Kindergarden classes at Green Run Elem.(VB) should be going ALL DAY. The SOL demands for these students to learn 2nd grade studies at a Kindergarden level is absurdly rediculous. How can you expect a Pre-K and Kindergardner to absorb and learn what they have do being in class for 1/2 day? It's just not feasible and almost impossible. Green Run Elem. (and other VB Public Schools) need to STEP UP to the plate...offer ALL DAY PRE-K and Kindergarden classes. With children diagnosed with Learning Disabilities, Autism or Special Needs....the learning STARTS in PRE-K and Kindergarden so if the VBPS System expects these children to be "at grade level" you can't expect "at grade level" when you have 1/2 day Pre-K and Kindergarden.
It should be interesting to see how VBPS System assists the needs for children with Special Needs (starting next year).