How "Educational Assessments" Skew Autism Prevalen

Thank you for the link.

From what I’ve seen the same reasoning applies to numerous other
(mis)diagnoses. You don’t think the fact that the schools receive additional funding for evey child they ‘identify’ has anything to do with it, do you?

John

I do NOT think schools are motivated to diagnose disabilities. The so-called “additional funding” they receive represents a fraction of what the running of special education programs costs the school, hence the argument that school districts continue to “raid” the general fund to pay for special education programs. Believe me, they are not rewarded for overidentification, despite the fact that some do this. In other situations parents INSIST on identification in situations where the school is disinclined. When parents make a loud noise about wanting their child qualified, we always “cave” in my district.

That has also been my experience. In the three public schools where I taught, there was, if anything, a reluctance to identify students. While it may happen somewhere, I suspect it’s essentially a myth.
If only a few other things were…

I guess it just goes on around here. That’s what my friends who teach tell me. :D

Speaking of money, according to the morning paper 68% of Richmond’s students receive free or reduced-price meals.

John

I think in this county, it doesn’t matter what teachers *or* parents “think” a child has, they don’t get any assistance or accomodations unless a medical diagnosis confirms it. And that is how it should be.