My Father has Asperger's. If I'm asked...Do I Tell?

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I have an interview for a Speech-Language Pathology Master's Program that I've been trying to get into for almost 2 years now. I didn't get into the program last year. I currently work with children with ASD, and help them learn to communicate (big part of Speech Lang. Path). I updated my personal statement essay from last year, and added that I have a relative who has a diagnosis of ASD. If I'm asked about this during my interview, do I tell the interviewer that the person is my father? Will I be judged, consequently resulting in a college rejection? I feel like I'm using my father's disability as a tool to get into college? He's a successful member of our community and he wants me to get into the program. My mother said that they might look at me differently (in a bad way) if I tell them about my father, but I think it's a good thing considering that he succeeded in life with a disability. What should I do?

My inclination would be not to tell them because they might see you as a freak.

Ok, ask HIM first and foremost. I can see benefits of disclosing this, seeing as he has been successful, etc.
And then decide if YOU want to do it.

Sincerely,
Matthew

If it is along the lines of what you want to do in your life...why would you not tell them? I would just tell them that you have a relative who has done well considering his obstacles...no need to go into specific details of who its is and what he does. If I were you I would talk about working with the children and then lead up a small anecdote about your relative. I think bringing up personal stories shows that you have an understanding and connection. They know that you are serious about what you want to do in your life.

My personal belief is that private info should be kept private, except on a need to know basis. If someone needs to know something, then it can be told. I don't think you should tell the college people anything except that a relative has Asperger's, and is handling life well. I don't know if people in your father's circle of friends and business connections are aware of his Asperger's, but probably they are not. It would be best not to take the chance on letting the info get out as it could affect their interactions with him, and even affect his job.

Remember, only give out private info on a need to know basis. This is to reduce harm that can be caused by other people knowing stuff about oneself. This applies to all types of personal info--financial, medical, etc.

If the information is, well, very important (doc, genticist, somewhere in those lines) then yes, tell them.

If you get asked by a friend, JUST SAY NO

I myself don't disclose my AS status, not even to best friends who have a bro/ sis on the spec.

Are you embarrassed by disability? If your father had one leg would you mention it? Is your fathers aspergers relevent to the position? Are you a well rounded individual who is comfortable with where you come from? I think its ok to mention it or not.

Questor: No, only a few of his very close friends/family know that he has Asperger's, his coworkers do not. I'm pretty sure that his mother and sister, both deceased had ASD as well. No one talks about it though, that's just how his family is.

Patiz: I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of his diagnosis. He is a very private person. I don't even discuss his diagnosis with my fellow coworkers who also have relatives with ASD. The interviewer would never meet him, nor does she know his name. Having a parent with Asperger's was how I grew up. I thought that it would show the interviewer that I have a connection to people with communication disorders.

Thank you everyone for your input. I will not tell the interviewer that my relative with ASD is my father.