ir, or go to a specialized school where they will learn with other children with autism. Some of the other most common symptoms of autism are repeated body movement, self-mutilation, and possibly an expressionless face. With many of these symptoms, it is hard for people to decide weather it is right to send the child to a public school, or a specialized school.The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that public schools must educate children with disabilities along with children who have no disabilities “to the maximum extent appropriate.”(Dowling-Sendor pg.1) In the statement before, the words maximum extent express Congress’ strong preference for mainstreaming. The term mainstreaming is used as a means of achieving whatever level of inclusion is felt to be the best for the student and the class. Placement for children with autism involves a combination of educational settings, which is the best learning setting for the student. Mainstreaming is the practice placing students who have been segregated into regular curriculum with student who haven’t been segregated. (Dorsi pg.1) Some other terms used in place of mainstreaming are full inclusion, and inclusion. Full inclusion is the practice of teaching all children in neighborhood classrooms and schools and assume no segregation for any purpose. (Dorsi pg.1) Inclusion involves that the student is never segregated for special education. (Dorsi pg.1) In the federal district courts, they will take cases and look at the child and see what is the best way for this child to learn and then make a ruling on what is going to be the best for, not only the child, but also for the other students and teachers. They have stated in many cases that school districts “simply do not take enough appropriate steps to include students in the regular classes.”(Dorsi pg.3) The courts stated that the schools need to “address the academic ...
