Going to college is a rite of passage for many
teenagers. Years ago, students with
learning differences were often excluded from this exciting journey. Today, more and more students with learning
disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism
are pursuing higher education. If you
have a child with a learning difference, it is important to understand the
variety of options that are available to your student and the factors that lead
to success.
First of all, the disability laws governing college students
are different from the laws that apply in K through 12. In high school, all students have a right to
receive an education, the school is obligated to identify and evaluate students
with learning differences, teachers reach out to students, there is an IEP,
educational requirements must be altered if necessary, services are free, and
families have a right to due process.
In college, there are no IEPs, schools are not required to
identify or test students with disabilities, services do not have to be
provided free of charge, students are responsible for self-identifying and
advocating for themselves, only necessary accommodations have to be provided,
and admission, course, and graduation requirements do not have to be changed to
accommodate students with disabilities.
However, some colleges and universities offer disability services above
and beyond what is required by law.
For these reasons, it is key for students with learning
differences who want to go to college to understand their disability, know their
strengths and weaknesses, and be able to articulate what accommodations they
need to achieve success. If your student
has an IEP, he or she should be participating in IEP meetings and have a
Transition Plan in place by the age of 16.
The Transition Plan sets forth your child’s post-secondary goals and what
steps need to be taken in order to achieve those goals. In addition, when you and your child begin to
investigate colleges, you should ask certain questions to determine whether his
or her academic and social needs can be met.
Some colleges offer comprehensive, structured programs that
support students with learning differences.
Typically, there is an additional fee for such programs but a few
schools do not charge extra. Sometimes,
there is a separate application for the program, and sometimes there isn’t. Some schools will consider students for
admission through the learning disability program that might not otherwise meet
the eligibility requirements for general admission. One
issue when applying to college with a learning disability is how and when to
disclose it.
Depending on the school, your student may be eligible to receive
a wide variety of services including tutoring, skills workshops, note-takers,
oral exams, extended time for tests, a distraction-free environment, housing
accommodations, priority registration, and special advising. In addition, assistive technology may be
available and training on how to use this technology might be included.
Two colleges that are dedicated exclusively to students with
learning differences are Landmark College in Vermont and Beacon College in
Florida. Below is a partial list of
colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive disability support
program:
Adelphi University
American University
Barry University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Gannon University
Hofstra University
Lynn University
Manhattanville College
Marist College
Marshall University
Marymount Manhattan College
Mercyhurst College
Mitchell College
Northeastern University
University of Arizona
University of Denver
In addition to these schools, there are many other colleges
and universities that provide a level of coordinated services above and beyond
what is required by law. Contact
Precision Admission for more information!
