Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Chapter Eight Planning Support for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Some aspects of the role of the school psychologist, as it pertains
to students who have ASD are to:
• provide informal consultation/support to teachers and
parents/guardians during the pre-referral stage and more formal
consultation throughout the SEP process
• conduct psychological/psychoeducational assessments as
warranted, ensuring that assessment information is current
• assist in interpreting learning patterns
• participate in discussion of strategies, curriculum, approaches,
services and supports required by the student
• assist in writing any component of the SEP for which s/he
has been assigned responsibility for implementation
• provide suggestions, resources and/or support to others
involved in developing the SEP
• implement those portions of the SEP for which s/he has been
designated responsible
• monitor and record the progress of the student as designated
• remain knowledgeable, when conducting assessments, about
special considerations for students with ASD, and the
implication of these considerations on assessment results
Guidance Counsellor
The guidance counsellor will often have information about the
student. S/he may be involved in comprehensive assessment of a
student with ASD. The guidance counsellor may be a member of
the SEP team.
Some aspects of the role of the guidance counsellor, as it pertains
to students who have ASD are to:
• provide the full range of counselling services
• provide informal consultation/support to teachers and
parents/guardians throughout the SEP process
• conduct individualized assessments, including career/vocational
assessment, as part of the SEP process, ensuring
that assessment information is current
• present data and interpret the results of assessments, or provide
a written or oral report to team members
• advise the SEP team on social/emotional/personal or
behavioural programming, transitional strategies and supports,
and community services which may be accessed by the student
90 Teaching Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders