Moran: Better Training for Teachers Can Improve Success of Autistic Children

The following opinion column was submitted by U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va. Moran is a member of the Congressional Autism Caucus.

We recognize the month of April as Autism Awareness and Understanding month. Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is the fastest growing serious developmental disorder in the United States, affecting nearly two million Americans. One in 88 children is on the autism spectrum by age 8, and boys are five times more likely to have an ASD. A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control indicates that the instance of ASD may actually be higher.

And here in Northern Virginia, we are experiencing the prevalence of ASD firsthand. Arlington Public Schools released a report showing a 52 percent increase in enrollment of students with autism since 2008. More than 12 percent of Arlington’s special education student population is diagnosed with ASD.

Earlier this month, I visited Barcroft Elementary School where I spent time with students with ASD who are participating fully in general education classes. Arlington should serve as a model for school systems across the country to include students with ASD in general education classrooms. After receiving a grant from the Virginia Department of Education, Arlington Public Schools partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University to implement teacher training programs and improve school resources for students with ASD.

We do not know the causes of ASD, but while scientists work on the causes of and treatments for ASD, children on the spectrum deserve the best possible education. Over the past year, I have met with parents, students, teachers and school administrators on the increase of ASD in Northern Virginia. Though our region has seen a sharp increase in diagnosis over the past four years, we are not the only area impacted by a large number of our younger generation diagnosed with ASD.

Due to this rapid growth, many general education teachers around the United States have not had the opportunity to receive training to more effectively teach children on the spectrum. To fill this need, I have introduced the AUTISM Educators Act to establish five-year pilot programs, similar to those in Arlington County, that pair local school systems with universities or nonprofits to train general education teachers who work with children diagnosed with ASD.

Tuesday evening I will join the Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee at a parent information night to discuss my efforts to replicate the successful programs in Arlington across the country. I look forward to hearing their stories and learning about the challenges of this student population.

It is the responsibility of my generation to strengthen the programs and foundation for our children and grandchildren. The AUTISM Educators Act is a small investment, but it can make an enormous improvement in educational success for our children.

Moran will be among the speakers at an autism information night, 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Arlington Education Center, 1426 N. Quincy St., Arlington.