ABSTRACT
The goal of secondary education for students with autism is to facilitate development of knowledge, skills, behaviors, and personal traits needed for life-long learning, enhanced independence, and a high-quality life. The job of the secondary school team is to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which students acquire knowledge and skills in their courses while continuing to build competence in social interactions, self-determination, self-advocacy, and executive functioning. School must be a place of equal access, where students with autism are supported to learn among their peers through innovations, such as Universal Design for Learning and school-wide positive behavior intervention and supports. The philosophical framework for educating secondary school-age students with autism must address the above goals through strategies that are grounded in evidence-based and research-informed principles and practices.
