¶ … Aggregate Strengths and Weaknesses An all-inclusive, careful evaluation incorporating informal as well as formal methods is vital to adequately understanding and aiding autistic people. An evaluation of autistic persons must, in particular, offer information regarding how their development relates to that of their peers, in addition to information on the unique challenges, symptoms, and strengths displayed by autistic children (Durocher, n.d.).

The process of assessment directly facilitates the designing of a student IEP (Individual Education Program). IEPs denote written records detailing the services (including special education) to be offered to students with disabilities, for meeting their unique needs. They cover six key, mandatory elements:

An account of the disabled child's current functioning or performance level: The foremost step in IEP designing entails preparing an updated student profile which underlines the student's interests, style of learning, and current behavioural and academic abilities. The profile should also discuss the impact of disability on the student's educational and non-educational (communication, social, etc.) achievements (Durocher, n.d.).

Yearly aims and targets: The basis for objectives and targets is...

Aims and targets outline the skills the student has to achieve within a specific time period (Durocher, n.d.).
Concomitant services: IEPs should also cite the supplementary services which will be offered for complementing the academic services offered. Such services are essential for effective IEP implementation, and aim at ensuring the student can make the most of special education within the least restricting learning atmosphere (Durocher, n.d.).

Academic placement: This describes an academic setting for IEP implementation. The best setting for accomplishment of objectives and goals will be selected. In case of a non-general education setting, a student's IEP has to state how long the student will be placed within general education. Further, it should offer assurance that educators considered the least restricting atmosphere for the student (Durocher, n.d.)

Time and duration of services: This step in the IEP process specifies starting and ending dates for goals, objectives, and related services. In addition, the frequency of any related service is also specified. For example, the IEP might specify that speech and language therapy will be delivered twice a week for 30 minutes in each session for the duration of the IEP (Durocher, n.d.).

Program Evaluation: The last step in the formulation of an IEP is indicating the method of measurement of evaluation of students' progress towards short-…