The thread on parents writing recommendation letters has me worrying about the “guidance counselor” letter I need to write as a homeschool parent. I have a first draft and, while everything in it is absolutely true, it does make my son seem a bit of a saint.
The thing is, he really is pretty great! (And I’m not just saying that because I’m his mom. I’m actually worrying about how I’m going to write a letter for S24 next year who, while a really caring and fun kid, I don’t have as much glowing academically or initiative-wise to say about.) S23 isn’t without his issues, but those are primarily associated with being (mildly) on the autism spectrum. I expect he will experience social and administrative challenges with going to college, but I also think he has the tools he needs to meet those challenges, and knows how to ask for help when he needs it.
I’ve heard people say it isn’t a good idea to disclose an ASD diagnosis or mental health issues in a college application, and that recommendation letters should really focus on the positives. But I’m not sure if my (parent) guidance counselor letter comes across as not credible because there isn’t really anything “negative” in it.
Do you think I should talk about the challenges he faces due to the ASD (either naming it or not)? I could talk about the ways he has worked to address them, but if I mention the progress he has made working with an executive function coach or a relational counselor, I feel like that throws red flags… I really think he has as good a chance at being fine in college as most kids. I wouldn’t support his applications if I thought it would be too much for him. So is it worth mentioning these challenges to make the letter seem more credible?
