Colleges for smart kids with learning disabilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any large or very competitive schools. So not UVA, W&M, VA Tech, UMD, for example.

Aim for schools like Mary Washington,
St. Mary's, JMU, Elon etc...

VT is thankfully not high strung enough to be avoided by people with LDs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3-4 hours from MCPS, I’d look at SMCM, Goucher, Loyola MD, Dickinson, St. Joe’s, Bryn Mawr, and Mary Washington to name a few schools that are supportive and nurturing for smart kids with accommodation needs. I bet your student would qualify for merit aid and scholarships at several with that high GPA!

Colleges that Change Lives could also provide a helpful starting point list.

https://ctcl.org/

+1 my ADHD kid who ended up at Juniata considered most of these too. I think all would have been fine for ADHD supports. (Her decision came down to environmental and music programs)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think small and mid-sized colleges that prioritize undergraduate education would be better than huge RI universities where your kid may be taught by grad students in lecture classes of 100+ students.

I'd look at American, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and William & Mary to start.

Scratch W&M. I have a kid there with ADHD who does not need accommodations at this point. She says if she did, she’s be in trouble. Love the school. But it’s a hard a## about ADHD accommodations.

Sent a different ADHD kid who needed more accommodations Oberlin and was very pleased with how the school handled it.

Uh-oh. My kid with SLD and ADHD just committed to W&M! She was sold by the size, campus, and undergrad focus. I’ve just started working with the accessibility office but I’ve been encouraged so far. I’ll report back once I’ve got more data.

I’m the PP. and do not want to panic anyone. This is sample size one kid— with ADHD— who has done exceptionally well at W&M. She has not needed accommodations— like many smart women, she compensates for low PS/ high GAI well. And she worked with an EF coach in HS and was prepared to manage the load. And paid attention each semester to course balance— not all reading or writing or. Labs in one semester— a mix of classes so she didn’t have, say, two classes reading 500 page novels. Also like many women with ADHD, she has anxiety, and WM was exceptionally helpful at sitting with her and helping her find good, walkable counseling on our insurance (as in the school evaluated her to see if short term, on campus counseling would work. When she decided she wanted more than that, they scheduled three sessions, helped her write emails to therapists and screen therapists and set up appointments with a couple so she could choose a good fit, vs kids I know at other schools who were handed a list and told good luck). This was at one point when some situational stressors made her decide to get help with the anxiety.

Her opinion that W&M isnt accommodating isn’t first hand experience. She is going off of what friends say about getting things like extensions of time. Which is not that it isn’t granted. But more that they require the documentation to all be there and will only give what the documentation shows. Basically, she says friends say it’s a PITA. Not that it isn’t there. I don’t want to panic anyone. For all I know, these friends don’t have the testing and are asking for more informal extensions, which W&M isn’t generous about.

As a parent of an ADHD kid, I will say this. COLL 100s are 4 credits and they must take one each of the first 2 semesters. Any foreign language classes are 4 credits. They need 2 fine arts credits. Kids usually come in with a decent amount of APs. Mine is graduating next year on time (8 semesters plus a summer abroad program) with two very demanding majors, both of which required a lot of pre-recs before she got to the major itself. She needs only 5 classes senior year to graduate with both majors and 3 to graduate with a major and a minor. She could technically get out a semester early with a double major, and easily with a major and a minor. But she loves it, it’s paid for, and I want her to have a wonderful, fun, (hard working) full senior year, and enjoy her friends, the traditions, the works. She took 4 classes instead of 5 both semesters freshman year (15 credits, because 2 COLL 100s at 4 credits each and 2 foreign language at 4 each and 2 1 credit music classes both freshman semesters, plus 2 3 credits classes— I’m not counting her 1 credit instrument lesson that was pass fail as a class). This was an excellent call. Some kids take 5 because they are all over achievers. There is no reason to do that a freshman with ADHD. Encourage your kid to take 4 classes instead of 5 while they get their footing— even if no foreign language and it’s 14 credits. Better to do 4 well and get decent grades and a solid start to college than 5 and falter and start in the hole grade wise.

Good luck, and Welcome to the Tribe!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. It was helpful to me and others I’m sure. I will definitely encourage DD to take 4 classes freshman year if she can. If a freshman had 4 years of language in HS, aren’t they excused from the language requirement?

