Colleges Make Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities

It's hard enough transitioning from high school to college - moving away from home, becoming more independent, getting used to a more challenging academic environment. Factor into this transition a learning disability, and this transition can be downright daunting. Yet many colleges, big and small, have programs specifically designed for incoming students with documented disabilities. Consider the following ways to plan ahead for your child's transition to college:

• Medications may need adjusting
• Plan for a place to get refills
• Factor in additional services:
• student learning centers
• programs that focus on study skills and organizational strategies
• office of disability services
• other specialized services for A.D.H.D, dyslexia, or other LDs

The University of Arizona has a flagship Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center, where a learning specialist is matched with a student, providing mentoring, tutoring, and counseling services. Landmark College in Vermont and Beacon College in Florida run exclusively for students with learning disabilities.

Finally, there's no better research than your own. Check out the following guides: “The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students With Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder” (Princeton Review) and “Survival Guide for College Students With A.D.H.D. or L.D.” (American Psychological Association). Kathleen G. Nadeau, author of “Survival Guide,” recommends trying to find out about the college’s general attitude toward providing accommodations, and how difficult it is to get them. One way is talking to students who are using the services.

As a last bit of caution, there was an interesting article in the New Yorker last week about college students abusing their prescription drugs - and a growing number of undiagnosed students taking Ritalin offshoots for "cognitive enhancement." Best advice is just to stay in touch with your kids, make sure they use - not abuse - the tools to thrive in college.