Hi Polarbear,
Oh, this is hard.
I will say that my DS9 has benefited enormously from openness about his disability in the school setting; I was terrified when we disclosed to classmates, but it was very, very helpful in getting them to understand him. We do have genuine acceptance now. And they do cheer for him when he does something that's hard for him, and they don't get fazed when he does something inappropriate.
A 6th grader is harder... the peer stuff is just so much more present to him, I'm sure. Yet-- I suspect that disclosure is still going to get a better outcome, especially in the terrifically supportive environment you describe. I wonder if you talked with him about letting peers know why he needs the laptop "so they can understand why", and then engaged teacher help/support for the actual disclosure, he'd be comfortable with that?
He doesn't have to be in the room for the disclosure if he doesn't want to be, though it's better if he can just matter of factly answer kids' questions. And then it's done.
At least, that was our experience...
DeeDee