Omg, why would you send your LD kid to W&M? That is just irresponsible.

Plenty of high-stats twice exceptional children who also have learning disabilities go to top schools. Each child is different but it’s wrong to suggest no kids with LDs should ever attend a certain school. That feeds into a lot of false narratives about learning disabilities.

I’m the irresponsible parent sending my kid to W&M. She was accepted based on the merits of her academic record and all she’ll bring to the school. She’s smart, driven, hard working, and high performing. She’s clearly qualified or she wouldn’t have gotten in. She beat out 75% of her high performing classmates to earn a spot at W&M. Why wouldn’t a top performer go to a top school?

Adding on to dispel some myths about LD kids. DD’s comprehension and analytical scores are in the 96th-98th percentile and her processing speed is in the 4th percentile. She’s done just fine with extra time on tests and assignments. That’a all she really needs to show what she knows. Hopefully she’ll get those supports at W&M.

Reporting back to share that DD had her first meeting with SAS (Student Accessibility Services) and was granted all the accommodations she requested, including a couple that she didn't know to request (adaptive note taking, use of a laptop in class, and priority registration). As a parent, I found the process extremely welcoming, efficient, and anxiety relieving. She submitted her paperwork on Monday, received an email with slots meeting automatically with her confirmation, and had her intake meeting that week. Her intake coordinator thanked her for getting her request in early - not only did she beat the rush, but it also made the process more relaxed. I advise other incoming freshmen to submit documentation as soon as possible, keeping in mind that students are taking finals soon and accessibility offices will be busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think small and mid-sized colleges that prioritize undergraduate education would be better than huge RI universities where your kid may be taught by grad students in lecture classes of 100+ students.

I'd look at American, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and William & Mary to start.

Scratch W&M. I have a kid there with ADHD who does not need accommodations at this point. She says if she did, she’s be in trouble. Love the school. But it’s a hard a## about ADHD accommodations.

Sent a different ADHD kid who needed more accommodations Oberlin and was very pleased with how the school handled it.

Uh-oh. My kid with SLD and ADHD just committed to W&M! She was sold by the size, campus, and undergrad focus. I’ve just started working with the accessibility office but I’ve been encouraged so far. I’ll report back once I’ve got more data.

I’m the PP. and do not want to panic anyone. This is sample size one kid— with ADHD— who has done exceptionally well at W&M. She has not needed accommodations— like many smart women, she compensates for low PS/ high GAI well. And she worked with an EF coach in HS and was prepared to manage the load. And paid attention each semester to course balance— not all reading or writing or. Labs in one semester— a mix of classes so she didn’t have, say, two classes reading 500 page novels. Also like many women with ADHD, she has anxiety, and WM was exceptionally helpful at sitting with her and helping her find good, walkable counseling on our insurance (as in the school evaluated her to see if short term, on campus counseling would work. When she decided she wanted more than that, they scheduled three sessions, helped her write emails to therapists and screen therapists and set up appointments with a couple so she could choose a good fit, vs kids I know at other schools who were handed a list and told good luck). This was at one point when some situational stressors made her decide to get help with the anxiety.

Her opinion that W&M isnt accommodating isn’t first hand experience. She is going off of what friends say about getting things like extensions of time. Which is not that it isn’t granted. But more that they require the documentation to all be there and will only give what the documentation shows. Basically, she says friends say it’s a PITA. Not that it isn’t there. I don’t want to panic anyone. For all I know, these friends don’t have the testing and are asking for more informal extensions, which W&M isn’t generous about.

As a parent of an ADHD kid, I will say this. COLL 100s are 4 credits and they must take one each of the first 2 semesters. Any foreign language classes are 4 credits. They need 2 fine arts credits. Kids usually come in with a decent amount of APs. Mine is graduating next year on time (8 semesters plus a summer abroad program) with two very demanding majors, both of which required a lot of pre-recs before she got to the major itself. She needs only 5 classes senior year to graduate with both majors and 3 to graduate with a major and a minor. She could technically get out a semester early with a double major, and easily with a major and a minor. But she loves it, it’s paid for, and I want her to have a wonderful, fun, (hard working) full senior year, and enjoy her friends, the traditions, the works. She took 4 classes instead of 5 both semesters freshman year (15 credits, because 2 COLL 100s at 4 credits each and 2 foreign language at 4 each and 2 1 credit music classes both freshman semesters, plus 2 3 credits classes— I’m not counting her 1 credit instrument lesson that was pass fail as a class). This was an excellent call. Some kids take 5 because they are all over achievers. There is no reason to do that a freshman with ADHD. Encourage your kid to take 4 classes instead of 5 while they get their footing— even if no foreign language and it’s 14 credits. Better to do 4 well and get decent grades and a solid start to college than 5 and falter and start in the hole grade wise.

