Junior in HS with low IQ - what happens after HS?

[Anonymous]

Well I’m at the stage that I need to start thinking about life after high school for my rising junior who has a low iq and multiple learning disabilities. I have received some good advice on this before and I’m hoping maybe some of you who have been in a similar situation with your kid can help me out.

My kid struggles tremendously in school. He needs tons of support. He’s going to a school that really holds his hand throughout everything. He’s a slow learner and processor. He’s grade levels behind his actual grade. He can’t go to a regular college however I can’t believe he’s done with learning, he has so much to learn and I don’t feel I can send him to get a job right after high school graduation.

Ideas or programs recommended for this type of student are much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

How low is his IQ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How low is his IQ?

Just under 80

[Anonymous]

Help him to get an apprenticeship. Traditional school is not his thing, stop forcing it. Make sure he had real life skills to support himself. Tradesmen can make lots of money and you don't need an MBA to own your own business. He needs to learn where to go for information rather than having or processing the information himself- just like Henry Ford. He doesn't need to be smart to surround himself with smart people.

[Anonymous]

What state do you live in? DORS in Maryland has many programs.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I would also look into programs like this. https://www.sunflowerbakery.org/

[Anonymous]

https://dors.maryland.gov/consumers/WTC/Pages/default.aspx

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Help him to get an apprenticeship. Traditional school is not his thing, stop forcing it. Make sure he had real life skills to support himself. Tradesmen can make lots of money and you don't need an MBA to own your own business. He needs to learn where to go for information rather than having or processing the information himself- just like Henry Ford. He doesn't need to be smart to surround himself with smart people.

Agreed. We have many lawyers and doctors in my family, but my plumber uncle is the richest of us all. Happiest too, and retired the earliest.

An apprenticeship in a trade is great. Electrician might be beyond him, but HVAC or something. It can’t be outsourced and it’s a long way from AI stealing it, so it’s fairly future proof too.

[Anonymous]

Do you think the score is accurate? What are his strengths? Have you gotten involved with vocational rehabilitation-they also help with schooling.
I ask bc my daughter scored an 81 in 5th grade but I’m not sure how accurate it is. I think it’s probably closer to 90. She’s a talented piano player and swimmer, and she’s scores about grade level on all of her benchmarks. Headed to 7th now. She absolutely has adhd and some language deficits.

I see her starting at our local community college but I think that she could finish a 4 yr degree at a slower pace and with some help. She (and your kiddo) needs to look at jobs that play to their strengths-for her that is quick calculations, strong long term memory, and being resourceful. She has an interest in ASL and animals, so possibly interpreter or vet tech.

[Anonymous]

Some colleges have non degree programs for kids like this. Such as:

UMD - https://www.ihehub-umd.org/terps-exceed

Slippery Rock - https://www.sru.edu/academics/academic-services/services-for-students-with-disabilities/rock-life-program

[Anonymous]

It depends on his neuropsych and medical profile, OP. What does his neuropsych report detail, and what are the suggestions of his psychologist?

My son, who will attend college next month, cannot have an accurate full-scale IQ score calculated, because parts of his profile are extremely low, and other parts are extremely high, so the ensuing low-average score is meaningless. He has LDs, very low processing speed, but thanks to high verbal abilities, a ton of tutoring and school services and accommodations, he was able to do hoist himself to a high GPA and be admitted to university. An academic, highly structured, analytical sort of desk job is what he'd be good at - his motor and spatial issues preclude any type of manual job. He can't drive safely, for example, and he can barely follow Ikea instructions to put together simple furniture.

So what is your child good at? You need to explore his strengths, get him evaluated by experts, and find a trade school or (community) college that fits whatever it is. The goal for all our kids is financial independence. I'm not daring to hope for a social life or wife and kids. I just want my son to be functional enough to be independent when I'm gone.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into vocational rehabilitation services? They should be able to help with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Have you looked into vocational rehabilitation services? They should be able to help with this.

Was going to post this. There are job training programs out there that provide the needed support to enter the workforce and become self-supporting.

[Anonymous]

What does his IEP say? Doesn't every state have Transition to Adulthood services as part of the IEP? Are their different diploma tracks in his high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does his IEP say? Doesn't every state have Transition to Adulthood services as part of the IEP? Are their different diploma tracks in his high school?

I don't know if this might help give you some of the terminology you need to talk to his IEP team.

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/postsecondary-transition-guide-august-2020.pdf

I am in NC. My son's IQ is high 80s, but he also has LD. There is no way college is happening, and I think it would be a huge fight to get him in to our "occupational course of study" program in our public schools. So I'm homeschooling and will be seeking out the services from Vocational Rehabilitation on my own.