<p>My son is really high functioning.
Great in math (has tutored it all his life)
Worked through echolalia but speaks perfectly now
Has a 501 and an IEP. Still have visual neuro difficulty (cannot read small print and glossy paper) but that is it! He accommodate by taking picture of the book and reading on the IPad. His teachers print all hand outs/tests on large print
Should I disclose his autism on the college application?</p>
<p>He has a 4.6 GPA, took all AP classes offered by the school he is ranked 1st in his graduating class
His ACT is 28 (math 31) he will be retaking it after a 6 weeks prep course (fingers crossed)
He is an a Eagle Scout
Has a 3 year population study of the yellow billed magpie at the Mendocino National Forest following a West Nile Virus epidemic that compromised the species
Works full time as camp counselor -has retrofitted all the bikes at that camp -was offered bike director position this summer.
Varsity in swimming and tennis
Plays the sax and is the founding member of music club -also was the teen angel at the production of Grease
Played years at the community band </p>
<p>As you can see autism does not compromise his academics much. He also has a good life outside the school. Has not have had a meltdown in 2 years. And about 5 years before that. Great coping skills
I'm afraid he will loses his chances if his autism is known. </p>
<p>I'm not American. My husband and I didn't go to school here so the application process is really difficult for us. Our school has virtually no counseling.
I live in a very small rural town. No autism group for high functioning </p>
<p>What would you hope to gain from disclosing this autism in his application? You’re under no obligation to, and I would recommend against it, unless you have a good reason to (he wants to use it in an essay, etc).</p>
<p>I would recommend, however, that he register with the disability services office at whatever school he goes to. He won’t have to disclose his diagnosis to his professors or classmates if he doesn’t want to, but the disability services office should be able to make the print larger/allow him to zoom in on his exams or give him other accommodations that he needs.</p>
<p>Yes, he should register for disability services regarding the vision problem. Accommodation may be as simple as getting the instructors to print tests in a large enough font so that he won’t need electronics to read them (thus avoiding any possibility of being accused of cheating by using the electronics).</p>
<p>I would say no, don’t reveal. He seems very strong without needed the “explanation” regarding disability. However, do consider the approach faculty in his desired major take to his needed accommodations and have discussion with the SSD office before enrolling. Also, consider a lighter courseload in the first semester. </p>
<p>I agree with all of @dyiu13 's points. You and he may want to contact the disabilities office once he is accepted to discuss his disability and see if they need any documentation for the accommodations he will be requesting (so you have time over the summer to get any updated testing that they might require, for example). But wait until he is accepted.</p>
<p>It sounds like you are in California. I agree with the choice to not disclose on the Common App, but he may want to consider disclosing on his UC applications, because he will get an additional admissions boost for the challenge.</p>
<p>I lean towards agreeing with siloconvalleymom, although I would like to hear from people who specifically know about disabilities and the UC application. What she is saying agrees with my general knowledge of the UCs, but I don’t have that particular issue, or any experience there. </p>
<p>The OP has a reason to disclose this because her son, with pretty stellar grades and ECs received a 26 on his ACT but took it with no accommodations, and the small print issue may very well have been a reason. He will be taking the test again, but if he comes up with a high score, one question is, does he mention this in his application as the reason for the change to colleges that require all test scores? </p>
<p>I think the OP is looking for advice from anyone who knows about this issue.</p>
<p>It may well be that they should pick and choose the schools though, as @siliconvalleymom suggests.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s true that most colleges consider the impact of a disability for applicants. Probably should approach it on a case by case basis if possible (given Common App). Having the GC explain is a great method.</p>