Excerpt taken from the “ Handbook for College Bound
Students with Learning Disabilities” by Linda Sturm, Director of Guidance,
During the college selection process, all families need to consider financial ability, the student’s academic ability and the college’s admission criteria. A student with a learning disability may also want to consider whether or not a college offers appropriate support services. The following are basic services that most colleges should have available:
Some colleges offer individual diagnosis, assessment and testing. Colleges may also have a learning center with a learning disabilities specialist present. Consider visiting the college’s learning center to determine answers to the following.
Is the learning center easy to access?
Is it bright, cheery and well lit?
How is it staffed?
What resources are available?
Is the center open to all students or specifically for learning disabled?
Is the director of the center tied to the school’s faculty or a separate entity?
Parents sometimes wonder if they should discuss their child’s learning disability with the college. In most cases, students should indicate the nature of the learning disability services they have received in high school, and the nature of the accommodations that will be necessary in college, if any. If the college has a special learning support program, the student should also be in contact with the director of that program during the admissions process. Colleges that have a program for learning-disabled students require professional assessments that document and identify the specific learning disability of the student who is applying. Keep in mind that Section 504 prohibits discrimination against learning disabled students in recruitment, testing, admissions and treatment after admissions.
For more information check out these resources:
Learning Disabilities Association of
Sue Hollinger, President
2E
(207) 582-2866