Choosing a College for Students with Learning Disabilities
Wednesday, November 27th, 1996
© 1996 Will Small
There are many colleges and universities in the United States that have good track records when it comes to accommodating learning disabilities. The quality of any given college’s response is subject to the vagaries of funding, administrative fiat and the current image an institution is trying to promote. What was once an effective, coordinated support program one year, may turn into a vague assortment of academic support services the next. The commercially available guidebooks to colleges and universities for students with learning disabilities do a fine job capturing most of the institutions and what they offer the students.
Services/Accommodations that May be Available to LD Students at Selected Colleges and Universities
- Preferential or early registration
- Counsel on which courses to take given an instructor’s style and sensitivity to learning disabilities
- Reduced or redistributed course load (e.g not taking a number of heavy reading courses simultaneously)
- Skills development and remediation (reading, spelling, writing, math)
- Modified exam arrangements (oral, untimed, extended time, scribe, use of word processor for essays)
- Assistance with note-taking (note-taking buddy, taping lectures)
- Course waivers and substitutions (foreign language, sometimes in math)
- Assistance with proofreading
- Use of calculators, spelling aces, lap computers in classes
- Taped textbooks, readers, electronic text readers (text recognition synthesized speech machines)
- Assistance with developing oral expression
- Speech and language specialists
- Assistance with personal organization
- Assistance with time management
- Writing, reading, math, study skills centers (be careful, some have
- Support for students on medication (e.g. students with ADHD)
- Social skills training
- Training and support in developing and maintaining motivation and attention
personnel who know little about the needs of students with learning disabilities)
Questions to Ask When Visiting a College
The published guidebooks to colleges and universities for LD students do a great job in delineating questions to ask. Check out any of these books for more on this.
Here are some questions many students and parents fail to ask when visiting a college/university:
- Ask to speak with current users of support services and/or their parents (see next section for suggested questions to ask)
- Ask if they track their LD graduates; if so where do they go? Graduate school, employment?
- What’s the retention rate of LD students?
- What types of in service or support does the institution offer faculty re: accommodating students with special needs?
- Is support, tutorial, instruction in the program offered by interns, graduate students, peer tutors or trained professionals? (this questions may give you a sense for how they staff the program which may give you an idea re: institution’s commitment to the program)
- Ask how accommodations are determined and granted at the college and who grants them? Are they based on the high school IEP? This is a critical question as some colleges may tie accommodations to what was on the IEP. That means it’s important to pay attention to your education plan and what’s on it in high school. They may also tie accommodations to what was recommended or discussed in the summary/conclusions of your testing. If you know you truly need an accommodation, discuss it with your learning specialist and make sure it is documented while in high school.
Questions to Ask a Current User of the College’s Support Services
- Does your advisor understand your needs?
- Are professors responsive to your needs?
- Do you receive assistance in advocating to difficult professors?
- Can you receive support when you need it or do you have to wait?
- In talking to this student, explain what you will need in the way of support services and ask the student if she/he thinks you will receive those services.
Tidbits
On the issue of whether to disclose your LD or not in the admissions process, that must be your decision. My experience suggests that it may be best to disclose. By disclosing you can have appropriate accommodations identified and granted should you need them at some point, rather than facing the disclosure and accommodation granting processes in the middle of an academic crisis, say, in your junior year.
Start your college search process early. If you are going to disclose your LD and ask for accommodations, note the date of your last educational evaluation and check that against what the colleges consider “dated” testing – don’t wait until senior year of high school to do this.
Many high school guidance offices are aware that students with documented learning disabilities may be eligible for special accommodations for the SAT, but may not be aware that this also holds true for the PSAT.
College admissions folk will look at your transcript as part of the admissions process. They like to see that even with your LD, you’ve challenged yourself in high school. They’d rather see challenging courses with C’s than all “breeze” courses with A’s and B’s.
Most all of the LD college students I’ve spoken with have said that the most important skills to develop in high school are: note-taking, self-advocacy, time management, written expression w/a computer. They urge high school students to develop these skills early on – make sure that they are reflected in your IEP or Education Plan in high school. Students: if you haven’t been actively involved in the development of your IEP, ask to be included in the process.
If you were granted a waiver of the foreign language requirement in high school, make an effort to take something in its place – be creative, consult with your learning specialist about some options – sign language? computer programming language? This type of proactivity will illustrate your willingness to work hard and is something you can boast about in the application process.
If you can’t get a waiver for a college level foreign language requirement, lobby to have American Sign Language or a programming language to substitute – if you have to take a language, consider Latin or Spanish because of the number of cognates and their regularity.
