According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 200,000 students entering college in the U.S. each year have some type of documented learning disability. And while over 90% of high school students with learning disabilities receive some form of assistance, only 17% of college students with learning disabilities take advantage of learning assistance resources at their school.  

only 17% of college students with learning disabilities take advantage of learning assistance resources at their school.  

This statistic may help explain why students with learning disabilities unfortunately have a much higher rate of dropout than their counterparts. New students may be unsure about who/where to ask for help, unfamiliar with the specific services that are available to them, or apprehensive about seeking help. 

Many schools have a dedicated office where students with disabilities can go to find the resources they need. There are many accommodations available, but not all are offered at every school. It is important to ask about which accommodations are available during the application process in order to set your student up for success.

Here are some of the most common accommodations you might find:

• Disability Resource Centers - both on and off campus

• Extra time for coursework and exams, alternative exam formats (i.e. oral instead of written), quiet rooms for exams 

• Audiobooks and text-to-speech software

• Recording lectures on a digital device

• Providing lecture notes

• Stress management tools

• Proofreading and spelling and grammar supports

• Help with study schedules and timelines for projects

While securing access to the appropriate accommodations is a vital component of successful college level learning, it is important to note that special accommodations alone are an insufficient ingredient for overall success. General Supports are those that are available to all students, such as the use of a tutoring center, professor office hours, or student study groups. These should most definitely be researched and utilized as well. 

General Supports are those that are available to all students, such as the use of a tutoring center, professor office hours, or student study groups. These should most definitely be researched and utilized as well. 

This sentiment was echoed by the results of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2, a 10-year-long research study funded by the Department of Education and focusing on students with disabilities in the college setting. The study found that more students used General Supports than accommodations, and they emphasized the importance of students using both kinds of support.

Part of the college experience is learning to be your advocate. Seeking out help when needed is an important life skill honed during these years. If a student doesn’t fully grasp the material presented during the lecture, they might ask around about a study group or go to their professor’s office hours. Learning which methods and strategies of study work best for them is part of the process. Having the knowledge of which supports are available and the self-initiative to seek out these supports and utilize them is the full recipe for success.

If you are looking for the best fit for College for your student with learning differences we are booking now for our summer session consultations.

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Ask The Advocate, Maureen Brown

Special Education Advocate Massachusetts