P.R. Laws tit. 24, § 3565
It is hereby declared as public policy that the Government of Puerto Rico is responsible for developing and implementing, directly or in conjunction with other public or private entities, all the mechanisms available to ensure that:
(a) Families, communities, care and development programs, and public schools are able to identify and develop learning experiences and opportunities for persons with autism spectrum disorders;
(b) educational programs have curriculum that takes into account the special needs of persons with autism spectrum disorders, including less restrictive school placement alternatives and related services, in accordance with the provisions of current federal and state legislation; student one-on-one aide services are available if warranted; individualized education when necessary is available, as well as reasonable accommodation into smaller groups, thus allowing the child’s education. The individualized educational plan shall be tailored to the particular needs of each student with autism spectrum disorder;
(c) programs are developed to ensure the wellbeing, safety, and health of persons with autism spectrum disorders by creating adequate environments, such as safe areas, good interpersonal relations, and infirmary services, among others;
(d) the development of spoken language is encouraged, as well as the opportunities to foster reading and writing through different media, including information technologies and resources, both in public places and at schools;
(e) the care, development, and education of persons with an autism spectrum disorder is provided by qualified and licensed personnel, which has been trained to work with preschool children or has completed continuing education therefor, in accordance with the best established practices;
(f) the care, development, and education programs for persons with an autism spectrum disorder that operate with public or private funds use the adequate practices in accordance with the particular needs and the level of development of persons with autism spectrum disorder, and that meet quality standards are evidence-based, practice-based interventions, or validated for said population in Puerto Rico;
(g) the care, development, and education programs for persons with an autism spectrum disorder have a curriculum that takes into account the dimensions of the learning development and areas, and provides the proper space and sufficient time for exploration, discovery, and interaction, as well as critical and reflective dialogue. School environment shall provide recreational activities and sports, as well as drawing, art, dance, and music lessons, among others, for the full development of this population;
(h) the care, development, and education programs for persons with an autism spectrum disorder have an evaluation component including the procedures and tools that are adequate for the level of development of persons with an autism spectrum disorder and that deals with developmental and learning aspects;
(i) the care, development, and education programs for persons with an autism spectrum disorder are based on respect of individuality, differences, needs, and strengths of those who compose such population;
(j) persons with an autism spectrum disorder receive continuous care and education services focused on the development of independent life skills and employment-related skills as a goal to achieve independence and financial self- sufficiency as they reach adulthood, and
(k) the Department of Education shall be responsible, in conjunction with the Case Manager of the Department of Health, for offering intervention services to the autism spectrum disorder population, between ages 3 and 21 years. Such services shall include, but not be limited to, the necessary therapy services for development and learning, speech and language, psychological, physical, visual, and hearing occupational therapy. Intervention services shall be consistent with those provided for in § 3564 of this title.
History —Sep. 4, 2012, No. 220, § 7.