@A MyAutismTeam Member: Let's beat them at their own game. Let's get some college baseball or college football or even NFL washouts or wannabes who have HFA together, and challenge everyone else in the league for charity. That will generate the funds needed to both support themselves and create our own college.

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A MyAutis...

We clearly need our own university. If we win Powerball maybe we can start one :)

You and your son are just barely scratching the surface of our society's existing bigotry against people with autism. Take it from one who has the same thing your son has and knows... it's just about useless to try to maintstream into a place where you're not wanted, regardless of whether the law mandates a welcome or not. If he is very high functioning, I would suggest you homeschool him and supplement with private tutors: either moonlighting teachers or retired professionals. Also consider online schooling, many of them now allow for accelerated learning. For social possibilities I suggested you look up support groups for parents of autistics, and perhaps those parents can organize a mixer for the children. Your son will also probably need private tutors for social polishing during his teen years.. what people used to call "finishing school.". Good luck!

@A MyAutismTeam Member, I've often wished I had an adult with autism who could come and speak to my son's teachers so they could give the insight and more description as to everything that is stimulating the child, etc. What a wonderful idea. I've gone to the head of special education and asked her for training for the entire district and have actually told one of his teachers that I wish you could talk to an adult who has gone through the system and can tell you what it's like to be in their world. I do realize there are so many levels and each of you are unique, but it would be such a huge benefit. Not only for teachers, but for all the kids. I think they should go as far as assemblies at the high school, as my two high schoolers have told me what the high functioning kids go through. I know you have your own life, but it is a fantastic idea.

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A MyAutis...

@A MyAutismTeam Member - as someone who, in addition to being a parent, is a special education teacher... it angers and saddens me when I see story after story about staff mishandling situations. It is a combination of inadequate pre-serivce and on-the-job (in-service) training, over-loading staff with too much to do and too little time, a lack of understanding of other experiences of the world than their own, and a lack of administrative matching of staff with the correct instincts and skills with the students who need them.

Don't stop advocating until your child is guided academically and environmentally correctly... I'd suggest getting a parent advocate so that it isn't "just" (sigh) "Mom says." Most states have volunteer "veteran" parents who step in to help those just starting, who will guide you, sit in on IEPs with you, help you monitor and effectively communicate needed adjustments.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.index.htm

These people may be able to connect you to a good advocate in your area:
http://actsn.org/about.htm

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A MyAutis...