Going to College With a Learning Disability

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!