Good luck, and Welcome to the Tribe!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. It was helpful to me and others I’m sure. I will definitely encourage DD to take 4 classes freshman year if she can. If a freshman had 4 years of language in HS, aren’t they excused from the language requirement?

Omg, why would you send your LD kid to W&M? That is just irresponsible.

What is wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think small and mid-sized colleges that prioritize undergraduate education would be better than huge RI universities where your kid may be taught by grad students in lecture classes of 100+ students.

I'd look at American, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and William & Mary to start.

Scratch W&M. I have a kid there with ADHD who does not need accommodations at this point. She says if she did, she’s be in trouble. Love the school. But it’s a hard a## about ADHD accommodations.

Sent a different ADHD kid who needed more accommodations Oberlin and was very pleased with how the school handled it.

Uh-oh. My kid with SLD and ADHD just committed to W&M! She was sold by the size, campus, and undergrad focus. I’ve just started working with the accessibility office but I’ve been encouraged so far. I’ll report back once I’ve got more data.

I’m the PP. and do not want to panic anyone. This is sample size one kid— with ADHD— who has done exceptionally well at W&M. She has not needed accommodations— like many smart women, she compensates for low PS/ high GAI well. And she worked with an EF coach in HS and was prepared to manage the load. And paid attention each semester to course balance— not all reading or writing or. Labs in one semester— a mix of classes so she didn’t have, say, two classes reading 500 page novels. Also like many women with ADHD, she has anxiety, and WM was exceptionally helpful at sitting with her and helping her find good, walkable counseling on our insurance (as in the school evaluated her to see if short term, on campus counseling would work. When she decided she wanted more than that, they scheduled three sessions, helped her write emails to therapists and screen therapists and set up appointments with a couple so she could choose a good fit, vs kids I know at other schools who were handed a list and told good luck). This was at one point when some situational stressors made her decide to get help with the anxiety.

Her opinion that W&M isnt accommodating isn’t first hand experience. She is going off of what friends say about getting things like extensions of time. Which is not that it isn’t granted. But more that they require the documentation to all be there and will only give what the documentation shows. Basically, she says friends say it’s a PITA. Not that it isn’t there. I don’t want to panic anyone. For all I know, these friends don’t have the testing and are asking for more informal extensions, which W&M isn’t generous about.

As a parent of an ADHD kid, I will say this. COLL 100s are 4 credits and they must take one each of the first 2 semesters. Any foreign language classes are 4 credits. They need 2 fine arts credits. Kids usually come in with a decent amount of APs. Mine is graduating next year on time (8 semesters plus a summer abroad program) with two very demanding majors, both of which required a lot of pre-recs before she got to the major itself. She needs only 5 classes senior year to graduate with both majors and 3 to graduate with a major and a minor. She could technically get out a semester early with a double major, and easily with a major and a minor. But she loves it, it’s paid for, and I want her to have a wonderful, fun, (hard working) full senior year, and enjoy her friends, the traditions, the works. She took 4 classes instead of 5 both semesters freshman year (15 credits, because 2 COLL 100s at 4 credits each and 2 foreign language at 4 each and 2 1 credit music classes both freshman semesters, plus 2 3 credits classes— I’m not counting her 1 credit instrument lesson that was pass fail as a class). This was an excellent call. Some kids take 5 because they are all over achievers. There is no reason to do that a freshman with ADHD. Encourage your kid to take 4 classes instead of 5 while they get their footing— even if no foreign language and it’s 14 credits. Better to do 4 well and get decent grades and a solid start to college than 5 and falter and start in the hole grade wise.

