What to do While Still in High School
Know Your Learning Disability: What is it? How does it manifest itrself? What are your learning strengths? Challenged areas? What strategies work for you? Which do not? Pick the minds of your teachers, parentrs, guidance counselors and school psychologist for this information. Make sure to attend your annual IEP meeting!! It's your life and you will very soon be taking on the responsability for knowing this infomration.
Examine the Amount of Special Education Services You Have Been receiving. Find your "Critical Threshold" for Support: If it's a lot of service, push yourself a little and see if you can survive with a little less (while still giving you adequate support). Colleges-even ones with comprehsive services-invariably cannot offer the same level of service as that received in HS. What is "nice to have" vs. what is essential for academic survival.
Grades/Levels Trade-Off: If you can, and you are capable of doing so, push yourself academically with more challenging courses, even if it means getting a B-instead if an A.
Update the Testing if Necessary: Testing should be no more than three years old; some schools ask for material no more that two years old. Junior year is a good time to begin arrangements. Find out from colleges you are potentially applying to what kind and type of documentation they need before you arrange for testing, and then speak with your high schools special education office. They may or may not be able to provide exactly what the college asks for and it will be your responsibility, not the high school's, to comply.
Visit the College(s) of Your Choice: Either late Junior year or during Senior year, vivit the admissions office and the office providing special services. Interview them as much as they interview you. They may have the learning disabilities support you want, but do they have the sports? The major? The student life?
My Son or Daughter is adamant--They don't want anything to do with any disabilities office
ADA Questions & Answers: The ADA, Section 504 & Post Secondary Education
Section 504: The Law & Its Impact on Postsecondary Education
Students with Disabilities for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights!!
Getting Ready for College: Advising High School Students with Learning Disabilities
Post Secondary College Options for Students with Disabilities
Resources for Parents and Students who have ADHD
Additude Website: Inside the ADHD Mind
Bound for College? 10 tips to help college students with ADHD achieve academic, social, and personal success.
Other college-related articles HERE.