The characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder present with remarkable heterogeneity; however, the core features of ASD include (a) impairments in social communication, …show more content…
The earlier the intervention, the greater chance the child has of success and independence later in life. Individuals with ASD qualify for special education services under the rights provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) through age 21. IDEA entitles individuals with disabilities to “free and appropriate public education” with due-process safeguards, non-discriminatory identification, and a zero-reject policy (Heward.) To encourage integration, IDEA also grants individuals the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment possible for their disability and the right to be involved in making decisions regarding their needs and services