If an essay is required as part of the application process, consider discussing your journey to cope with and understand your learning disability as the subject – this may help the admissions committee see that you are comfortable with who you are and that you are a self-advocate.
Once you’ve narrowed down your college list, if at all possible, request an interview with admissions even if they are not required. For students with LD’s, the interview can be the factor that tips the balance in favor of acceptance.
Take advantage of any early orientation or registration programs offered during the summer before your freshman year – it’s a great way to get acclimated early on – take photographs and/or a video and once home use to review campus landmarks and important buildings: student center, dorms, student support services, library, dining hall.
In the few summer weeks before classes begin in your freshman year, practice setting your alarm and getting up early at home – spend some time reading and writing each day. If you’ve purchased technology for college, open it, plug it in, and get used to it before your first day of classes.
If you are going to tape a class lecture, make sure you simultaneously take as many of your own notes as possible – use the tape to fill-in what you didn’t get in class – do this daily; if you don’t the tapes will pile up quickly and you will be overwhelmed.
If you are regsitered with Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, get your book list for freshman year AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and contact RFB&D to see if they have it on tape – many students forget to match edition and copyrights – doing so will avoid the confusion of mismatched text, pages and chapters.
If your college offers a “students with LD support/discussion group once a week,” go. This is an activity that can not only allow you to vent, it’s a great way to learn new compensatory strategies and which faculty are supportive.
Publications
Survival Guide for College Students with ADD & LD
Kathleen Nadeau
Magination Press
ADD and the College Students
Patricia Quinn
Magination Press
Unlocking Potential: College and Other Choices for Learning Disabled People:A Step-by-Step Guide
Schieber & Talpers
Adler & Adler Pub.
Succeeding Against the Odds
Sally Smith
J. Tarcher Pub.
My favorite, full of tips, case histories, questions to ask, clear explanations of learning disabilities.
Promoting Postsecondary Education for Students with Learning Disabilities
Brinckerhoff, Shaw & McGuire
Pro-Ed pub.
This is the bible on postsecondary education and support for students with LD written for service providers, but a great resource to see what colleges can and should do.
Note: Shaw and McGuire are affiliated with the University of Connecticut, Brinckerhoff was affiliated with Boston University and is now in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts area.
Colleges with Programs or Services for Students with Learning Disabilities
Lipkin
Schoolsearch Press
Peterson’s Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities Mangrum & Strichart
Peterson’s Pub.
The above two books are good resources for identifying colleges and universities that may be appropriate, both offer great tips and how-to strategies chapters preceding the listings.
Hi,
My son is almost 25 and is wanting to apply to college. His academic record was poor due to his lack of academic intervention while attending school. Even though his transcript is poor he scored 1150 on the SAT. He was tested by a neuropsychologist and it was determined that he has expressive language and executive function difficulties. He scored perfect on block design.
He has been studying on his own for several years and has done reading on his favorite subject which is geometry and the history of mathematicians like Pathagoros. He also communicates with famous geometers from around the world. He makes geomtric scuptures and uses geometers sketchpad as a tool.
Will he be able to fund his education and rent through student loans? Any tips? He lives in NY City and was going to apply to the CUNY system.
Good for him!
I’m not going to be much help here. I’m sure others will have more to say.
Has he checked with the school’s office for disabled students to see what kind of support they offer? Often a visit will let you get a good feel for if its an active office or just a closet with the name in order to look good…
Some of the on-line college review places rate on disabiltiy services but as I’m to old to need this service and my child too young, I’m not familiar with them! LD Pride on line is for teens and young adults. I don’t know how active their discussion board is but he might give that a try.
And finally, on a different board, there was a thread on really bad schools LD wise. I am happy to say the CUNY system DID NOT make this list!
Two things:
1. I did very poorly in high school, had a lesser score on my SATs and could not get into any 4 year colleges after graduating high school. I went to a local community college for 1 term, got my GPA up and transferred to a good 4 year college where I floundered but then got traction and eventually took off. I now have a masters degree and have taught undergraduage and graduate courses at many colleges.
In short, there are many ways to get there; please tell him to not be discouraged if the “traditional” ways don’t work out and to continue searching for his way.
2. Reading reports of LD support programs at colleges is like reading customer reviews of products on Amazon: it’s a very indivudual thing and one person’s perfect school is another person’s nightmare.
I would take online postings about schools with a grain of salt. Don’t ignore them but look for other information as well.
The LD world is chock full of people with very strong opinions based on personal experience. It’s great to get personal reports on these things but they do not always generalize and the “tellers” of the tales tell them in such a way that they assume others have had the same experiences.
