Another follow-up thought:
If your kid feels shy about approaching the profs on the first day, and/or just doesn't want the label to be the first impression....
If you have arranged specific accommodations with the disability services office that the prof needs to implement, you really do want to contact them by the first day of class. (They can't provide accommodations if they don't know about them, and it's really pretty annoying when someone comes in weeks into the semester saying "I know I should have told you this weeks ago, but...") You may think the first day will just be introductions, fairly content-free, but some profs hit the ground running hard! You can send your letter via e-mail rather than handing it directly to them, however, if this makes it easier.
But if you are simply disclosing without requesting specific accommodations, there's no reason why this has to be done on the first day, either. A week or two into the semester is fine. If you've already made a favorable impression as an individual, then the prof will be surprised by the disclosure and delighted that you're dealing so well. If you've made an unfortunate first impression, the letter can serve as a reality check for the prof, who will rethink your previous interactions.
16 Jun 2014, 2:15 pm
