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Service Description and Purpose
The Autism Specialist provides assistance to the Member School Districts in the Fresno County SELPA. This service offers support for students with, or suspected of, having autism. This service is provided through consultation with staff, parents, and students in various areas related to autism, inclusion strategies, evidence based practices, and positive behavior support.

Information, modeling, and suggestions are provided to assist staff and families in developing effective and quality programming for students with autism. In-service and training opportunities related to autism are available throughout the school year. Assistance with assessment of students with or suspected of having autism is available. The Autism Specialist may also act as a liaison between school and home, participate in IEP meetings, and transition activities.

Eligibility
Any student who exhibits the characteristics set forth in the federal and state definition of educational autism may be referred for support from the Autism Specialist.

Referral Process for Specialist Support
Member School Districts need to do the following:

• Autist Intervention Support Referral Form

Referral Process for Training Request

• Autism Specialist Training Requests

For Additional Questions, Contact:

Melissa Rose, Content Specialist, at (559) 265-3036 or mrose@fcoe.org 
Heidi Baldwin, Content Specialist, at (559) 265-4026 or hbaldwin@fcoe.org 
Romy Chachere, Director, at (559) 497-3880 or rchachere@fcoe.org