Caldwell Co, KY: Autism rate 7.6% in 2018-2019; currently, it is at 14.4% of students

Dec 24, 2025, Princeton, KY: Herald Ledger: Caldwell teachers to use new photo sharing platform, special education sees sharp rise in students

https://www.heraldledger.com/uncategorized/caldwell-teachers-to-use-new-photo-sharing-platform-special-education-sees-sharp-rise-in-students/article_4f197679-91a0-53aa-8bce-d39c56271273.html

The Caldwell County school board and Public Relations Coordinator Lizzie Wynn discussed a new photo management platform for the school, which would allow educators to upload photos of classroom activities. The school board implemented use of the platform in November, called Waldo Photos Inc.

So far, according to Wynn, the platform has been useful, and she is excited to see how teachers utilize it. Wynn feels that it will be a way to showcase to parents everything taking place in their child’s classroom. Superintendent Jeremy Roach explained that the district has access to the photographs across the board, however, there will be a function that a parent may upload or remove their child’s photo if they choose.

Previously, parents only had access to see activities their children were involved in through social media or by receiving them directly. The platform also utilizes AI technology to direct a parent who wants to see their child to the correct photographs they are featured in. The photographs are also uploaded to a database that Wynn can access and moderate.

Director of Special Education Kelly Byrd then reported to the school board that members just finished the child count for this month, which is how they receive their funding. There was an increase of 41 students in 2025 as opposed to 2024. She said that less than half of those were referred to the district, whereas the others moved into the district. There are currently 13 Learning and Behavioral Disorder, or LBD, teachers and three Moderate to Severe Disorder, or MSD, teachers — therefore, the caseloads are high.

Byrd explained that the school district is given funding based on the types of disabilities, such as high incident, which consists of speech and language. There are moderate and low incidents, such as visual impairment or multiple disabilities, which bring in more funding since the students require more resources. Byrd made note that the autism rate in 2018-2019 was at 7.6% and currently, it is at 14.4%. All of the numbers are rising, as is the severity.

However, Byrd made note that the rate is a trend being seen across the state, not just within the Caldwell County school district.. . .