My students all had their strong points but couldn't be considered 'high functioning'. If they had been they would have been mainstreamed rather than in my self contained class. My guys were more involved and couldn't function out of a highly structured environment with reduced stimulation and very structured programming. Take that away and the behaviors became a real challenge. I loved them all and in their own way they returned the affection.

Maybe the line you mentioned has to do with degree of difference between their singular strength and their over all functioning level?