[MysticCat]

Interesting reading the last few posts. As I've said, my kid is the Asperger's/ADHD kid, and I'm amazed (and pleased) at how often his teacher picks asks him to work with and help other students. He's becaome the acknowledged computer expert in the class, and he seems more than willing to help other kids with computer issues. Helps the other kids learn about computers and helps him learn to work with others and interact with others in a setting that's comfortable to him.

As his parent, though, I can readily say that I wouldn't be real happy about it if I thought other kids were having to go above and beyond to make up for him. That's not fair to anyone involved.

Granted, my son presents a relatively "mild case." I think most people interacting with him wouldn't immediately peg him as special needs -- at most they might note that he's a little "odd" and hard to figure out. So for him, mainstreaming works well, while being seperated from the "normal" kids would be a disaster. Like I said, I think the question of what classroom setting is best for a kid on the spectrum has to be decided on a case-by-case basis -- there is no one right answer.

And I know what some of you mean about public schools. Rashid, I wouldn't send kids to DC public schools either if I could help it. But I have to say, our experience with public schools and an Asperger's kid has been fantastic.