Ah, New York: one of the great cities on earth and a wonderful place to go to college. I would argue that New York itself is college. I was just in London and as an American, I felt like I was in socioligy 101. I loved every minute of it.
Just my two cents, but an experience to share-
I did awful on my SAT scores, although I took college prep courses in high school, I did poorly in Spanish and in any Math courses. I can do basic math, but not more than that. I understand very little grammar rules, I just listen and see or hear if it sounds right. But, I passed high school – never had any intervention, my mom says when I was younger teachers would tell her my phonic skills were very weak and I “just read”.
I could not get into a 4 yr college so I applied to a local community college and did well. Not getting in made me feel stupid. I never really understood why I do not understand some concepts. I remember at the community college the classes being small and the pace slower. Prof. were around to help. My math teacher let us use examples of ways to solve probelms for reference during tests, I could use a multiplication chart. It saved me. I only took the bare min. required in math.
From there I went on to a 4 yr. state college and did well. The math courses required I took back at the community college and transf. the credit over. The physics course was the only course I did awful in and took pass/fail and was only passed I think due to my effort.
From there I graduated and I am a very successful teacher. I work well with my students and can teach them even thou I suspect I have many LD’s myself. I have also completed my Master’s degree at a private what I would call “upper – hard to get in ” school – whatever that is now a days – but that school did not require testing to get in! Just ref. and your undergraduate grades. My courses were all methods which is what I did well in, no tests again, just papers and projects. That is one reason I applied there.
It scares me to think if I were in school now, I would most likely never pass the required testing in my state to be a teacher, I don’t think I would have even passed what my state calls MCAS to get out of high school.
There is so much pressure out there for students to take AP courses, to get into the “BIG” schools, etc. – but often we can all end up in the same place in time. I do think all this testing that is required is shutting the doorsfor many people who do not test well.
Good luck and go back to school, I did it, your son can too.
Where can I find information on the web about the best colleges for students with LD? We are looking in the Midwest area only (preferably MN, WI, or IA).
Well, we have a list at this site of colleges with LD programs. It’s not exhaustive but it’s a start. You can use peterson’s or college board online and word of mouth.
But, in the end, the only way to figure it out is to visit the college and see what’s what: how big the classes are, what the support system is like, etc.
And, know what the particular students’ needs are and what they are capable of doing in a college setting.
I live in the NY area and am looking for colleges for my daughter who is ld. She wants to become a elementary ed teacher…and would be great at it. How do we go about getting add;l information from the suny schools that have add;l help for her. Also, what is Vesid? thanks
You can call SUNY at 800 875-6269.
I have no idea what kinds of LD support they offer but I’m sure someone will guide you to the right person to ask.
There are many other schools in the New York area besides the SUNY system, including many in New Jersey that offer decent LD support.
I am ADD and looking for different programs that are available for college students. Can you please advise?
Thank You
Ronda: We have a collect list at this site that you can find here, and we have some articles about choosing a college (like the one you just read) here.
Great site! Can you make the font on your site larger?
Thanks!
Belinda: thank you. I can but you can do it yourself in your web browser.
Looking for High School and Colleges for LD esp Auditory Figure Ground
Are there any colleges that have a more hands on approach or vocational/technical program where one could attain a degree?
Sandy, good question. I don’t know the answer but my guess is there are schools out there that fill your need. Possibly, there are some trade schools with both academic programs and hands-on courses. I know “trade school” sounds very un-collegiate but I also know that plumbers and electricians are laughing all the way to the bank, if you catch my drift.
The community colleges here in Northern California have lots of vocational programs with certification for plumbers, electricians, auto and computer repair technicians, draftspeople, etc.
Canada also offers such programs, both within and outside their community college system.
Santa Rosa Junior College in northern Sonoma County has an awesome Adaptive Physical Education dept, otherwise known as APE. There also is a Disability Resources Department known as DRD. I have taken pilates, theraputic horseback riding, swimming, strength training, art & career classes there. I am an adult with malingering effects of a right brain stroke, however no learning disabilities, that I’m aware of. The college offers all kinds of certificate and associates degree programs and works very hard to ensure the disabled students have every opportunity possible.They also have an Aquired Brain Injured Students club, ABIS, which is very active on campus. This college has a very supportive environment, making it especially comfortable for the disabled. One is not limited to APE& DRD classes,allowing for plenty of interaction with other students.
Fantastic, thanks Emily and Mary for the information. Seems there are more options than is commonly known in the LD community.
What steps as a parent can I take for my 21 year old son that is “failing” slowly in a community college for the second time? The high school did not prepare him well for his future and as his parents we were unsure of what high education schools were available. Any thoughts of first steps. Our son is specific learning disabled with auditory processing problems. Thanks for any support.
