Beyond High School

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After 12 years of struggle in the public school system, my 18 year old daughter is ready to graduate. If I had not pushed for accommodations and assessments along the way she might never have gotten to this point. The public school system seemed to have put every obstacle to achievement in her way because of their inability to grasp the profound ways in which executive function delays and writing issues manifest themselves in written output. All along they kept telling me she tested well (average to bright range) and should be doing much better. They accused her of "not trying hard enough" and "not taking responsibility" for getting her assignments in on time. They accused me of wanting too many accommodations and not allowing her to fail so that she could "learn the natural consequences of failure." They thought allowing her to fail would some how motivate her to do well and that all her executive function issues would miraculously disappear. I have kept my daughter going with the promise that once she got out of public school and into college things would be better, not perfect, but certainly better. Can any one out there recommend a great ADHD friendly college with a great disability support team?(preferably in Illinois or Ohio) Any suggestions on where to go from here?

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I work with LD high school and college students and find that many do well with a community college that has a terrific support system. I know of at least one in the state of Maryland but none near you. There are colleges which offer good support, but you must be careful. I would suggest reading a college guide available on line or at good book stores. There is one available which is geared to colleges that offer LD support. Then when you visit the college and choose, make sure you have support structures in place, that your daughter takes a light course load the first semester and checks in with the dysability support services office regularly. Some colleges even offer transition classes and summer programs before that first semester. One in our area is Project Access. Have your daughter begin with one or two courses that really interest her and not just the core courses recommended. If she is invested and interested, she is more likely to do well. In addition, make sure she is organized from the beginning: calendar, binders, alarm clock. Perhaps even hire a study skills support person to help with the first semester or until she finds her feet so to speak. Perhaps the key is to find a school where the dysability support office does more than assure compliance with accommodations and truly takes an interest in the transition to independent learning. Good luck.

My daughter has executive functioning issues as well. She is currently in kindergarten and we are about to move to North Hollywood. Do you know of any good schools in the area that could accommodate her? I would prefer a private school.

Mideegan: I'm confused by your comments: "it is my understanding that most colleges have specific spots for young adults with learning disabilities." and "From what I understand there are a certain number of learning disabled students required."

Most colleges and universities offer their disabled students support through a specific office -- perhaps that's what you meant by specific spots. As far as a certain number of disabled student admissions being required -- by whom?

I would expect that the reason that your friend's child was accepted was simply because the school recognized his or her abilities and talents in spite of the disability -- not because of it.

Otherwise, it's suggesting that the student was accepted over more qualified candidates and isn't that the same argument made by those who claim that students of color are preferentially treated based on their ethnicity.

I apologize for bringing up a difficult subject but it is something near and dear to my heart -- it's important to me that I not ignore these kind of comments which are often made out of a lack of understanding as opposed to malice.

It is my understanding that most colleges have specific "spots" for young adults with learning disabilities. We have a friend with a dyslexic child that was accepted and attended a better known school when other children in her class did not get accepted. From what I understand there are a certain number of learning disabled students required.

If you don't feel your daughter has learned all the skills to be successful in college, and therefore has not accomplished every goal listed on her IEP, then if she does not graduate, the district is responsible for her Education until she meets all her goals and objectives (or turns 22). That doesn't mean she has to stay in your high school. There are many schools that offer transiton programs for students who need to learn some of the things you've mentioned that your daughter has difficulty with. If she wold benefit from a transiton year before going to college, request this at your IEP meeting before letting her accept her diploma (of course, she has to agree to this plan). She can still walk in the graduation ceremony.
I'm currently working on having our district give my daughter a transiton year (she will be a senior next year) because I don't feel she'd be successful at college yet, even though she's bright enough to go to college eventually.

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