When the White House and administration use their pulpit to spread misinformation and unverified causation about disability, as they did yesterday, it is extremely concerning for families and for students with disabilities.

COPAA stands with mothers and fathers who “tough it out” every minute of every day working to give their child the best that life has to offer. To blame them is unfair, cruel and unsubstantiated.  COPAA has and will continue to support federal investments in research, technical assistance, and other support for schools, students and their families who are impacted by a diagnosis of autism.

That said, nothing shared in the most recent announcement changes the fact that if a student is diagnosed with autism or is deemed to be on the autism spectrum they remain eligible to receive the individualized related services, support, accommodations and specialized instruction they are entitled to under the law. There is an abundance of best practice strategies on how to best serve students with autism and in these tumultuous times we encourage parents and educators to focus on quality individualized education programs and outcomes for each student.