Suzann,
I like the way you put it – looking for “first steps.” Very realistic.
How open is he to using LD support at the college? If he is not resistant, then I’d look into every piece of support they offer and see what helps.
Also, taking less than a typical full load can take pressure off. My son took three courses, and tutoring. The school wrote an all-purpose letter stating that because of his LD, two to three courses was considered fulltime for him.
Can he take vocational courses at the college? Or just “fun” courses for a change?
Then of course, your son doesn’t HAVE to be in any college. If he has an area of interest and/or competence, can he pursue that some other way – Job, volunteer work, “career school,” adventure learning, traveling/time off?
Some educational consultants can be very helpful. We used someone who evaluated our son’s strengths and interests (Myers-Briggs etc) and gave us a long report full of career recommendations and lots of non-traditional learning and experiential settings. Examples included:
Dynamy’s Internship Year (www.dynamy.org)
Gap Year ideas (www.gapyear.com and other websites)
Interest-based internships and volunteer work
www.wisemantech.com/guidance/general.htm
www.interimprograms.com
I know how painful it is to watch your kid struggle in this way. I guess my “first step” would be to free him up from the current cycle he is in, to relieve him of the college burden!
Suzann, what kinds of courses is your son taking (and failing)? Are there things he could be taking that he’d do better in?
I feel like i’m recomending this like chicken soup but you might want to read this essay I wrote a while back. The message in it for you and your son is to work on getting stronger and more secure by finding things that make him feel smart and spending more time with them, then, later, it will be easier for him to tackle the harder things.
Doing this may seem like a setback but if he can get through this difficult but meaningful transition in a way that leaves him strong and secure he’ll be in a better place to tackle hard stuff independently.
Step 1: ask him what he really wants to do. Has he considered it?
I too would appreciate your essay on this subject. My son is only 9 at the moement but I am thinking ahead.
Regards,
J. Bruce
Hi Susann,
Assuming since your son is on his second round and he wants to pursue a formal education here is my advice:
If he approaches the experience with _what can I get out of it. How can this school and its resources assist me?
His schedule should include a reduced load-one at a time if necessary. Take the courses he likes and can do well in first (if they exist) Ask for sylabus before taking the course-if the Prof has 10 tests-it might be better not to take it-if exams are a challenge. Papers can be done over a longer period of time and students can have assistance editing.
advisors will often tell the student about the requirements-time for requirements is not the first few semeseters-students need the success first. Help him navigate if needed-21 used to sound all grown up -until I had my own 21 year olds.
Tell him to focus on his strengths-if colleges are only filled with the “regular learners” that is a loss for all! Some students need support throughout the entire process-ignore the advisors that say -he should do it on his own! If WInston Churchill didn’t depend on his wife for edits and speeches-England would have been at a loss. Good Luck
I’m desperately looking for a college in Las Vegas that offer a strong support for LD students, could you help me out? please.
We don’t have any listings in Nevada but there may be colleges in Las Vegas that have what you want. Check this search I did at Peterson’s:
Las Vegas Colleges
There are other ways to search as well including google. Good luck.
California community colleges are great. Classes are taught by profs not teachers assistants & give lots of 1-on-1 attention. Our son (aspergers & LD) started by taking electronics courses and ones he loved (& found easy). Now he is ready to start general ed courses with a solid GPA. Try to find what your student is GOOD at and go from there. Also take a lighter load to ensure success before tackling more units and harder courses.
I found the comments to help me understand the many approaches to seeking higher education for the students with learning disabilities. My son has learning disabilities and is very gifted in art. His earlier years of education was a struggle and when it was time to go to college I wanted to help him find a college where he can take studies that he is good at first before the academics so he can feel successful first. We chose Columbia College Chicago, IL. We carefully chose each class and I continue my tutoring to him. His first college year GPA was 3.75. His second college year GPA was 3.490. He is currently taking this semester off so we can regroup and analyze if he should stay with this college, if he should stay in his major – Interactive Multimedia and Animation, what financial aid additional help can he receive, whether he should take 3 to 4 classes per semester. I help him in much guidance, mentoring, advocating and tutoring. I just want to be sure that I have him on the right road. I also want to know that his major will bring him a sure job so he can earn money that can provide him to become self-sufficient throughout his life.
Diahann, it sounds as though you and your son are doing a great job! Congratulations on that and having the type of parent/child relationship that’s capable of this. I have a done a fair amount of college counseling with students who have learning disabilities and my intention is always built around helping the student become more and more independent and self reliant.
