I was honored to be asked by The Fairhill School to give a talk about college fit to their sophomores and juniors. It was a great time, with interested and bright students. In case you don’t know, The Fairhill School is a “private, non-profit college preparatory school serving students in grades one through twelve. Fairhill’s primary purpose is to provide a superior education for students of average and above intelligence who have been diagnosed with a learning difference such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Auditory Processing Disorder, or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.”
I work with many students with learning differences, some diagnosed and others have gone undiagnosed. My children have learning differences, and I am ADHD with Impulsivity. Finding these differences while students are young and giving them the tools they require for academic success is essential. Fairhill does exactly that.
I spoke with sophomores and juniors about the importance of fit, not only academically but socially as well. We also went over the differences between high school and college when it comes to school accommodations for disabilities. The differences are:
High School
Guaranteed an education
To maximize student success to fullest extent
Districts must screen and identify
District must develop Individualized Education Plan and makes sure it is followed
Parent acts as advocate
College
No given right to an education
To give an equal opportunity to participate
Student must self-identify
Student develops plan and self-advocates
It is the student’s responsibility to make sure they receive their accommodations
These are, of course, big differences for students. It is best to begin self-advocacy in high school so that it isn’t “new” once a student gets to college. Colleges also have 3 levels of assistance for students with learning differences:
Minimal; accommodations only
Comprehensive Assistance Program
Colleges for Learning Different Students
It is so important that students with differences look at all three types of assistance and decide which one is right for them. Often students who need comprehensive services don’t realize it until they get to college, and such services are not available. College can be overwhelming for any student, but it is vital that the LD student researches LD programs prior to applying to college.
