The Autism Scholarship Program
The Acacia Center is a qualified center for the Ohio Department of Education’s Autism Scholarship. If your child is eligible for the scholarship, we can help you apply. If your child is not yet eligible, we may be able to help you work toward eligibility.
Eligibility
A student who receives a private diagnosis of autism from a qualified professional does not need to have this reflected in an IEP. As long as the child has an official diagnosis from a licensed physician or hospital, they are eligible to qualify for the Autism Scholarship under an Autism Education Plan (AEP) developed by their district of residence.
How We Can Help
At the Acacia Center, we provide guidance and support in navigating the Autism Scholarship process under Ohio’s new AEP law or through the current IEP process. Our team assists families in understanding the requirements and completing the application. We work in collaboration with you and your child’s school to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Autism Education Plan (AEP), if one is needed. If your child already has an IEP or AEP in place, we will guide you through the Autism Scholarship application to ensure all documentation is accurate and submitted within the required timelines.
For more information on the program, go to http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/Autism-Scholarship-Program.
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLANS
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written document intended to help children reach specific education goals that may otherwise be difficult to attain. Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve academic, behavioral and social skills that apply to the needs of the individual child. To obtain an IEP, your child must first be identified for special educational services and from there, a multi-step process begins that will ensure your child receives the appropriate services and support needed to succeed.
At the Acacia Center, we believe that a well-formed and highly individualized IEP can be the start of a successful journey to reading comprehension and writing proficiency. We will work with you to build an IEP that meets your child’s specific needs and is geared toward her success.