ABSTRACT
Dealing with the typical school environment may prove to be very difficult for the child or young adult with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). This chapter presents a philosophy that has been successful in working with bright students with learning difficulties, including students with HFASD. Of even greater concern may be the student’s weaknesses in social interactions. Schools must provide an opportunity for students to identify and build on their strengths, to learn how these strengths connect to careers, and to utilize their strengths to overcome their weaknesses. Some of the strengths that students with HFASD typically display are a strong base of information, an ability to recall that information, a large vocabulary, reading decoding ability, a passion for learning, and a desire to share knowledge. Teachers who have learned about the principles of differentiation will be the most effective in working with this population of students.