One thing I might add (just my opinion, and not to upset the apple cart that seems to be doing just fine): What do you think of getting him used to more diverse opinions and support? Maybe he already does that (asking for input from others, perhaps counselors at the school, etc). That way he continues to get better at widening his recognition and use of effective support systems.
Good luck with everything.
Thank you Sanford, for your response and suggestion. We live in a far south suburban of Chicago, IL and I spent time teaching my son how to use the Metra system to commute daily to college. There are some college students that he has good relationships with that he has spent time on the north side of Chicago letting them get him familiar with the rest of the city and learning what the Chicago L trains system is about. He has and is grouping with people from the college to do after school projects. He is a very cautious person and does not want to deal with people of wrong character. He is now 20 years old and does not know how to drive. I have been divorce since he was 4 years old and there never was a bonding between his Father and he. He feels that he is not ready to learn to drive and we are comfortable with it. In your opinion to you think I should apply for SSI for him just to give him the financial help he needs as he tries to get his education? He has never had a job. He applied for a job a year ago and they gave him a short training session and felt he was not comfortable with knowing his directions for this position. I would appreciate your response if you are able. Thanks. Diahann
Hi Diahann. Those are all good questions. Why wouldn’t you apply for SSI? I don’t have experience with that myself but what is the down side?
I do think you’ve got to get some help (again, there may be a disability specialist at the college who does this) with figuring out what sounds like overall goals, direction and plans for increasing his independence. You might want to first have a converation with him and ask about his goals for more self-reliance. Once you have that, perhaps you can do a little investigating about who to talk to at the college. Once you have that info, give him the job of making an appointment. He can then invite you along or just give permission for you to contact that person by phone (before he meets) in order to round out the background information. Interestingly, as an adult, any meetings and decisions need to be inititiated by him. In the eyes of the law he already is independent in many ways.
Learning how to grapple with a part time job may be hugely beneficial. It sounds as though he may be a bit anxious and if so, will need support in that area. Over time, I’m sure that with guidance and a little push he’ll gain more and more of what he needs. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sanford
Hi! My son is 13 going to High school this coming August. He has been struggling since first grade in Math. Finally, this past school year,after moving from NJ to GA, and us requiring a new assessment in those areas, he was diagnosed with a ld in Math and written English. With help in school and a private tutor at home for 3 hrs. weekly he has been able to keep a 86% in Math and English.We just completed a new IEP for High School. At that meeting,we were told by the Math teacher that our son could only apply for a 2 yr. college after high school as the Math requirements in GA are too high for him. Our son does great in Reading and Social Studies. His current progress report is filled with A’s and B’s. What are our options for his future? Thank you for a wonderful website.
For a list (with links) of colleges and universities that offer comprehensive programs (as opposed to a few services) for students with learning disabilities, you can visit:
www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm
Would you happen to know if any SUNY (State University of New York) colleges offer programs for children with LD (ADD, ADHD, etc)?
I’m sure they all offer a pretty standard array of accomodations and support services. In particular you may want to check out SUNY, Purchase.
My son is 16 and we’re already looking into colleges. His disability is slight; he’s had an IEP since 4th grade and now is a Junior. He is fully untegrated into the NY Regents classes and does well in Math and Science. He has been successful in school and has a solid B average. He has a spelling exemption and extended time. He doesn’t know yet what he wants to do, although he’s narrowed it down, but I want him to attend a college with a comprehensive program, even if he never utilizes it. He wants to attend a 4 year university and apply to the same colleges as his friends. Finances are also a factor! Because my son has a mild LD, how do we, his parents, help him decide what to look for in a college? Although all colleges have mandated LD programs, and since my son doesn’t need intensive assistance, how can we advise him? His guidance counselor told me not to even worry about it until next year, but seniors he’s friendly with have told him to start now. He also wants to take an SAT/ACT preg course to help him with those tests, but he needs more help with the Verbal than the Math portion. How can we find a good prep course that would help him in our area? He’s sent in his SSD form (for the exemptions he needs to take the tests).
hi! my name is twanda horne and i 17 year old. i am in the 12 group. in detroit city hihg school. i what to go college but i can not read…….. can you look for a colleges for me.
thank you
my child just appl. for colleges about 2 weeks ago- she has had an iep since 1st grade.her gpa is 2.9 but she works like she should have a 3.9. and she did not do good on sat.
when i asked her guidence consulor if they sent her iep info with her transcripts she told me they don’t do that until she gets accepted and picks a school.
i’m wondering if i should contact schools and let them know or not?
i think if was looking at a student with good sat and 3.3-then looking at my daughters without knowing about her iep-i would pick the other.
thanks.
