So many Aspergers are not even diagnosed but have figured it out because of the influx of "new" autism cases in their children or relatives. I have wrestled with this in the school system with the boys. Because Ryan "looks" more autistic(hand flapping, way behind verbally), he was placed in a class in kindergarten with completely nonverbal, could pick out their own names on cards, follow schedules etc. He gained nothing from that class. Total waste of a school year. This year, I think because of the fact that it is a small school that has never had anyone with autism, the teachers are out-doing themselves with him. They recognize how smart he is and challange him constantly, treat him mostly like a regular kid, holding him up to first grade behavior standards etc,. The difference, I think, is that they had NO preconceive notions so they just work with what they can see not what someone told them to expect or not expect. Thomas, while in a BLC, is also being held to higher standards. These kids are smart, they knew how to use their difficulties to get out of doing things they didn't want to do. Like most kids. LOL Having a fit and falling in it now is no longer working(thank god) and it is showing at home too. Every child needs to be challanged, some may never reach the top(whatever that might be) but they all can reach higher than the schools seem to want to think they can. Have we not all experienced gains that we were told would NEVER happen? Until we get rid of the old stereotypes of what autism was, it will be an uphill battle. My 2 cents.
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