Regular Classroom or Specialized Setting for HFA?

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My daughter who is 3 almost 4 years old has just been diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. She goes to 2 different preschool classrooms and she went to them last year too. The teachers describe her as not disruptive but she will get up and do her own thing especially during circle time. Her other problems in class are the teachers have to hold her hand to keep her from running away if they are walking from the classroom to the gym and often a puzzle is needed to settle her down when I leave. But apparently after I leave she usually is fine. I know she has socialization problems but it is not as apparent in the class she is in as she is with younger kids.

Because she is a November baby I am considering holding her back so right now she is in a 3 year old preschool while she should be in a 4 year old preschool. Her socializing doesn't seem to be as much of a problems with the younger kids. Is that a good idea?

She is eligible for funding to have an aide in the classroom but would it be better to use an aide in the classroom or put her in a specialized program specifically for children with autism?

I am very new to this so your opinions are important to me.

she actually sounds like she is doing comparatively ok. being put in a special class might damage her self esteem if she realizes she is disabled. also a lot of kids find that they get used to special ed classes and spend their whole life in them, which isn't good if you see her being independent in the future. also special ed can have other bad effects some classes especially in high school have a gang, drug, or loser culture to them.

The whole concept of special eduacation is based on LRE, or least restrictive environment, and I believe in this idea. Basically, if you daughter can succeed in a typical classroom with an aide, then she should remain there and not in a special class. Now, if she's having issues and not learning even with the aide, THEN think about a more restrictive placement.