Manhattan School Rescinds Student's Acceptance After Learning He's Autistic, Parents Claim

A New York City private school reversed its decision to accept a toddler when it learned he was diagnosed with autism, the child's parents claim in a lawsuit, the New York Daily News reported.

At first, the Washington Market School in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood accepted the son of Jennifer Sample and Eliot Ferguson into its exclusive preschool program in September. After their toddler was diagnosed with autism, the school changed its mind, saying the boy would not fit in. Outraged at how they were treated, the parents have filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school and two of its administrators.

"It was disgusting the way they spoke to us and the way they treated a child who was not even 3-years-old," Sample, 43, told the newspaper.

The boy, referred to as "O.F." in the lawsuit, was accepted in February after his parents took a tour of the prestigious school.

But after learning the child was diagnosed, the enrollment director, Rachael Macchiesi, told Sample her son would "not be a good fit," according to the lawsuit obtained by the newspaper. Sample said she would have told the school about the diagnosis if she thought it would have prevented her son from doing well.

Sample's son and other autistic children, "would be suitable candidates for admission with reasonable accommodations," the lawsuit reads.

The invitation was rescinded the same day the school had notable autism activist Temple Grandin as a guest speaker.

"They pride themselves on diversity and inclusion but follow an exact opposite policy," Sample told the newspaper.

Macchiesi and school head Ronnie Moskowitz are named in the lawsuit. Sample and Ferguson want them and the school to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Macchiesi did not provide the newspaper with a comment, and a request for comment from the school and Moskowitz was not immediately returned.

Washington Market School has taught the children of celebrities including director Spike Lee and fashion designer Nicole Miller.