CelticFaerie, my best friend's son is autistic, she used those cards alot when he was a bit younger and more prone to breaking down. I thought that was pretty cool. It is sad because now they pretty much don't take him anywhere. I am not sure if it is b/c he prefers to be home in a familiar environment or if they feel uncomfortable that he stands out so much...But they have an amazing amount of respite care, they are out every weekend w/o him. Not sure how they do it!

Desertmom, usually it is the kindergarteners or 1st graders that are worst about staring/copying. I have said things or asked what they were doing. Asking that usually puts them on the spot and I can give a little talk about being nice. But I won't go off on a kid that little (not YET anyhow:D ). Actually the older kids are quite nice to my son thank God. Now, when he was in Kinder, it was a private school (a religious one at that ) and the other Kinder kids were horrible to him, constant name calling, throwing balls at him at recess, etc. It really had an effect on him which is why I moved him from there. I had complained to the teacher, principal, pastor, and superintendent. They ALL acted like I was making it up, like their little angel students would never do such a thing...I started to file a suit against them to get back my tuition from the year, but the lawyer was really slow and it dragged out...I decided for various reasons that God was telling me to let it go. NOTHING like that happens at his school now. If I had been at his old school in Kinder and had actually been present when it happened, I would have for sure let some kids have it! I agree with you that we have to educate the little ones.

Have a great night!