Finding the Right Fit: A Guide to Colleges with Exceptional Resources for Students with Learning Disabilities
College is a significant investment, marking the beginning of a student’s academic, personal, and professional journey. However, for students with learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia, the transition to college can present unique challenges. Fortunately, many colleges and universities are recognizing these challenges and implementing comprehensive programs and resources to support students with learning disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive.
Understanding the Challenges
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a long-term condition that results in trouble concentrating and can be accompanied by hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. College is filled with new experiences in a student’s academic, personal, and professional life. This can lead to amplified challenges for college students with ADHD. The academic difficulties and new social pressures are hard enough to manage for the typical student who doesn’t have ADHD. Add ADHD to the mix, and it’s no wonder students with this condition may struggle to keep up with challenging coursework or avoid getting into trouble during social events. But with a little bit of help, self-awareness and a desire to learn, students with ADHD can grow and thrive in the college setting.
What to Look for in a College
Choosing the right college is crucial for students with learning disabilities. Beyond the usual considerations like school prestige, location, financial aid, and major offerings, students with ADHD should make every effort to ensure that they will be able to thrive at their chosen institution with the proper accommodations and organizational skills. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Accommodations and Support Services: Look for schools with established offices dedicated to disability services. They should offer a range of academic and physical accommodations tailored to your needs.
- Accessibility: Ensure that the campus, including classrooms and housing, is physically accessible. Check if there’s technology and equipment available to help bridge any accessibility gaps.
- Inclusiveness and Diversity: A school that values diversity and actively promotes inclusion will create a supportive environment for students with disabilities.
- Academic Fit: Consider whether the academic programs and campus culture align with your personal and career goals.
- Learning Style: Identify your learning style. Students can do this with the help of a school counselor who may even be able to give them tips on how to study effectively.
- Class Size: Consider a school that offers small classes to both underclassmen and upperclassmen to benefit from more individualized attention.
- Semesters vs. Quarters: Semesters, as opposed to quarters, should also be considered when choosing a school as this can directly affect the intensity of the courses.
- Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD): Contact a school’s OSD to confirm they have the resources necessary for them to succeed.
Spotlight: Colleges with Exceptional Resources
Many colleges are stepping up to provide comprehensive support for students with learning disabilities. Here are some examples of institutions known for their dedication to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments:
- Beacon College: Beacon College is the first in the nation accredited to award bachelor's degrees exclusively to students with learning disabilities. With small classes with teachers tailoring their teaching to students' unique needs, along with support services, including life coaching and occupational therapy, students are provided with everything they need for tuition. Beacon is committed to affordable tuition and financial aid, with extensive curriculum support with dedicated learning specialists assigned to each student. Beacon follows Florida’s Department of Education Disability Support Services standards and is a great choice for students who want to go to school with peers who also have disabilities.
- Landmark College: Landmark College caters entirely to students who learn differently. Students receive individualized attention from instructors, with classrooms offering a low 6:1 student-teacher ratio. Students are also provided frequent visits with experienced advisors, executive function coaching, and education technology support. In addition, the landmark offers a Bridge Program and several summer programs and is home to the Landmark College Institute for Research and Training. Unlike many schools that simply have a center or program designed for students with learning disabilities, Landmark College is a postsecondary institution specifically intended for students who face learning challenges. Students with dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder and ADHD comprise a significant portion of the student body. Special support services integrated into the curriculum help students in all phases of learning and college living. Students do not need to apply for accommodations because all students receive individualized support for all academic areas of study.
- University of Arizona: At the University of Arizona, students who face challenges in learning will benefit from the SALT Center. Those who learn differently or have trouble focusing can take advantage of a variety of educational services. These services include getting personalized education assistance from Strategic Learning Specialists, training on how to better use technology, learning workshops and coaching. The Salt Center (Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques) provides academic support for students who need extra support in the classroom. Specialists are available to help students set goals and improve their academic performance, and there’s also regular tutoring, workshops, and psychological services.
- Northeastern University: Students with a learning disability, including ADHD, are eligible to enroll in Northeastern University’s Learning Disabilities Program (LDP). Through the LDP, students will meet with a specialist twice a week. These frequent meetings help students identify their academic goals and learning needs as well as develop skills that will be used throughout their academic career. Students will also have access to special accommodations as necessary. Located in Dodge Hall, the Disability Resource Center is well-known for its comprehensive Learning Disabilities Program (LDP).
