Competitive schools that are known for supporting students with ADHD or LD?
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Anonymous
| Dc has high stats and is very bright, but also has ADHD. Are there any good colleges that are better known for providing support to kids like this than others? |
Anonymous
If your kid is high stats, I am sure they have figured out how to cope with their ADHD during high school. Yes, all colleges provide extra time on exams with the proper documentation. What more does your DC need? I have 3 ADHD kids and they needed support in middle and early high school, but by college they had it figured out. |
Anonymous
Depends on the definition of competitive, of course. But here are a few with the names of departments/services you should ask about when applying. For the 1-in-5 people with Learning Disabilities like ADHD that are not related to intelligence, all colleges are required to provide reasonable accommodations. The schools below are more aware of neurodiversity and have experience with LD students. American University, D.C. LSP (Learning Services Program fee-based freshmen program)* Brown University, RI Student Accessibility Services University of Connecticut Beyond Access (fee-based)* Davidson College, NC Disability Resources George Washington University, D.C. Disability Support Services Howard University, DC Office of Student Services New York University Moses Center for Student Accessibility University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Accessibility Resources and Service Northeastern University, MA Learning Disabilities Program (LDP fee-based)* Notre Dame University, IN Accessibility Services Pennsylvania State University Student Disability Resources Syracuse University, NY The Center for Disability Resources Vassar College, NY Office for Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (AEO) |
Anonymous
I'm interested to see GW on this list. Are they known for being good for support? |
Anonymous
Glad to hear things have gone well for your kids. As you know better than most people, everyone's experience is different. High-performing kids with good stats are often overlooked or underdiagnosed. There's a big enough difference between schools that it is definitely worth asking upfront to save unnecessary stress and frustration later. |
Anonymous
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The first PP is so incredibly smug, and forgets that some people have serious disorders that don't just magically handle themselves the day you graduate from high school.
My 12th grader with severe ADHD and mild ASD, along with several medical diagnoses, will need extended time in college, at minimum, if not for a single room and single bathroom. He was accepted to McGill, St Andrews and severe colleges in the mid Atlantic. He is getting a full neuropsychological evaluation at Stixrud next week, since his old one is out of date, and we will work with the disability office of whichever college he picks. We know US universities tend to give better accommodations than ones abroad, so that is factoring into his decision. At the admitted student days we've attended, I noticed that certain colleges have a mental health and wellness panel where they talk about counseling/psychiatry/medical services. I assume those are the ones most likely to lend a sympathetic ear to students with such needs. McGill and our in-state flagship did not breathe a word about it. George Washington University had a whole session about it (with campus safety included, which makes sense, since it's right in the center of DC). |
Anonymous
We feel your pain as have same challenges on the horizon with younger GTLD teen. Our older extremely GTLD DC attended a UC with excellent supports. The student support office was terrific, as was the medical services center for students. However, the UCs are much harder to get in from out of state now, The list of competitive colleges with good student support services by PP above is worth checking out. Add U Arizona which reportedly has the largest student learning support center in the country. Locally, among less competitive but solid universities with good learning supports, it is worth checking out George Mason. I would also consider liberal arts colleges (liberal arts refers to only having undergraduate students not to only providing humanities majors). Many are very strong in STEM education, have smaller class sizes, and specialize in meeting the needs of undergraduates. For example, we are looking at St Mary’s College in south Maryland, a public liberal arts college. Here is a list by Petersons of good colleges that support students with LDs. https://www.petersons.com/blog/20-great-colle...arning-disabilities/ One last thing - very few students outgrow ADHD by the end of high school. The human brain does not finish maturing until mid twenties and many adults have to take steps to manage their ADHD as well. It is wise of you to consider universities and colleges that are more likely to support your child’s tertiary education journey. Please report back regarding what colleges made your final list as being good options. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Might not be competitive enough, but I was very impressed by the way the College of Wooster integrates learning support services with all other student support services (like career services, study abroad, etc), treating adhd coaching/support like just another aspect of growth and future planning, which of course it is. Those services are all in the same physical space, so it feels seamless. They also have prescribers for meds if needed; the wellness center apparently does monthly check-ins for kids who are being prescribed medication through the college so they can track sleep habits, etc. |
Anonymous
| McDaniel |
Anonymous
| Our son has had a good experience at Bowdoin (Dyslexia, ADHD, 2E). Supportive staff and no problems getting accommodations (extra time, special testing spaces, and use of audio books). He is also very good at advocating for himself. I honestly think that is a very big piece of success at college ....do you feel like your child is ready to navigate, advocate, and juggle the workload at a competitive school while also learning to live on their own? Have they done any summer pre-college programs? That was a huge step for our son and helped us all to realize that he was ready for that big step. |
Anonymous
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GWU has a 50-ish percent acceptance rate, so it might not be competitive in your eyes, but this is where my twice exceptional kid is studying and the Disability Office has been great. He has autism, ADHD and low processing speed, with a high IQ. They got him a single room with private bath as a freshman, and he has priority on it every year, because due to his asocial form of autism, it would be incredibly stressful for him to share a room. He has extended time for exams. He's happy there, with a satisfactory GPA and a quiet, minimally social environment. |
Anonymous
| Perhaps not competitive enough, but heard great things about Marist college (from the parent). |
Anonymous
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Our teen has adhd and is well adjusted. They thrive on developing personal relationships so we're looking at schools that offer the same environment- mostly LACs. School size is very important to us as well for the same reason.
The most important feature however is the surrounding healthcare system. University healthcare is sub-par for the most part and with adhd meds being in short supply, access to alterative provides and pharmacies is also something we're focused on. |
Anonymous
I have heard amazing things as well. It fairs well in job placement even though it is not talked about much on DCUM. It is also in a gorgeous setting and most student appear happy. |
Anonymous
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You might consider U of AZ - mostly because your child is likely to get a pretty big merit award and their SALT center is pretty well known.
One of the NY area schools is also pretty well known - I can't remember if it is Adelphi or Hofstra, though? I always confuse those 2. |