Good luck, and Welcome to the Tribe!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. It was helpful to me and others I’m sure. I will definitely encourage DD to take 4 classes freshman year if she can. If a freshman had 4 years of language in HS, aren’t they excused from the language requirement?

Omg, why would you send your LD kid to W&M? That is just irresponsible.

Plenty of high-stats twice exceptional children who also have learning disabilities go to top schools. Each child is different but it’s wrong to suggest no kids with LDs should ever attend a certain school. That feeds into a lot of false narratives about learning disabilities.

I’m the irresponsible parent sending my kid to W&M. She was accepted based on the merits of her academic record and all she’ll bring to the school. She’s smart, driven, hard working, and high performing. She’s clearly qualified or she wouldn’t have gotten in. She beat out 75% of her high performing classmates to earn a spot at W&M. Why wouldn’t a top performer go to a top school?

Adding on to dispel some myths about LD kids. DD’s comprehension and analytical scores are in the 96th-98th percentile and her processing speed is in the 4th percentile. She’s done just fine with extra time on tests and assignments. That’a all she really needs to show what she knows. Hopefully she’ll get those supports at W&M.

Reporting back to share that DD had her first meeting with SAS (Student Accessibility Services) and was granted all the accommodations she requested, including a couple that she didn't know to request (adaptive note taking, use of a laptop in class, and priority registration). As a parent, I found the process extremely welcoming, efficient, and anxiety relieving. She submitted her paperwork on Monday, received an email with slots meeting automatically with her confirmation, and had her intake meeting that week. Her intake coordinator thanked her for getting her request in early - not only did she beat the rush, but it also made the process more relaxed. I advise other incoming freshmen to submit documentation as soon as possible, keeping in mind that students are taking finals soon and accessibility offices will be busy.

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know, which you probably do, every school is bound by law to give the child 504 accommodations (for now, anyway). My LD kid was at a small private college and transferred to a large public. The large was actually better about accommodations. It is not a good place for a kid without the EF to be independent, though.

Your search will depend on which accommodations are needed (how much. Handholding for lack of a better terminology). Some schools that hand hold more may not be as academically challenging for a very bright kid.

This is incorrect. This is only for K-12 education. Colleges can do whatever they want, which is why this is great question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know, which you probably do, every school is bound by law to give the child 504 accommodations (for now, anyway). My LD kid was at a small private college and transferred to a large public. The large was actually better about accommodations. It is not a good place for a kid without the EF to be independent, though.

Your search will depend on which accommodations are needed (how much. Handholding for lack of a better terminology). Some schools that hand hold more may not be as academically challenging for a very bright kid.

This is incorrect. This is only for K-12 education. Colleges can do whatever they want, which is why this is great question.

No. Colleges do not have to give IEPs and remediate but they are bound by the ADA.

[Anonymous]

It’s been a very long time since she attended, so things might have changed, but I had a friend who did very well at West Virginia Wesleyan through their learning center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:3-4 hours from MCPS, I’d look at SMCM, Goucher, Loyola MD, Dickinson, St. Joe’s, Bryn Mawr, and Mary Washington to name a few schools that are supportive and nurturing for smart kids with accommodation needs. I bet your student would qualify for merit aid and scholarships at several with that high GPA!

Colleges that Change Lives could also provide a helpful starting point list.

https://ctcl.org/

+1 my ADHD kid who ended up at Juniata considered most of these too. I think all would have been fine for ADHD supports. (Her decision came down to environmental and music programs)

Would add McDaniel and Hood College to list - lots of merit, smart kids and support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think small and mid-sized colleges that prioritize undergraduate education would be better than huge RI universities where your kid may be taught by grad students in lecture classes of 100+ students.

I'd look at American, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and William & Mary to start.

Scratch W&M. I have a kid there with ADHD who does not need accommodations at this point. She says if she did, she’s be in trouble. Love the school. But it’s a hard a## about ADHD accommodations.

Sent a different ADHD kid who needed more accommodations Oberlin and was very pleased with how the school handled it.

Uh-oh. My kid with SLD and ADHD just committed to W&M! She was sold by the size, campus, and undergrad focus. I’ve just started working with the accessibility office but I’ve been encouraged so far. I’ll report back once I’ve got more data.