- Hofstra University: Students at Hofstra University have the Program for Academic Learning Skills (PALS) available to them. PALS provides a learning specialist who follows each student throughout their college years. This specialist provides one-on-one instruction and advising and helps students tailor their curriculum to meet their academic and learning needs. Hofstra Student Access Services (SAS) walk students through the process of formally disclosing their disability to access SAS forms and full accommodation for classes and tests. This includes academic coaching and a dedicated testing lab with options for scribes, readers, alternate format exams, and assistive technology.
- University of Connecticut: The University of Connecticut is home to the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), whose mission is to help those with disabilities make the most of their college learning experience. The CSD provides comprehensive assistance and guidance. Resources include help with obtaining academic accommodations, academic advising, personal assistants, special instructors and mentoring. The Center for Students with Disabilities has an umbrella program called Beyond Access that helps students work smarter, not harder. Students are paired with a personal strategy instructor for 1-3 hour meetings each week.
- American University: American University’s Learning Services Program (LSP) is a one-year program that provides special benefits for freshman with learning disabilities, including weekly one-on-one meetings, exclusive classes, academic advising, course selection consulting, writing tutors and mentorship from upperclassmen. Weekly writing tutoring and student mentor meetups are also offered in addition to individualized course advising as part of the Learning Services Program. The school aims to build strong relationships and support plans for students in their first year so they don’t miss out on any opportunities. After their freshman year, students can continue to receive assistance through American University’s Academic Support and Access Center.
- Curry College: Curry College is home to the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), a special program for college students who have a variety of learning challenges. One of the first of its kind, PAL creates a special learning community where students can receive strategies and tips in a one-on-one and small group environment. Students of PAL, however, are still fully mainstreamed. Disability Services at Curry College include specialized services for students with ADHD. Sessions with academic advisors and life coaches also make a difference to Curry College students who have a learning disability but still want to make their college dreams a reality.
- Mitchell College: Thames is a college transition program for incoming students at Mitchell College. Thames is available to any student who may need additional guidance in preparing for personal and academic college life, including those with disabilities like ADHD. Participants will receive customized coursework and individualized advising from faculty members. Accessibility Services at Mitchell College are extensive, especially with the Bentsen Learning Center that empowers students to overcome the challenges of their learning disability. Students at Mitchell College have professional and peer support to improve their time management and professional development, and there are multiple tiers to the learning center program so students can keep growing and developing their skills.
- Muskingum University: The PLUS Program began in 1983 and continues to provide tailored help to students with disabilities. Students have the option of enrolling in any of the three PLUS Program levels and may receive services that include personalized learning instruction, weekly meetings, academic coaching, access to professional Learning Consultants and mentorships. The Muskingum Disability Education Office caters to students through the PLUS Program, which has been around since 1983. Rather than rescuing students, the school aims to empower them with different levels of fee-based support.
- University of Iowa: The University of Iowa’s Realizing Educational and Career Hopes (REACH) program is unique in that it’s a self-contained two-year certificate program for students with disabilities. REACH allows them to experience college life while also obtaining personal, academic and professional skills to help them live independently.
- Augsburg University: Augsburg University has the Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services (CLASS). Instead of leaving students on their own to obtain special accommodations, CLASS works with them to identify their specific academic and personal needs. Not only do students receive the accommodations they are legally entitled to, but they also learn valuable organizational, learning and time management skills that will help them throughout their academic and professional career.
- Davis & Elkins College: Davis & Elkins College offers the opportunity to participate in the Supported Learning Program (SLP). To enroll in the SLP, students will need to complete a separate application. Once accepted, students receive a wide range of comprehensive services, including weekly meetings, supervised study hall, help with time management skills, regular progress monitoring, a study skills class and access to assistive technology.
- McDaniel College: McDaniel College’s Student Accessibility and Support Services provides the additional assistance students may need to make the most of their academic career. Notable programs include receiving necessary accommodations for recognized disabilities; special workshops to develop life skills, such as time management, organization, and interviewing and socialization; group support from fellow students; one-on-one sessions with an academic advisor and the ability to move onto campus five days early.
