EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Educational models are often Eclectic in nature and founded on combinations of behavioral and developmental, and typical and adaptive, educational approaches. By its very nature the eclectic approach does not subscribe to any one established best Autism practices model. It usually consists of a wider collection of specific strategies from several intervention models. Therefore, an eclecitc approach will typically use a wide variety of communication strategies and tools, as determined by family and professional team members overtime. To be more successful, this approach must rely heavily on the use of Universal Best Autism practices (see the green link) and a consistent life span implementation of each individual's eclectic plan.

The two main risk in this approach are first, that providers may select easier, less critical, and even contradictory elements of both unestablished and well-established Autism practices, and lose the highest values of possible intervention. Second, if a region or state does not develop a few strong electic model options, then each child may end up with a totally unique approach that each new team must learn, and so, may not follow over time. This can produce programs that frustrate people with Autism and then negative behaviors can arise long term. Both these risks can be greatly lessened if the electic approach chooses either a developmental or behavioral foundation to start with and then follows the universal best practices to add on the other elements the team chooses. (See our green links for a map of possible best practice intervention paths. Here are sources of complimentary communication strategies that can support eclectic models of best practice strategies:

PUBLIC EDUCATION PROVIDERS:

For families in Oregon: the listings below are private non-profit organizationsand the public agencies that provide government program funding and oversight or that may provide direct Autism services and programs in your location. (see Resources for "Move to Oregon?" info)
For families in other states: you may find these same numbers for 1) state departments of education/special education, 2) some form of federal and/or state funded regional/county educational system autism consulting services usually for children ages birth to 21 (this group or another similar organization can connect you to publically funded early intervention services ages birth to 3 and early childhood special education programs 3 to 5 as well) and your local school districts special education office will connect you to free and appropriate educational and transitional vocational services for children with Autism age 5 to 21. Finally, most state universities that have education and special education departments will be conducting federally and state funded research and related family services for the Autism community. These public service providers may help you connect to other public and private providers, based on their organizations referral policies.

Federal Department of Education/Special Education/Autism (FDE)
Phone:1-800-USA-LEARN
Email:customerservice@inet.ed.gov
Web: www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS

Oregon Department of Education/Special Education/Autism (ODE)
Phone: 503-378-3598 Ext. 653
You may ask for an Oregon School Directory
Web: www.ode.state.or.us/sped/

Call the ODE at 503-378-3598 to ask for:

Your Region's Education Service District (ESD)
Birth to 5 Special Needs Eligibility, Planning, Services & Programs

Your Area's Regional Programs for Autism (ORP)
For Birth to 21 Autism Screenings, Eligibility Evaluations, and School Consulting

See the Blue Pages section in the front of your telephone directory to find your local service provider listed under YOUR CITY:

Your City's Public School District/Special Education Office
For Kindergarten to 21 School Services and Programs