Section 56846 Of Chapter 7.5. Autism Training And Information From California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 30. >> Chapter 7.5.
56846
. (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
(1) Autism is the fastest growing special education eligibility
category for public education in California and the nation. In the
years between 1998 and 2002, the number of pupils with autism
receiving services in California almost doubled, from 10,360 to
20,377. These numbers have continued to climb at a surprising rate.
In 2004, there were 4,427 additional pupils diagnosed with autism, an
increase of 18 percent.
(2) Autism is not a rare disorder. It is a major public health
problem that must be better addressed by the State Department of
Education, the State Department of Developmental Services, the State
Department of Social Services, the state public school system
regional centers, and all other entities assisting children with
autism.
(3) Significant gains have been made in the expansion of research
related to autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The
findings of this research need to be more fully disseminated to
parents, families, school districts, nonpublic schools, and regional
centers throughout the state.
(b) Accordingly, it is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting
Schedule (1) of Item 4300-101-0001 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act
of 2006 (Ch. 47, Stats. 2006), which, funded the Autistic Spectrum
Disorders Initiative of the State Department of Developmental
Services, and this chapter, to allow the identification and
dissemination of research-based recommended practices and
professional development programs for children with autism to be
fully accessible and available to parents and educators.