My daughter is a junior in HS She is a very poor tester. Her PSAT score was a 960 she is currently going to Huntington Learning Center to help her with test taking and her SATS. We are currently looking at colleges. Should I tell them that My daughter has a learning disability? She has had an IEP since first grade. Help I am really scared for her. Also does she have to pass the HSPA in order to gradulate from HS?
Thanks Debbie
Debbie,
Absolutely you should tell the college that your daughter has a learning disability. Why would you even think about not disclosing that information? In fact, you may want to even consider having her attend a college that is specifically geared to working with kids with learning differences. There are number of good ones around the country where the PSAT score is not important in determining admission. If your daughter has been on an IEP since first grade, that, in itself, is an indication that she needs lots of academic assistance. No need to be scared for her. There are plenty of colleges that can help her.
Hi,
My son is currently a sophomore in high school. He did poorly on the psat’s. He does not test well. Is there any program you can recommend for preparing the LD student for the sat’s?
Thank you.
I am looking for a college for my son who has a significant LD and is very interested in construction management. He has his heart set on Florida, but we would consider new England as well??????????????????
Hi. My name is Selina Carter. My son William was diagnosed with Specific Learning Disability, (PDD)Processing Delay Disorder, receptive and expressive language barriers. William has struggled with academics since Pre-K. Most of the years he’s been down on himself mainly because my two daughters are at the opposite end of the spectrum; they’re gifted. Within the past two years Will has found his calling; BASKETBALL. Now all he talks about is playing for a college in the next 5 years. I know how difficult it is to get into college and with his grades and learning difficulties, I’m not sure if he is being realistic. I think he may fair out O.K. if he goes to a 2-yr junior college, but he is thinking along the lines of North Carolina. Is there a 4 year college that specialize in helping students with significant learning disabilities. (Truly helping them; not just accepting them because they have a talent then watch the child fall through the cracks because of academic difficulties).
Thanks.
Selina: There are many 4 year colleges that have good LD support programs and we have some of them listed at this web site. However, finding one with a decent basketball program will be a challenge (I think).
The determining factor will be how he’s doing academically when he’s ready to apply. If he’s doing well enough with support, UNC might be a possibility. You never know what will happen in the next few years.
So, keep your mind and options open, keep him in the books and basketball (both) and see how things progress.
Maybe consider basketball camp during a summer if he’s up for it.
i am a adult with a LD at want to go to college live in new york there is no help
Yester: What part of the process do you need help with? Do you need help finding a college or applying for college?
I have seen a number of people on this site recommending that high school students inform college admissions offices that they have a learning disability. Why? Generally, post-secondary institutions are not in the business of helping individuals with disabilities. In fact, they are not allowed to discriminate on the basis of a person’s disability. From their point of view, they would probably rather not know so that they don’t have to worry whether the knowledge of the disability is influencing their decision.
They are recruiting students who meet their admission criteria, who are likely to succeed at the institution, and who will add something positive to the college community. If a high school student can demonstrate all of those things without disclosing, I say don’t disclose.
If an individual’s disability has limited his/her achievements in high school, disclosing the disability might help the admissions office to understand the high school record and to overlook something. And then they should not think about it again.
Disclosing during the application process is not a way to make arrangements for accommodations early. At most institutions, telling the admissions office about a disability does not count as a request for disability services and accommodations are not usually determined until the student has been admitted and accepted the offer. Only then does the disability services office want to see documentation and request for accommodations.
Richard: Given what you’ve written I’m still not sure what the downside of disclosing a learning disability during the admission process is. Even if it doesn’t help, it also doesn’t hurt as you’ve said, so why attempt to hide it?
I have a daughter who just completed her freshman year at a good private college in NY State. When she was applying to colleges her senior year we discoverd there really was no part of the common application which allowed you to disclose a LD. From the admission people we had spoken to at college fairs, they stated they are not allowed to take that into consideration when making their decisions. However, most suggested you incorporate it into your essay. She did this and was accepted and 10 of the 11 schools to which she applied. She wrote and essay about how she compensates for her disabilities. fresman year was tough I won’t lie. She really perserveres and her social life is limited beacause she has to study so much more than the regular student. Extended time saved her and she had to hire tutors. She tries not to take the full course load. She took a summer class to catch up. My husband helps her with writing courses long distance but everything else she manages to get by on her own or find a tutor. She wants to be dentist. I am not sure this is the best career choice but if she gets a degree in health science I am sure there will be other options. She still has a hard time advocating for herself and as a parent it is hard to step back but she will have to learn this.
