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
The Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) gives the parents of children with autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive their education and the services outlined in the child's individualized education program (IEP).
Any student who has been identified by their district as a child with autism and for whom the district has created an individualized education plan (IEP) qualifies for the Autism Scholarship program.
The student must have a current IEP from the district of residence that is finalized and all parties, including the parent, must be in agreement with the IEP.
A child is eligible to apply to participate in the program when the child turns three.
How We Can Help
At the Acacia Center, we can help you navigate the process of obtaining the Austism Scholarship by assisting you in understanding and completing the process. We can work with you and your child’s school to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). If you already have an IEP, we can assist you in the application process and help you complete necessary paperwork within the program’s 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.