Delivery of Services

Team-Based Support
The ICISD ASD Program is dedicated to the concept that team support is essential to meet the multifaceted needs of individuals with ASD.  With the support of the local district special education coordinators local school “Case Managers” have been assigned for each individual with ASD.  The ICISD autism team coordinates meetings during the school year to increase the Case Managers expertise in the area of autism.

 

Autism Awareness Activities
Autism awareness is a focus of the ICISD ASD Program.  Regularly scheduled opportunities occur throughout the school year to assist professionals, paraeducators, parents, peers, and community groups to learn about autism.  The ASD team members are available to offer information about autism to community members.  Classrooms, church groups, Boy Scouts, sports teams, and employers are examples of those who have requested information about autism from the ICISD ASD team.

 

Paraeducators
Paraeducator support is utilized as part of the continuum of services available to students with ASD.  Support is determined by the symptoms of the individual student and based on a rating that evaluates the severity of those symptoms.  The goal of paraeducator support is to assist students to participate and focus on instruction, to support sensory regulation, and to carry out positive behavior support plans that have been developed by the individual student’s team.  Paraeducators also attend training throughout the year.

Paraeducators are hired and assigned to local districts by the ICISD ASD Program.  Paraeducators are reassigned on a regular basis so that students learn to work successfully with many different helpers.  Assignments are determined by the ICISD ASD Program Administrator with input from the ASD team.  All paraeducators have a mentor who meets with them regularly to assist them in problem solving regarding their student needs.

Eligibility
Ionia County Intermediate School District follows the Michigan Department of Education’s Definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder to determine eligibility.