Advocacy Education 

Georgia
The Emory Autism Resource Center (EARC) is a University-based program for children adolescents and adults with autism and related disorders, their families, and professionals and agencies that serve them. The Center opened in 1991 as a public, private and university collaboration. Since opening, the EARC has become a model for diagnosis, family support, innovative treatment and a vital source for professional training. This program provides treatment and consultative services which strive to promote full community participation for persons with autism.

The Family Support Program provides support and education about the disorder, the range of outcomes and treatment options at initial diagnosis. Parents and other family members are taught the specialized teaching strategies that enable them to contribute to the person’s learning at home and in their community. This program interrelates with other EARC programs to optimize patient outcome. The program continues to increase its service delivery annually serving over 350 families annually with over 100 sessions per month. In addition to individual sessions the Program also organizes programs for parents not only at the EARC but across Georgia. Topics include such things as toilet training, supported employment, inclusion, autism information for grandparents, life after high school, kindergarten readiness, etc.

Emory University School of Medicine
Emory Autism Center
The Justin Tyler Truax Building
1551 Shoup Court
Atlanta, Georgia 30322
(404) 727-8350 - ofc
(404) 727-3969 - fax

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8am-6pm

http://www.psychiatry.emory.edu/clinicalsitesemoryuniversityautismcenter.htm

Laws Impacting Your Child With Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that guarantees a free and appropriate public education for every child with a disability. This means that if you enroll your child in public school, his education should be free, and it should be appropriate for his age, ability and developmental level. IDEA is an amended version of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142), passed in 1975. In 1997, IDEA was reauthorized (P.L. 105-17), further defining children's rights to educational services and strengthening the role of parents in the educational planning process for their children.

The IDEA sets up procedural guidelines to ensure a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment tailored to each child's individual needs. The law begins with the assumption that, to the maximum extent possible, children with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers. Once the child's needs are assessed, and necessary services and supports are determined, the placement options should begin with the regular or inclusive classroom. Children with disabilities do not have to start in a more restrictive or separate class then "earn" the right to move to a less restrictive placement. If it is found that a regular education classroom would not meet the child's needs, even with support services, then another option may be pursued. Keep in mind that the child with a disability must benefit from the placement. The child should not be "dumped" in a classroom where the child is not receiving an appropriate education.

The law specifies that educational placement should be determined individually for each child, based on that child's specific needs, not solely on the diagnosis or category. No one program or amount of services is appropriate for all children with disabilities. A safe educational environment is important for all children. School safety concerns are addressed in IDEA. Educational services cannot be withheld as a disciplinary remedy. While students with disabilities may be suspended for disciplinary concerns that would also apply to general education students, educational services must continue at all times, even when a student is expelled for behavior not associated with his disability.

Two other laws that impact students with disabilities are the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1994 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of a student's educational records and outlines inspection and release of information. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability by an agency receiving federal funds.

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written document that outlines an individual's education. As the name implies, the educational program should be tailored to the individual student to provide educational benefit.