![Autism in Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/124/files/2019/03/gettyimages-1129092734-594x594.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Autism in Montana
Montana education officials are proposing to change how they identify children with autism by creating a checklist of characteristics that the student must meet.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen will hold a public hearing Tuesday on the changes, which would require that students meet 14 of 30 characteristics on the list to qualify as autistic.
Disability Rights Montana attorney Tal Goldin said Monday the changes are too rigid, are not based in science and would lead to a drastic reduction of education services to children with autism.
Goldin says the result would be more children with autism failing school because they would not have access to the specific, intensive services they need.
Of the 17,143 Montana students ages 6-21 eligible under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act last year, 874 were autistic.
More From 103.7 The Hawk
![Montana High School Students Show Their Professional Abilities at BPA State Competition](http://townsquare.media/site/628/files/2022/03/attachment-IMG_2140.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![7 Things New Students At Montana State Should Do](http://townsquare.media/site/14/files/2021/08/attachment-Montana-State-University-fb.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![12-Year-Old With Autism Takes Awesomely Realistic Pictures of Toy Cars](http://townsquare.media/site/124/files/2020/03/Screen_Shot_2020-03-09_at_2_57_34_PM__3_.png?w=980&q=75)
![Teen Pleads Guilty](http://townsquare.media/site/125/files/2019/05/gettyimages-1140241711-594x594.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Will Your Child Walk Out Of School?](http://townsquare.media/site/109/files/2018/02/RS3841_101520249-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rocky Mountain College Experiment Blows Up Aboard Space X [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/125/files/2015/06/LLL-space-x-Roberto-Gonzalez-Getty-Images.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gifted Kids in Billings Extended Studies Program Take You All Around The World – Inside The Crowne Plaza](http://townsquare.media/site/109/files/2014/04/Softies-e1397173508442.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reports: At Least Six Dead After Gunman Opens Fire at California’s Oikos University [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/124/files/2012/04/oikos.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Teacher in Hot Water for Blogging About ‘Rude, Lazy’ Students [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/124/files/2011/02/Teacher-in-Hot-Water-for-Blogging-About-%2525C5%252592Rude-Lazy%2525C2%2525B9-Students-FT.-IMAGE.jpg?w=980&q=75)