Thanks for what you said. It is great to hear that a student is doing well. What colleges did she apply to?
i am a senior in high school and I have a LD, i have taken the SATs, and i am going to take them soon again to see if my score gets any better, but my score the first time were not good. I am worried about applying to places, i have all of the schools picked out, and there are a couple in conneticut and mass that I am planning on applying to because they help people with learning disabilites, and i am also going to apply community college.
Tori: There are many schools for you that have decent LD support programs. Your SAT scores get you in the door but staying in school means taking full advantage of the LD support programs at these schools to get the right class placement and keep up with reading and writing.
These days scores on the SAT are much less important than they were just a few years ago so don’t sweat the test too much. Just do your best and visit the schools you’re interested to see what they offer in the way of support.
I didn’t have a decent GPA out of high school and had a less than great score on the SAT. I went to a community college for a single semester, got my GPA up, then transferred to the University of Oregon where I did much better than I’d have done had I gone there right out of high school. I needed time to get my study skills in order, something I’d not done in high school.
Going to a community college is not admitting failure, it’s a useful step to make sure that you get even more out of a four year college you might transfer to. I’m glad I went to a community college, I really am.
Good luck.
I am the parent of a outstanding basketball player who being told by many coaches that he could have a promising career in the sports, is having a hard time finding a college to accept him because he has a learning disability. He is a recent graduate from high school . Are there any programs that I can get in touch with that can help him. He thinks, sleep, and play basketball. It is his life dream. Will I have to tell him because of his disability that his life dream is over.Can anybody help me and tell me what I need to do?
I will llike for my son to have aleast a chance to prove that he is more than a disability.
Mary: I think what happens is that college scouts come to high school games and offer sports scholarships to outstanding players. It’s up to his high school coach to get in touch with such scouts and have them come to games.
That’s one way.
Another way is to find schools he wants to go to that have basketball programs looking for players and get in touch with them to see what they offer in the way of scholarships.
Either way the connection does not get automatically made: your son has to play and be noticed, and the school has to want him.
As far as I know, his LD should not get in the way of this kind of scholarship except in the rare case where the college or university doesn’t have a decent LD support program and might not be able to support him academically. It’s always the case that a student who enterers college on a sports scholarship has to actually go to school and pass. There has been controversy over the years about this point but most schools enforce it vigorously.
My son is a junior right now and he struggles with his ld and motivation. He has had and IEP since he was very young and was also in gifted/ld classes. He is very talented in art and graphics. It is his passion yet even with this he moves along slowly. He is not a great test taker. We live in Missouri and I would really like to know about colleges that have good art and/or computer programs and that also work well with ld students. His grades are not great.
My daughter was diagnosed with ADD and she is a sophmore in HS I am currently looking for a college for her to attend. She is currently receiving services in HS. I would also like her to stay in the New York area we are from Long Island. Please let me know of any colleges.
Thank you,
Heather Turrisi
You originally from Cambridge, MA ?
hi,
i’m looking for colleges in the northeastern part of the country which has learning support services for my child who has a learning disability.
any suggestions?
Hope,
On this site, here’s a good place to start: www.ldresources.org/2008/11/01/colleges-with-programs-for-learning-disabled-students/
I am looking for colleges in the Texas area for my stepson who has an Auditory Processing Learning Disability. Any suggestions?
My son is going to take the Illinois Plumbers state test in June. This will be his 3rd try. The test has 3 parts, a drawing, practical, and written. Each time he fails the written. He has dyslexia. Is there any accomodations for some one in this situation who has a reading based disorder?
Gary: That’s a question for the state of Illinois or the group administering the test. There may be but the trades are the last ones to build accommodations into their testing process.
It may be illegal for them to issue the test without accomodations if they receive federal funding but no one may have called them up on it before. I doubt it will be tough for them to do if they’re of a mind to do it.
Please let us know what you find out.
Hi,
I am a mother of a sophmore with a LD of severe auditory processing problems. He would love to be an xray technician, his strength seems to be science, but he needs my guidance in reminding him to study. I am struggling in finding a community college in ny, ny that offers radiology technician and will be LD friendly and supportive. He is a very quite kid, who wants to go away for college, but I cannot afford it. I just wanted to make sure that he does not get fustrated with this major, because its tough. Presently in high school his average grade has been approx 75-79.
pleaase give me an adviceregarding schools in ny, and if this is a good major for someone with his LD to chhoose. thank you
Have you looked @ Farleigh Dickinson? They reportedly offer a fully structured LD support program and have various degrees/programs in Radiology Technology. Not technically in NY, but it’s awfully close to NYC.
I can’t comment on whether or not this would be a good field for him.
