The number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the United States, including Asperger Syndrome, has risen sharply in the last several years. More students with Asperger Syndrome are appearing in gifted classrooms, yet most teachers of the gifted have little or no knowledge or experience with this special group of students, and are often at a loss as to how to meet their educational, emotional, and social needs. From the limited literature on the topic that is available, it is clear that the ideal classroom structure recommended for gifted students is not appropriate for students with Asperger Syndrome. What can the teacher of the gifted do to meet the needs of these students in her classroom? Literature is reviewed and definitions, characteristics, theories, and classroom recommendations are presented.
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