Of course, every child has the right to go and mix with other children. so, therefore, I'm all for mainstreaming children with Asperger's syndrome. However, to what extent really depends of the how severe the Asperger's Syndrome is. Obviously, a greatly affected child will need more Special Education. However, there are examples of mildly autistic children being totally mainstreamed.

Some are home-schooled, because the parent feels that he/she is the best teacher. Albert Einstein was home schooled, and, of course, he was considered to have Asperger's syndrome. He didn't speak until he was 4 or 5 yrs old. The list goes on and on of creative individuals who had trouble with the school system, even Pope John XXIII.

Obviously, you want your child diagnosed early and placed into a school system that has the maximum benefits for your child. Some Asperger's affected children are very gifted and so, therefore, the teacher should be supportive and have the proper training to deal with your child's unique gift. Obviously, you want your child diagnosed and placed carefully. If your state does not have the right facilities, you may have to move to a more supportive district. The last thing you want is for your child to face additional handicaps. A loving home environment is tremendously important. I have some friends who are mildly autistic and who didn't talk until they were 4 or 5, and now they are brilliant adults.

As I mentioned before Parents involvement with their aspergers-affected child is probably the most important factor in a successful outcome. It has been suggesested by some researchers that Asperger's and autism is preventable and treatable. Recently, according to Time Magazine Hannah Poling was awarded compensation for her autism that was caused, supposedly by vaccinations. Other researchers, like raw food expert Gabriel Cousens have recommended homeopathic vaccinations. Other researchers have clamined that a gluten-free, casein-free diet can cange the autistic child's behavior. Obviously, these are factors that the parent has control over, not the teacher.

Incredibly, the day after I wrote this article, 5/26/2008, National headlines told of a little boy, Alex Barton, who has a high functioning form of Asperger's syndrome. his teacher, Wendy Portilla, had the rest of his class vote on whether he should stay in class. They voted to kick him out 14-2. I am incredibly upset about this and can only wonder at the stupidity of a teacher who would allow this to happen. This happened in the Morningside Elementary School of Port St. Lucie, Florida.