As a parent of two children who are currently recieving spec. ed. services, I have to state my opposition to these proposed changes.  Parents are the only individuals on an assesment team who have a solid continuum of knowledge regard a childs disability.  In the case of a child suffering from an autism spectrum disorder, where each childs needs can be radically different, the label can often not adequately describe the problems.

Considering the huge numbers of children any school has to place in an appropriate educational setting, it is a benefit to the team to have someone there who's memory encompases the entire history of a childs education.  In addition, sometimes anecdotal evidence from the home setting can help to facilitate the proper placement.  Parents MUST remain an important member of the team.

Lee Bowles