What it boils down to for me is that I can only be an expert on autism as it exists for one person and one person only. And that's my son Brendan. Because I have a lot of personal experience with him. I know nothing about anyone elses autism.

So when I see Grand Pronouncments with Lots of Capital Letters about Everyone with Autism and their Special Magical Mystical Gifts it really chaps my ass. Walk a mile in my shoes and THEN tell me my son should not be in a mainline school. Even though everyone else { and I'm talking about degreed professionals} who actually knows him and works with him on a regular basis agrees it's the right thing to do.

Others should just shut up.If they want to talk about their own personal experiences that's fine. Just don't tell me what to do. Ever.