I am concerned that the college is telling you they will not accept that he has a disability unless he has been tested within the last four years. The college is wrong. All that is needed is a current doctor to write a letter verifying the disability and that the disability will require accommodation. (Maybe this is what the college is actually requesting???). Section 504 law is for anyone with disability so think of it this way... If your son were blind, would the college say to get him retested for blindness before they will give him a 504? Of course not, so why should you have to retest to prove he has autism? Also, a school district does not have anyone qualified to make diagnosis of autism. Only an MD or clinical psychologist can diagnose autism. Academic testing and IQ testing is all a school district is qualified to do, and those tests actually have nothing to do with 504 plans. I hope I am making sense! IEP 's and 504 plans are difficult to understand!

I would suggest asking the college to make it clear exactly what they need. If they say "testing", ask exactly what testing they want. If they tell you they need academic or IQ testing, they are wrong and don't understand Section 504! If they need testing to prove he has autism, only a doctor (not a school) can help with that by writing a current letter stating he has the disability and will need accommodation.

Wonderful news! I am so happy for you and him that he will be going to college and will have support and social group!!

Update: I spoke with a disability specialist at the school (OCC Syracuse, NY). She said that he doesn't necessarily need updated testing but will need any info supporting his diagnosis. They will accept his latest 504 and a letter from his psychologist. As for requesting a double room vs a single or suite (which apparently is hard to get), we will need the psychologist to include in her letter evidence supporting the need for this arrangement and then they will advocate for this for him. I feel much better! They have a social skills group there which is fantastic and they are working on a mentoring program for HS students that will be attending the college. They will connect one of their students with disabilities with HS students to help with transition. Hope this information is helpful to others. Thanks for all of your help!!

Thank you! That info came from someone from admissions. I will call the office of disabilities today. So glad we have a little time to get this straightened out. It shouldn't have to be this difficult!

@A MyAutismTeam Member yes, he has just the 504. I'm wondering if I request retesting as a senior if they would grant it. The accommodations he has right now work great. Bottom line is that he needs the updated testing to submit for college (it needs to be less than 4 years old) and I know the insurance company will not cover that. I have had several people tell me the school "should" be doing it but I was trying to find any concrete "proof" to share with the school if I needed it.

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