A Guide to Beginning the College Admissions Process for Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities Learning disabilities are often characterized by a student who has difficulties in one or more areas of learning. Common examples of learning disabilities are dyslexia (difficulty reading), dyscalculia (difficulty with math), and dysgraphia (difficulty writing). Whatever your child’s specific diagnosis, there are certain strategies to make their college application process run more smoothly. This guide is geared towards students with learning disabilities who want to attend a college that does not have specialized programs but offers different types of support and accommodation.
When should parents talk to their student who has learning disabilities about the college process?
Many students who have learning disabilities are more aware of their learning styles and abilities than others. High school is an important time for students with learning disabilities to not only understand their academic strengths and challenges but also to begin to practice self-advocacy skills. In college, they will need to ask for and utilize accommodations, and it is important for them to start practicing this skill in high school. Some colleges require the student to request academic accommodations at the beginning of every semester. Parents should begin talking to their students about this advocacy by their junior year of high school.
How much should parents help their students with the college search process?
Visiting colleges, whether in person or virtual, can be a good way for students and parents to bond as they learn about the different schools. Families like to do college visits differently. Some families like to all do the tours and information sessions together. Others decide that the parents will tour separately from the student. My advice is to discuss all of this with your student and ask them how they would like the process organized. For some students, this is the first time that they have had the chance to evaluate educational institutions, so try to let them take the lead while giving them an understanding of your family’s parameters. It is also a good idea to begin the discussion of what support and accommodations might look like in college. Discuss what has worked and what hasn’t in high school. It can also be a good idea for the student to talk to the counselor or learning specialist who has worked with them in high school to see what they advise will be helpful in college.
What should the strategy be when looking for a college?
Researching different colleges is important for all students, especially those with learning disabilities. All students need to consider the factors that are important to them in a college, including size, location, academic offerings, social life, etc. Initially, it is important to try to determine what types of schools are the right fit for the student before considering disability services. Once a student has figured out what kind of school they would like to attend, a student with learning disabilities should research the support each institution offers. The best place to start this inquiry is with the school’s office of disabilities or accessibility office. Students and parents should research what types of accommodations are available and what kind of documentation is required. On each college’s website look up the information for academic and other accommodations. Most schools have a page devoted to these services that explain what is offered.
What if there are specific questions?
Most colleges that offer accommodations have contact information listed where you can reach out with questions. In college, the student will need to deal directly with the office of accommodations, so try to let them be the ones who are in contact with that office. This can be an important resource for them once they get to the school. During the application process, let the student get a sense of how it works.
Should the student disclose their learning disability on the college application?
This question comes up often. Families worry that disclosure of a disability may negatively affect the student’s chance of admission. Colleges are not allowed to ask about it, which leaves the decision of disclosure up to the student and family. The admissions office will evaluate the student on their academic record, activities, and interests. Although this decision needs to be made based on individual circumstances, my general advice is to disclose the information about the learning disability if it provides an explanation or clarity about the student’s academic record or other interests. On the Common Application, there is a section called “Additional Information” where the student can provide information about their learning disability. The disclosure should include the diagnosis and a description of how the student has addressed it and why they are prepared for college. Typically, the personal essay is not the ideal place to disclose this information because it is a chance for the student to focus on aspects of their character and interests. An exception is if the student can write a compelling essay that shows their personality but also includes their learning differences.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about college admissions, please visit Excelsioradmissions.com or click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to learn how I can help with your college admissions process. More resources about specific academic accommodations can be found at The College Board, The ACT, and The National Center for Learning Disabilities.
