Review and analysis of case law involving public school students with autism and Asperger syndrome: Rights and responsibilities

This study identifies, analyzes and discusses special education legal cases from 1995 to 2005, with a particular emphasis on students with autism and Asperger syndrome. The researcher poses and suggests answers to the following questions: (1) What are the current court cases involving special needs education services for students with autism and Asperger syndrome? (2) What are the court decisions and reasoning in these cases? (3) What implications do these cases present for school administrators charged with the implementation of IDEA in their schools? (4) What are the rights are responsibilities of those involved?;Earlier court decisions involving various discrimination claims set precedent used by judges in later cases and are also discussed. Hendrick Hudson District Board of Education v. Rowley (1982) set the legal standard for determination of what constitutes "free appropriate public education"; the implications of that decision are discussed in light of more recent case law. The researcher concludes her study by offering recommendations to administrators, educators and parents regarding the exercise of their rights and responsibilities as mandated by federal law.