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I am NOT talking about those with Asperger's Syndrome. I am talking about true autistics who can't function without an adult present and, even then, it is difficult for them and all those around them.

Autism is a severe mental disorder that severely inhibits socialization and communication skills. It is NOT the same as being unable to walk or even blind, where social skills are not limited, and communication skills are limited to a much smaller extent.

And yes, I know MD's who treat autistic children, as well as the parents of a seven year old autistic yound man. Most of the former agree with me, while the latter agrees with me 100%. "Mainstreaming" the autistic is a feel-good pipe dream that does a great disservice to the child and those around the child.

“”Mainstreaming” the autistic is a feel-good pipe dream that does a great disservice to the child and those around the child.”

Depends on the child, and the particular class. You’re trying to put all people in a “One size fits all box”. That’s the same as your opposites who think every child should be mainstreamed. My son was mainstreamed in a language class in 1rst grade. After 1rst grade it was my opinion that he wasn’t getting enough out of it to warrant breaking his schedule. Speech therapy has had a wonderful effect on him tho.

I am NOT talking about those with Asperger's Syndrome. I am talking about true autistics who can't function without an adult present and, even then, it is difficult for them and all those around them.

Autism is a severe mental disorder that severely inhibits socialization and communication skills. It is NOT the same as being unable to walk or even blind, where social skills are not limited, and communication skills are limited to a much smaller extent.

And yes, I know MD's who treat autistic children, as well as the parents of a seven year old autistic yound man. Most of the former agree with me, while the latter agrees with me 100%. "Mainstreaming" the autistic is a feel-good pipe dream that does a great disservice to the child and those around the child.

How wonderful for you to be so knowledgeable, yet not know what you are talking about.

I had an MD tell me my son was autistic when he was two, his advice "institutionalize him and concentrate on your other children." My response was to keep the child and discard the doctor.

I am myself a mildly autistic person, so I can speak from some degree of knowledge.

I have a child who was a classic case nonverbal, hand flapping fan mesmerized, low functioning autistic. I got him help as soon as I could, I have done research that would dry your eyes to dust. I moved to a location where I can participate in ground breaking studies about autistism and genetics, I have had my wife, my father, mine and my sons brains cat scanned and analyzed by experts as part of a study, I have obtained blood samples from four generations on both sides of my son's family tree so the doctors in the study would have the information they need. There have been grants built around information I have always understood what was gong on, and even given some direction to all these studies to the amazement of the doctors involved, you see, I am also mildly autistic, I always knew I was different, I had absolutely no gift for things social, but I was smart. I analyzed the people around me and built models of their behavior in my mind, I analyzed people to the point where I can meet someone for five minutes and know things that would shock them. This is not a game for me, this is survival. I can see this thing from the inside and you want to tell me what can and can't be done? Bah, you waste my time with your inability to learn.

I will not waste time with you further on this.

I was "Mainstreamed" because they did not know what else to do with me, for I was obviously very smart, just socially retarded. I figured out ways of dealing with the world from watching the "Normal" people. Mainstreaming is not just useful, it is crucial. and if you are going to say it was a disservice to me, I will respond "let me be the judge of that."

Good day.

It is a neurological disorder, not a mental disorder...important distinction, especially when it comes to getting insurance companies to recognize it as the MEDICAL disorder that it is.