Hi,
My teenager has a reading disabilty. She has an IEP, and a McKay scholship. Right now she is at a pravite school for students that have learing disabilty. When she grows up she wants to be a preshool teacher. Which college be just right for her
Thanks
Hi My son is visually imapaired, has a gpa of 3.6 is in all honors classes….average’s a b. He loves Princeton and since he was in 3rd grade wants to attend. Have you any suggestions on what it takes or will they even consider someone with a disability. He has a iep with extended time for test taking. Has a flair for the arts, theater and film industry.
Any suggestions?
Mary: Have you talked with Princeton directly? The best thing to do is to call them and ask.
Hi, my son is a 17 year-old senior about to graduate in June. He is the second child of a set of triplets(anothere brother and a sister). I am trying to get them ready for college and I am stuck when it comes to him. He says he wants to be professional drummer or a cook when he grows up.The cooking I can see. The drumming I don’t, but this is his life. I just want him to happy and self-sufficient in whatever he does. Are there schools for him with a learning disability that are structured for him to learn these things? I also want to know if weshould look at 4 year or 2 year schools
Hi,
My son Ben is a 19-year-old (he repeated 2nd grade) high school senior. He has had IEPs and 504 plans since 1st grade and extensive, if (apparently) ineffective, tutoring over the years.
Testing in ’09 revealed learning issues, but nothing that with a discrete, identifiable learning disability label. We’ve since learned that his learning differences fall under the general label “executive dysfunction.”
Ben has applied to 12 colleges (all small, liberal arts), been accepted at several, waitlisted at a couple, rejected at 2, and waiting to hear from several more.
Ben is extremely effective and active in community service activities such as Habitat for Humanity, political activist efforts, and other hands-on ventures. It is his strong “extras” record, rather than academics, which, I believe, effected his college acceptances.
The problem is, in this, his last 1/2 year of high school, we’ve just learned his interim grades are all Ds or worse.
I am at my wits end and don’t know where to turn. His father and I are contemplating a Gap Year next year, but are wondering if that is simply postponing the inevitable.
BTW, he attended a 3-week summer program at Landmark College last year and is receiving tutoring with a specialist in executive dysfunction issues.
Any thoughts, direction or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Hi, I have recently been searching out a school that would be a proper fit. In high school I did extremely poor and ended up with under a 2.0 as well as i didn’t take my sat. I was accepted into Landmark College but was looking for a more mainstream college preferably in California That Isn’t a Community College any ideas?
Brandon,
What’s your opposition to starting with a two year community college?
My daughter is a junior with ADD and visual/motor processing deficit. She struggles with time issues and reading speeds on tests. She has extended time for tests at school, and has taken the SAT’s with low reading scores. This has been a problem for her since early elemantary school. Math and Science skills are strong. She takes Honors and AP’s, and has a great academic profile foundation for the science related fields. She wants to be an engineer.
Since she has low reading test scores, should she disclose this on an essay regarding her struggles with test taking? This is the only thing that would hinder her from college acceptance. Otherwise, GPA and class rank are good (3.9 and top 7%). Her reading SAT was a 470. She is the “involved” student who also tutors/mentors to younger students.
Lori,
Your question: “Since she has low reading test scores, should she disclose this on an essay regarding her struggles with test taking?”
My answer: Absolutely. Without a doubt your daughter should consider self-disclosing her learning disabilities. Doing so will give the school a chance to consider her uneven profile (in regards to testing) in the proper context.
In addition, she’ll be better off at a school that accepts her for who she is as a learner.
Certain schools will have clear ways to disclose and others you have to direct the disclosure. Sometimes this can be done in a cover letter.
If a particular college or university has a high enough level of support for students with LD, then there may even be a separate admission’s process to that support program. In any event given that time demands are much different once in college (compared to that in high school), she’ll want to consider what types of services and levels of support and accommodations are available at a given school.
Whenever I counsel a student with learning disabilities for college selection and application, I encourage being upfront with your needs.
Having ADHD is sometimes thought of as a learning disability, largely because it can so greatly impact our ability to study effectively. The great news is that with ADHD coaching anyone can learn tools to help them achieve their goals.
Shanna,
Thanks for writing in. I’ve been working with people with ADHD for over twenty-five years and have done a fair amount of coaching as well. It’s a great model and one that’s been shown to be effective for some people.
So, I agree with your theme. Your problem I have with your comment that “The great news is that with ADHD coaching anyone can learn tools to help them achieve their goals,” is it sounds like a commercial. I have a feeling you’re more serious than that though.
Also, you write this comment in a thread about Choosing Colleges. Not sure that’s where you wanted it.
So, if you are an ADHD coach, what are some of the highlight’s you would stress for success?