Competitive schools that are known for supporting students with ADHD or LD?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

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)

Surprised to see Notre Dame on this list. My son, who has ADHD is there now and he gets the very basic accommodations, which is extended time on assessments. But he has to remember to apply for it every year or every semester...can't remember. We worked with a college consultant who specializes in helping kids find schools that are strong with students with disabilities, and this councilor did not recommend Notre Dame based on the services offered. But this was son's dream school and he had the stats to get in. He is loving it by the way.

Would you be willing to share the names of the other schools your consultant recommended? TIA

[Anonymous]

I found this reference book helpful: The K&W Guide.
It recommends colleges that support students with learning differences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

Tech. We're all neurodivergent and prefer to hide behind our computer screens than interact with the public.

Neurodivergent person here, with ADHD in addition to other challenges. Disagree. I don't hide behind anything, let alone a computer screen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

I'm glad it was helpful! Look at Rose Hulman (even their English classes are tech focused) and WPI (must take 5 humanities classes, but can be tech focused art classes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

I like this point too. But then I think how hard choices are for my ASD student and think a more structured core curriculum might work better for them.

Here is a list of schools by flexibility of curriculum: https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/curricular-flexibility

Also, I think the Princeton Review guide to colleges includes this in their school profiles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

a place like WPI offers these sorts of humanities. My son took History of Science and Tech in Europe for a history requirement, Science and Scientists in Modern Literature as an English course, and hopes to take a capstone course called History of the Soviet Space Program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

a place like WPI offers these sorts of humanities. My son took History of Science and Tech in Europe for a history requirement, Science and Scientists in Modern Literature as an English course, and hopes to take a capstone course called History of the Soviet Space Program.

Those sound right up his ally! Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wonder how the DC will cope after college with those disabilities. I hope somehow it works for them, but I always wonder how they find suitable workplaces…

My 11th grader is autistic. School is really hard for him. The executive function demands of having 6 classes, having to socially interact with peers all day, having little control over the content of classes, not understanding things like analyzing literature in English class. But he will be amazing when he can work full time in a job related to his special interests. I know that because he has an internship this year and has none of the difficulties that he has at school.

I forgot to add that as we are looking at colleges, we're focusing less on the LD services from the school (they all offer basic accommodations and I will pay for a separate executive function coach anywhere) and more on keeping distribution requirements to a minimum/maximizing course choices.

NP—this resonates with me. I appreciate you bringing it up. When I look at schools, they all have a disability office. I’m not sure how a school gets categorized as a good supportive school. Extra time, quiet space for testing, single rooms all seem to be fairly basic accommodations that any school can meet provided the student applies for accommodations through the disability office.

But focusing on the distribution requirements—that’s an excellent idea. My STEM loving kid cannot stand English or History or really any subject that is not physics or math. If I could find a school that didn’t require that many credits outside of his intended major or even if the school offered something like English for Physicists, that would be great. Schools offer things like Calculus for non engineers—it would be great to offer humanities classes for the analytical type.

PP—thank you again for bringing this point up. It has helped me immensely.

I'm glad it was helpful! Look at Rose Hulman (even their English classes are tech focused) and WPI (must take 5 humanities classes, but can be tech focused art classes).

Rose Hulman is on his list. I’ll take a look at WPI. The humanities courses that other poster mentioned sound great.

[Anonymous]

American University

[Anonymous]

Carnegie Mellon was wonderful for my neurodivergent child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

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)

Surprised to see Notre Dame on this list. My son, who has ADHD is there now and he gets the very basic accommodations, which is extended time on assessments. But he has to remember to apply for it every year or every semester...can't remember. We worked with a college consultant who specializes in helping kids find schools that are strong with students with disabilities, and this councilor did not recommend Notre Dame based on the services offered. But this was son's dream school and he had the stats to get in. He is loving it by the way.

can you share the counselors contact?

[Anonymous]

I know of parents who have been happy with their gtld kids’ experiences at Yale and Rochester, fwiw. Obviously, a lot depends on the type of needs that your child has. UC Boulder is on Fiskes’ list for supportive larger schools - I don’t know everything they offer but I do know that they have free counseling services for every student. I believe NYU also has a lot of free services - tutors and possibly counseling (can’t remember).

[Anonymous]

Tips from BTDT parent of 1 late dc ADHD w/anxiety but highly social and 1 profound Dyslexia /ADHD innatentive labeled 2E/GTLD by multiple educators, doctors, etc. FWIW, we NEVER sought this dx. It's NOT a flex being an outlier on multiple levels. But if you have a child like this, it's imperative to research schools receptivity to neurodiversity in general.
Universities with well-regarded graduate schools in education and/or psychology are a good place to start. Also Catholic schools because they are supposed to put high priority on financial and academic accessibility. (I have no idea why. I'm not catholic.)

Visit disabilities office in person. What's the vibe? Is it well appointed, fully staffed, in prime location--not a basement. Search website and social media for posts from disabilities office and student groups about LD/ND. It should be VERY easy to find things showcasing LD/ND related to students or academics. If you have to dig for results on keywords like ADHD or dyslexia, it might not be as LD/ND-friendly. as it claims.

[Anonymous]

For our high stats with adhd, we found smaller private schools (10,000 students or less) had more robust support. This is pretty much what you would expect.