An Analysis of State Autism Educational Assessment Practices and Requirements.

Libero et al. (2016) sent surveys to every U.S. state education department. They asked how each state decides if a child can get autism-only special-ed services.

The team read the written rules and checked whether states copy the federal IDEA wording or add extra hoops.

Every state uses different words. Most states borrow the federal definition, but many tack on extra criteria like IQ cutoffs or extra checklists.

Bottom line: a child who qualifies in Iowa might be turned down in Texas.

Bachrach et al. (2026) shows the flip side. In Israel one national team decides placement using just two child traits—cognition and irritability. The U.S. patchwork looks chaotic next to that single rule.

Ferguson et al. (2019) found low-income Hispanic and White kids get diagnosed at the same age when parents fight equally hard. E et al. warns those same families may still hit different state rules after diagnosis.

Némorin et al. (2025) split ASD into four clear subtypes at diagnosis. State forms rarely ask for that detail, so kids with the same subtype may still pass or fail depending on where they live.

Before you write an autism eligibility report, look up your state’s exact wording. Copy-and-paste the state bullet points into your assessment template. If you move or consult across state lines, redo the check—what counted last year may not count next door.