I’m the PP. and do not want to panic anyone. This is sample size one kid— with ADHD— who has done exceptionally well at W&M. She has not needed accommodations— like many smart women, she compensates for low PS/ high GAI well. And she worked with an EF coach in HS and was prepared to manage the load. And paid attention each semester to course balance— not all reading or writing or. Labs in one semester— a mix of classes so she didn’t have, say, two classes reading 500 page novels. Also like many women with ADHD, she has anxiety, and WM was exceptionally helpful at sitting with her and helping her find good, walkable counseling on our insurance (as in the school evaluated her to see if short term, on campus counseling would work. When she decided she wanted more than that, they scheduled three sessions, helped her write emails to therapists and screen therapists and set up appointments with a couple so she could choose a good fit, vs kids I know at other schools who were handed a list and told good luck). This was at one point when some situational stressors made her decide to get help with the anxiety.

Her opinion that W&M isnt accommodating isn’t first hand experience. She is going off of what friends say about getting things like extensions of time. Which is not that it isn’t granted. But more that they require the documentation to all be there and will only give what the documentation shows. Basically, she says friends say it’s a PITA. Not that it isn’t there. I don’t want to panic anyone. For all I know, these friends don’t have the testing and are asking for more informal extensions, which W&M isn’t generous about.

As a parent of an ADHD kid, I will say this. COLL 100s are 4 credits and they must take one each of the first 2 semesters. Any foreign language classes are 4 credits. They need 2 fine arts credits. Kids usually come in with a decent amount of APs. Mine is graduating next year on time (8 semesters plus a summer abroad program) with two very demanding majors, both of which required a lot of pre-recs before she got to the major itself. She needs only 5 classes senior year to graduate with both majors and 3 to graduate with a major and a minor. She could technically get out a semester early with a double major, and easily with a major and a minor. But she loves it, it’s paid for, and I want her to have a wonderful, fun, (hard working) full senior year, and enjoy her friends, the traditions, the works. She took 4 classes instead of 5 both semesters freshman year (15 credits, because 2 COLL 100s at 4 credits each and 2 foreign language at 4 each and 2 1 credit music classes both freshman semesters, plus 2 3 credits classes— I’m not counting her 1 credit instrument lesson that was pass fail as a class). This was an excellent call. Some kids take 5 because they are all over achievers. There is no reason to do that a freshman with ADHD. Encourage your kid to take 4 classes instead of 5 while they get their footing— even if no foreign language and it’s 14 credits. Better to do 4 well and get decent grades and a solid start to college than 5 and falter and start in the hole grade wise.

Good luck, and Welcome to the Tribe!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this. It was helpful to me and others I’m sure. I will definitely encourage DD to take 4 classes freshman year if she can. If a freshman had 4 years of language in HS, aren’t they excused from the language requirement?

Omg, why would you send your LD kid to W&M? That is just irresponsible.

What is wrong with you?

+ 100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just so you know, which you probably do, every school is bound by law to give the child 504 accommodations (for now, anyway). My LD kid was at a small private college and transferred to a large public. The large was actually better about accommodations. It is not a good place for a kid without the EF to be independent, though.

Your search will depend on which accommodations are needed (how much. Handholding for lack of a better terminology). Some schools that hand hold more may not be as academically challenging for a very bright kid.

This is incorrect. This is only for K-12 education. Colleges can do whatever they want, which is why this is great question.

No. Colleges do not have to give IEPs and remediate but they are bound by the ADA.

Of course they are, but they don’t have to give extended time or any of the things that are considered usual in a school setting. Many parents are not aware that the IEP or 504 don’t just “got with” their kid. Many professors and schools will not feel that things like extra time or quiet setting are reasonable requests. And many students get extra help from parents or their special ed team with organizing their workload in high school. That’s why it’ important to research in advance to see what schools are truly accommodating and have great access to necessary supports and which ones constantly push back and refuse requests.
https://adata.org/factsheet/postsecondary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD with ADHD is doing well at Juniata College. The biggest help has been a dedicated executive function coach (who is also a psychology professor). Professors have generally been very flexible and accommodating.

I am an IEC and was very impressed with Juniata. I also think Goucher, McDaniel, Hofstra, Adelphi and Marist are potential options with a reputation for good learning supports.