College Success For Students With Learning Disabilities: Strategies And Tips To Make The Most Of You
Ludmila Hargett
Every student learns differently, and those with learning disorders may find the average classroom environment intimidating, especially in college. But with proper accommodations,support and preparation, students with learning disorders can not only find success,but excel in higher education. In 2017, students with learning disorders were three times more likely to drop out of school, but a growing number of advocates and resources are encourages these students to build a love for learning. Get to know some of the common signs of learning disorders below, and get connected with the resources designed to help students with learning disabilities who are preparing for college, including scholarship information and expert advice for achieving academic success.
Students with learning disorders should consider which schools will best accommodate their specific needs. Here are some aspects of the college search process that college-bound students with learning disorders may want to take into consideration, as well as resources that can help them make their choice.
College Success for Students With Learning Disabilities: Strategies and Tips to Make the Most of You
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Unique Schools & Programs: There are colleges and curriculums designed more specifically for students with learning disorders, including Landmark College in Massachusetts, the University of Arizona's Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center and University of California, Berkeley's Disabled Students' Program.
Standardized tests can place students with learning disorders at a disadvantage because most colleges require SAT and/or ACT scores as part of a student's application. Here are some ways students with learning disorders can prepare for standardized test success.
The FairTest: FairTest is a movement to eliminate schools' reliance on standardized testing due to the way it mis-represent some groups' knowledge and intelligence, including students with learning disabilities. Over 1, 000 colleges and universities are considered FairTest schools because they either do not use, do not require, or otherwise do not rely heavily on SAT/ACT test scores for their admissions decisions.
In college, structured accommodation plans are not provided as they are for high school students;it is the students' responsibility to request and coordinate. Accommodations may not be the only tools that can elevate a student with a learning disorder's educational experience.
Since college is student- not adult-directed it is critical that a student understands their learning challenges and is comfortable with his/her special needs. This will allow the students to take advantage of the resources that are available to them.
Students with learning disabilities may find approaching classroom activities from unique angles is the answer to academic success. Here are some common classroom situations that students with learning disabilities may struggle with paired with resources to help.
Studying: Studying in college encompasses a vast array of tasks, from reading textbooks to completing worksheets. Each student will have their own way to approach these tasks, and students with learning disabilities often need to be even more aware of which approaches work for them. Here are some resources that may help:
College campuses are great places to meet new people. This can be a great opportunity to make new friends and explore new passions, though students with learning disorders many not perceive social interactions the same way their peers do.
LD Student Blog: A collection of podcasts and articles submitted by college students with learning disorders, whose goal is to help prepare incoming freshmen with learning differences for a variety of college experiences and challenges.
In most situations, a learning disability is not readily observable. Because there are no outward signs of a disability such as a white cane or wheelchair, students with learning disabilities are often overlooked or misunderstood. Some instructors and administrators suspect that students who claim to have learning disabilities are faking it, are playing the system, or lack the intelligence needed to succeed in college. Understanding the implications of learning disabilities, preparing to teach students with diverse characteristics, and learning to accommodate students with learning disabilities are essential for faculty and staff to provide academic and career opportunities for these students that are equivalent to those provided to their nondisabled peers.
As the number of individuals being diagnosed with learning disabilities has increased, so have the understanding and utilization of academic and technological strategies for accommodation. There are a number of things instructors can do while planning a course to make it more accessible to all students, including those with learning disabilities. Proactively considering these strategies is part of a process called universal design (UD). UD offers the following suggestions:
The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center is an academic support program that provides services to University of Arizona students with learning and attention challenges. Our innovative approach is recognized as one of the most successful at promoting student achievement in the university setting.
For many students, college is a rite of passage; an opportunity to find yourself and become independent. As a world-class research university with more than 120 majors and over 500 student organizations, the University of Arizona offers the freedom to explore and grow. And for students with learning and attention challenges, the SALT Center is here to empower that growth with the strategies and techniques you need to succeed.
College freshmen often find themselves face to face with unexpected challenges. Not knowing how to navigate the system, coupled with the rapid pace of academics (a typical semester is 15 weeks) can cause even the best students to falter that first year. For students with learning disabilities, however, a few missteps at the beginning can have dire consequences, leaving students in a hole from which they may not be able to dig themselves out. The list below will help students with LD avoid typical college pitfalls and set them up for post-secondary success.
Joan M. Azarva runs Conquer College with LD, a website for parents of college-bound students with learning differences. She also has a private practice in the Philadelphia suburbs that focuses on helping students make the successful transition from high school to college.
There are many learning disabilities that can be challenging in a college environment. Typically, students will work closely with college personnel to navigate their specific condition. Here are some of the most common learning disabilities that often require accommodations.
I would highly recommend that you visit the Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) office, meet with the staff, and see what accommodations the college may offer compared to your current IEP or 504 plan. This is very important, as some DSPS offices offer better accommodations than others. You want to make sure you choose the college that provides all the support you need to achieve success.
Yes, students with disabilities should maximize all the resources available to them so that they are provided with opportunities to access curriculum and achieve success. Join study groups, get involved in committees on campus, listen to books on tape, and download any apps or other digital tools that may be able to improve your college experience.
College Success for Students With Learning Disabilities (2nd ed.) offers students the knowledge, guidance, and strategies they need to effectively choose a college, prepare for university life, and make the most of their collegiate experience. This revised edition:
Planning for college can be one of the biggest moments in any student's life, but for students with disabilities, the experience can be challenging on many different levels. This book will empower future students and provide them with hope for success.
Episode #32. In this rebroadcast for National Able to Save Month, host Jonathan Hughes is joined by Sarah Lazare, Director of the Banacos Academic Center at Westfield State University. Sarah explains how students with disabilities can prepare for college success and what specific programs Westfield State University offers to help students with disabilities navigate college. If you enjoy the MEFA Podcast, please leave us a review.
College Success offers learning strategies courses for determined college students. Find the best method for you to retain information and discover ways to better handle the demands of academics. Instead of teaching a specific subject, these classes provide opportunities to gain academic skills.
Below are ten tips for academic success and associated handouts for each tip. We also recommend harnessing the tips learned in our recommended reading for incoming students, Working Smarter, Not Just Harder: Three Sensible Strategies for Succeeding in College...and Life by Dr. Karl W. Reid. Our incoming students have the opportunity to participate in a book club for Working Smarter, Not Just Harder in which they are placed into weekly discussion groups and get the chance to connect with Vanderbilt peers, staff, and faculty.
Building relationships with others is one of the most valuable things that you can do in college. In addition to developing friendships with classmates, it is important to get to know your professors (and teaching assistants, if applicable). You can get to know your professors and teaching assistants by asking questions in class, sending communication, or visiting office hours. Your professors genuinely want to help you succeed in the class. To make the most out of office hours, you will want to come prepared with a few specific questions to ask. This small act of preparation will let your professors know that you are valuing their time and trying to succeed in their class.
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