My DD1 is a high functioning autistic child. She goes to an alternative school in which she is the only child with special needs. However, at her school you wouldn't know she has special needs, or that she is autistic at first look. She's totally integrated, however, if we went to the local school she would probably be put in a "special needs" class with children at different intellectual levels. DD1 has a high IQ but has communication and social issues that block her ability when in large groups. I know that at the moment she couldn't do it. But where she is, it is perfect for her. The school is an alternative to home-schooling and has 15 students in K-6 grade in the one class room. With DD2 she could go anywhere but we have her at the same school to her sister. As my DD1 grows older through her school and our other therapies she's growing in social awareness and emotionally. I think in the next few years we could probably send her to an integrated school, not that I'd want too.

I find the connection with kids with special needs is hard because not all of the kids with special needs NEED special treatment, someone with CF has a physical condition, my cousin has CF and she had to endure a lot more, but did fine in school... it was probably grades 11 and 12 that were the hardest for her, she went onto uni... and when she was 30 had a full double lung transplant...

I wonder where we draw the line? I mean most schools don't allow peanut products now, but we don't consider a peanut allergy a "special need". I just think that often times we as families get frustrated with the term... often times we all get lumped together when its not the same. If you meet one child with autism, you've met one child with autism, they are all different. Same with intellectual disabilities.... or even CF... sure there are some similarities, but often not at all the same. Sorry this is my rant but I really dislike being lumped together.

I recently had someone lecture me because I said my daughter was autistic, he said "no you can't say that, you must say she has autism...." and went onto say that I mustn't label her, but in all honesty my daughter is autistic. She's not a burden, we have a different lifestyle that those without it, but we don't know any different either. Its our life, just like yours is your life.... I would never say that we have a bad life. Yes its been difficult and yes hard as well, but maybe it would have been anyway?? I don't know any different, neither does the rest of my family.