- University of Denver: Students with a history of learning in a unique way can benefit from the University of Denver’s Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP). By enrolling in LEP, students with ADHD and other learning challenges will receive personalized counseling, tutoring, peer mentoring, skill building training and social skill building assistance. Students receiving services from LEP take the same courses as the general student body. The Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) has been around since 1982 and accommodates up to 300 students every year. It’s led by students for students, with instructional support and professional counselors available as well. This unique program is meant to motivate and encourage students to lead the way when it comes to supporting their peers and ensuring everyone has a fair chance.
- Beacon College: Beacon College is one of the few schools in the United States specifically created to help students with learning disabilities. In addition to classroom and personal support services, Beacon College keeps class sizes small to allow for more attention from faculty members. The school also incorporates professional skills and training into the curriculum to ensure graduating students are prepared to enter the workforce.
- Dean College: At Dean College, incoming students with learning disabilities have the option of enrolling in the Arch Learning Community (ALC). The ALC provides personalized coaching, access to smaller classes, weekly seminars and academic advising that goes above and beyond what students in the general study body receive. ALC is available in one-year increments, so students can choose to enroll anytime throughout their college experience.
- Lynn University: At Lynn University, students with learning disabilities can enroll in the Institute for Achievement and Learning (IAL). The hallmark of the IAL is academic coaching, where certified individuals provide learning strategies. Other services for IAL students include access to assistive technology and multi-faceted tutoring, which allows for one-on-one instruction in a specific class subject. Group tutoring and academic skills tutoring are available as well.
- Marist College: Marist College has been accepting students with learning disabilities for over 50 years. As a result, it has created the Learning Support Program (LSP). The focus of the LSP is to teach students with learning disabilities how to work independently with the goal of long-term professional and personal development. Learning disability specialists are available to work not only with students, but with their course professors as well. Students can expect to improve their writing, time management and organizational skills. Eligible students can receive accommodations through the LSP, including note takers, personal readers and adaptive testing procedures.
- West Virginia Wesleyan College: To help students with learning disabilities, West Virginia Wesleyan College developed the Mentor Advantage Program (MAP). As the name implies, MAP focuses on helping students through mentorship while also providing additional assistance and services. These services include subject-specific tutoring, organizational skill development, teaching learning strategies and structured study sessions.
Additional Colleges to Consider:
- Adelphi University
- Southern Methodist University
- UC Irvine
- University of Vermont
- DePaul University
- Marshall University
- Nicholls State University
- Ashland University
- Limestone University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Daemen College
- Mount Saint Joseph University
- East Tennessee State University
Navigating College Life with ADHD
College is a tremendous investment in time, money and effort. And while the college years might hold additional challenges for those with ADHD, these students should by no means avoid the experience. Success is more likely to come to those who are well informed, so it’s important to keep certain things in mind when choosing a school and starting the educational journey.
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- Be Prepared to Advocate: Students with ADHD are usually entitled to reasonable accommodations on campus. However, the burden is on the student to identify what these accommodations are, to request the accommodations and to provide the information necessary to substantiate the request.
- Have Realistic Expectations: Getting all As the first semester isn’t easy for anyone and participating in extracurricular activities can add to the load. Students may want to take it slow at first in order to keep their focus on completing their program.
- Stay Positive: It’s important to remember that college success comes to those who put forth the effort, regardless of a student’s specific circumstances. Students with ADHD can certainly achieve their academic goals with right mindset.
Accommodations and Strategies for Success
A college or university that receives federal funding is required to provide accommodations to students with disabilities as long as those students meet certain guidelines in accordance with federal law. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit the discrimination on the basis of a student’s disability. These laws also require colleges and universities to take steps to allow students with disabilities to have the same academic opportunities as their non-disabled peers. To prepare for college, students with a learning disability should gather all their documentation and contact the disability resource office to start getting special accommodation sorted. The sooner students reach out to discuss their needs, the smoother the transition will be.
Some common accommodations include:
- Extra test time
- Reduced course loads
- Notetaking assistance
- Recorded lectures
- Priority registration
- Alternative textbook formats
- Distraction-reduced testing environments
- Assistive technology
In addition to accommodations, students can employ various strategies to manage their ADHD and succeed in college:
- Effective time management
- Utilizing campus resources
- Building relationships with faculty
- Exploring ADHD-specific scholarships
- Staying organized
- Breaking down tasks into smaller steps
- Seeking support from friends, family, and support groups
- Self-advocacy
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