I wish you talked to this mother about CEDU. We had a bit of back and forth. Her son is a glowing success and my view is that so what? THe mental anguish, lack of therapy, lack of family, lack of academics, coercive environmnet, and verbal abuse to break you down and build you as a robot? NO! I don't see the other side. BUt for tens of thousands of bucks, I'll bet there aren't many parents willing to reflect on that.
In any event, I think you are a change agent, but as a mom, don't do anything that imperils your ability to be with your children longterm.
Out of curiosity, how do your folks now see the CEDU experience?
Shanlea