Are you obligated to disclose your child's autism diagnosis to a new school?

[Anonymous]

My friend says she does not want her child to be labeled as "special needs" and does not plan on telling the school. I also have a special needs child and have an IEP. I want to be sure that the school is informed and ready to help my child. Is this a common thing?.....not to disclose a diagnosis for fear of being labeled? The thought never even crossed my mind.

[Anonymous]

It is very common I think. We didn't take this approach but know others who have. Works better when there are no behavioral issues and the child's needs can be met outside of school with tutors (mild dylexia or ADHD).

[Anonymous]

She's not legally obligated, but it seems short sighted to me. Her child's issues must be incredibly mild if he won't need any sort of support during the most socially-intensive part of any child's day.

[Anonymous]

Some do, some don't. It's up to the parent to suss out what works better for the child. I wouldn't question another parent's decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's not legally obligated, but it seems short sighted to me. Her child's issues must be incredibly mild if he won't need any sort of support during the most socially-intensive part of any child's day.

OP here... her child's issues are moderate. Child has few words spoken intermittently and is not currently in any kind of therapy. I think she assumes the teachers will just handle it somehow. IMO it's unfair to the other students because it will be a drain on the teacher's time.

[Anonymous]

We have neighbors who refused to get their child evaluated because they didn't want a label. Ultimately the school insisted on an IEP and an autism diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's not legally obligated, but it seems short sighted to me. Her child's issues must be incredibly mild if he won't need any sort of support during the most socially-intensive part of any child's day.

OP here... her child's issues are moderate. Child has few words spoken intermittently and is not currently in any kind of therapy. I think she assumes the teachers will just handle it somehow. IMO it's unfair to the other students because it will be a drain on the teacher's time.

This child doesn't need an IEP to label him; his delayed language will do all the labeling necessary. I agree that it's not fair to the teachers or to him.

[Anonymous]

The school will push for an evaluation if they see big problems anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school will push for an evaluation if they see big problems anyway.

The school will push for an evaluation and then the parents will have to disclose that their child already has an ASD diagnosis at which point the school will know that they are those kind of parents.

[Anonymous]

How old is this child? I think the teacher will recognize there is an issue if the child is not speaking

[Anonymous]

I think your friend is putting her son at a disadvantage. Communication and partnership work best.

Behavior that's out of the norm usually results in discipline or annoyance from the teachers and other students. But when it is viewed within the context of a diagnosis, the staff can strategize and offer assistance.

[Anonymous]

I think it's a very personal decision and people should not be jumping to conclusions. Some children's needs are so mild that they will not cause any disruption to the class or teacher and parents would prefer to work with the child with private providers. I think there's absolutely nothing wrong with this especially since it's possible these children's issues are so mild they will be the ones to lose their diagnosis in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's not legally obligated, but it seems short sighted to me. Her child's issues must be incredibly mild if he won't need any sort of support during the most socially-intensive part of any child's day.

OP here... her child's issues are moderate. Child has few words spoken intermittently and is not currently in any kind of therapy. I think she assumes the teachers will just handle it somehow. IMO it's unfair to the other students because it will be a drain on the teacher's time.

Your friend is in la la land if she thinks a child with "few words" can fly under the radar... Sounds like she is in denial about her child's issues.

[Anonymous]

The school is well aware that parents do not report known development issues with new students. If the child barely talks, they are going to notice it very quickly. The school will begin their own evaluation process and develop and IEP for the student. Why waste all that time when an evaluation has already taken place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school is well aware that parents do not report known development issues with new students. If the child barely talks, they are going to notice it very quickly. The school will begin their own evaluation process and develop and IEP for the student. Why waste all that time when an evaluation has already taken place?

A school can't do evaluations without the parents' consent. I wonder what will happen when the teachers approach the parents with their concerns?

OP, how old is the child?